  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 02/01/2015 Gr 7 Up—In this debut novel told in alternating points of view, one in poetry and one in prose, Bodger explores a future in which gender selection in India has led to there being five boys for every girl. The prose is captivating in its authenticity, portraying Kiran's point of view very well. The poetry is appropriately jarring and nuanced, showing many aspects of Sudasa's culture and lifestyle. Sudasa is about to come of age, meaning that she, along with many other girls just like her, will watch eight boys compete for her hand in marriage. Kiran is one of those boys, but he has a plan to escape the tests, his inevitable military assignment, and the oppression of his country. Sudasa struggles against her grandmother's strong and repressive influence, while Kiran battles pressures from the other boys in his testing group. Over days of trials and judging, Sudasa comes to realize that Kiran may have another agenda besides winning her hand in marriage. Meanwhile, Kiran comes to see that Sudasa is not just a power-hungry woman looking for a male companion to obey her every wish. What these two discover puts them on the cusp of changing their worlds forever. In a not-so-distant future, readers see the possibilities of giving too much power to one gender or the other, and the negative impact that inequality can have on young people and an entire country. VERDICT An engaging dystopian novel set in India that poignantly explores gender politics.—Eden Grey, Kenton County Public Library, KY - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 04/01/2015 In the year 2052, after a twisted outcome of the one-child laws in Koyanagar, India, boys outnumber girls five to one. The annual marriage “tests” of Sudasa—granddaughter of Nani, a renowned matriarch of the system—and her five suitors span three days and are witnessed by thousands. Bodger writes in verse narrative for Sudasa and in prose for Kiran (aka Contestant Five). While Sudasa’s name translates to “obedience,” that is certainly not the case—at 17, she is anything but obedient. She knows that Nani has stacked the deck in favor of her cousin, Contestant One, and Sudasa is not about to let that marriage happen. Test after test, from football to cooking to poetry, Kiran shows himself to be her true choice. However, Contestant Five has his own reasons for not wanting to be the chosen one, even if it means lifelong penance. Flavored by a South Asian cultural essence, this accessible dystopian novel builds readers’ belief in the driving message: to be fair to oneself. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. Loading...
 |