Finn, Mary. Anila's journey. Candlewick Press, 2008. ISBN 9780763639167. $16.99. 320 p.
Reviewer: Pat Frade
Reading Level: Young adult
Rating: Excellent
Genre: Historical fiction;
Subject: Self-reliance--Juvenile fiction; India--History--British occupation, 1765-1947--Juvenile fiction; Missing persons--Juvenile fiction; Books--Reviews;
In late eighteenth-century India, Anila Tandy's mother dies, leaving her alone. Her Irish father has been missing for many years, but Anila dreams of finding him. Anila has a talent for drawing and finds employment as an artist on a Ganges River birding expedition. Along the journey, she arrives at her mother’s childhood village and finds a clue to her father. Anila travels back to Calcutta and is determined to go find her father in Madras until unexpected news arrives.
This is a well-written historical fiction novel of Indian culture. At times the book is dry and readers may find it difficult to keep interest. Overall, for a first book, the author did a great job at telling a story and describing Indian characters and the surroundings.
Volume 30, no. 3 (January/February 2010)
