Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar

I like the cover, though.

Anjali lives as a Brahman in a smallish town in India during the time of Gandhi.  Her father is a professor and her mother works as a translator for the top British official in her town.  One day her mother realizes she can no longer support the injustices she sees in her employer's service and instead joins the resistance movement. At first Anjali is reluctant to join her mother in wearing only homespun cloth and serving the "untouchables" but soon she comes to adopt the principals of Ahimsa (non-violence) and the brotherhood of all people.

This was an interesting story and the parallels between the desegregation of the castes is very similar to the racial desegregation that took place in the US.  I think that is why this book received starred reviews.  It was not because of the writing which was clunky and often awkward.  I often thought as I was reading, "wow Kelkar writes fiction about like I do"  (not a compliment).  Don't get me wrong, it was OK and a totally readable book.  It just wasn't even in the same league with something like Stars Beneath our Feet or Clayton Byrde Goes Underground.  If you are looking for books about this time period, Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan is probably better choice. (2017, 307 p)