Heroes - Lives to Learn From
April
April
Forgiveness Graciousness & Courtesy Gentleness & Humility
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Born Mohandas Gandhi, this soft-spoken Indian lawyer turned anti-colonial nationalist, led a non-violent movement of protest to secure India's independence from Great Britain. Gandhi was renowned for his civil rights advocacy (beginning in South Africa), his identification with the poor, his parliamentary work to ameliorate poverty, expand women's rights, end the Hindu caste system's "untouchability," and ultimately ensure India's self-rule. But he was personally renowned for his gentleness, good humor, and courtesy. Gandhi was the embodiment of graciousness, ensuring that even his political opponents felt welcomed in his home. In one famous story, he invited political rival Muhammad Jinnah to his Malabar Hill home in Mumbai for negotiations. Jinnah mentioned that he was suffering from a painful rash on his foot. Gandhi insisted that he take off his sock so he could examine it. Taking the foot in his hand, Gandhi told Jinnah he knew just what it was he and would send a cream to cure it, which he did the next morning. (Legend has it that Jinnah returned the favor of graciousness: he failed to use the cream, but the next day assured Gandhi his pain was diminished.) Gandhi's non-violent resistance movement was deeply rooted in his own person. He had fought early battles with his own temper, and urged his children and grandchildren to turn away from anger and toward their opponents with courtesy and understanding. The title "Mahatma" means "great-souled," and is universally applied to him today.
Born Mohandas Gandhi, this soft-spoken Indian lawyer turned anti-colonial nationalist, led a non-violent movement of protest to secure India's independence from Great Britain. Gandhi was renowned for his civil rights advocacy (beginning in South Africa), his identification with the poor, his parliamentary work to ameliorate poverty, expand women's rights, end the Hindu caste system's "untouchability," and ultimately ensure India's self-rule. But he was personally renowned for his gentleness, good humor, and courtesy. Gandhi was the embodiment of graciousness, ensuring that even his political opponents felt welcomed in his home. In one famous story, he invited political rival Muhammad Jinnah to his Malabar Hill home in Mumbai for negotiations. Jinnah mentioned that he was suffering from a painful rash on his foot. Gandhi insisted that he take off his sock so he could examine it. Taking the foot in his hand, Gandhi told Jinnah he knew just what it was he and would send a cream to cure it, which he did the next morning. (Legend has it that Jinnah returned the favor of graciousness: he failed to use the cream, but the next day assured Gandhi his pain was diminished.) Gandhi's non-violent resistance movement was deeply rooted in his own person. He had fought early battles with his own temper, and urged his children and grandchildren to turn away from anger and toward their opponents with courtesy and understanding. The title "Mahatma" means "great-souled," and is universally applied to him today.
Grandfather Gandhi. Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus. Illustrated by Evan Turk. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014. (1-4)
A first-person narrative of Gandhi's grandson, who goes to live with his famous grandfather at a "service village" in India. The young boy resents sharing his grandfather with others and worries he will never live up to his grandfather's expectations. He has a temper. "How could he--a Gandhi--be so easy to anger?" In a soccer match, Arun's temper gets the better of him, and his grandfather has useful insight and advice. |
Gandhi. Demi. Margaret McElderry Books, 2001. 2-6
Demi's superb illustrations and sympathetic text bring Gandhi, "the father of India," to life. She follows the "great-souled" leader from shy, uncertain boy to driven lawyer working for civil rights, to confident parliamentary leader, whose focus on non-violence stressed uprooting anger and prejudice as much as overthrow. Gandhi and his campaign of non-violent resistance to colonial rule ("meeting challenges with humility and calm" ) was key in the nation's successful crusade for independence from Great Britain. |
Who Was Gandhi? Dana Meachen Rau.
Illustrated by Jerry Hoare. Scholastic, 2014 (3-5) A straightforward presentation of Gandhi's life and accomplishments for middle grades. This biography presents Mohandes Gandhi's childhood in a devout Muslim home, follows him through his childhood marriage, career in London, civil rights advocacy in South Africa, and then important political career in India, with an emphasis of course on non-violent resistance. |
Gandhi: The Young Protester Who Founded a Nation. Philip Wilkinson. National Geographic, 2007. (4-8)
A sixty-five page biography that is comprehensive and lively; richly illustrated with photographs, timelines and more. We follow Gandhi from his shy boyhood through to his nation-changing work for independence, and to his tragic assassination (owing in large part to his work for religious tolerance). |
Gandhi For Kids. His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities. Ellen Mahoney. Chicago Review, 2016. (5-8)
This is a colorfully written and well researched book. Single chapters could be read aloud if teachers wished (for example, "Gandhi's Legacy") or it could be supplementary material for students seeking a greater understanding. Teachers who are doing a unit on India or Gandhi will value the activities, which invite greater understanding of Indian culture.
This is a colorfully written and well researched book. Single chapters could be read aloud if teachers wished (for example, "Gandhi's Legacy") or it could be supplementary material for students seeking a greater understanding. Teachers who are doing a unit on India or Gandhi will value the activities, which invite greater understanding of Indian culture.
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
The first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had led the struggle to end apartheid in white-dominated South Africa. After years of activism and armed resistance to the white Afrikaner regime, Mandela was imprisoned. He spent 27 years behind bars (1963-1990) but time and justice were ultimately on his side. Released in 1990, he continued to lead negotiations for a multi-racial democracy, and eventually won the presidency. He was distinguished by his refusal to hate and his insistence on human dignity, reconciliation and "the politics of forgiveness."
Mandela led by example, building an unlikely friendship with his jailer. The story of his relationship with his prison guard of nearly three decades is a prime example of forgiveness in action. So too were his many national policies that encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation. He warned those who nurtured justifiable resentment that "resentment is like drinking poison, and hoping it will kill your enemies." The 2009 film Invictus popularized the true story of Mandela’s efforts to promote reconciliation through rugby. Here are some fine children’s treatments and one outstanding adult volume.
The first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had led the struggle to end apartheid in white-dominated South Africa. After years of activism and armed resistance to the white Afrikaner regime, Mandela was imprisoned. He spent 27 years behind bars (1963-1990) but time and justice were ultimately on his side. Released in 1990, he continued to lead negotiations for a multi-racial democracy, and eventually won the presidency. He was distinguished by his refusal to hate and his insistence on human dignity, reconciliation and "the politics of forgiveness."
Mandela led by example, building an unlikely friendship with his jailer. The story of his relationship with his prison guard of nearly three decades is a prime example of forgiveness in action. So too were his many national policies that encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation. He warned those who nurtured justifiable resentment that "resentment is like drinking poison, and hoping it will kill your enemies." The 2009 film Invictus popularized the true story of Mandela’s efforts to promote reconciliation through rugby. Here are some fine children’s treatments and one outstanding adult volume.
Nelson Mandela. (Rookie Biographies) Karima Grant.
Scholastic, 2005. (K-3)
A fine introduction and overview for young children.
Scholastic, 2005. (K-3)
A fine introduction and overview for young children.
Nelson Mandela. Long Walk to Freedom. Abridged by Chris Van Wyk.
Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. Flash Point, 2009. (2-4)
This is an abridged and simplified picture book version of Mandela’s own autobiography by the same name. Its length (64 pages) makes it appropriate for second graders and older.
Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. Flash Point, 2009. (2-4)
This is an abridged and simplified picture book version of Mandela’s own autobiography by the same name. Its length (64 pages) makes it appropriate for second graders and older.
“Nelson Mandela,” in Character is Destiny. John McCain with Mark Salter.
Random House, 2005, pp. 168-175. (Forgiveness, 5-6)
This compelling short biography of Nelson Mandela chronicles the unlikely friendship of James Gregory, South African jailer and his prisoner, Mandela. Here is the moving story of “the prisoner who forgave his jailer and helped his countrymen forgive one another.” Because of potentially disturbing descriptions of prisoner abuse, this story is recommended for middle school and up.
Random House, 2005, pp. 168-175. (Forgiveness, 5-6)
This compelling short biography of Nelson Mandela chronicles the unlikely friendship of James Gregory, South African jailer and his prisoner, Mandela. Here is the moving story of “the prisoner who forgave his jailer and helped his countrymen forgive one another.” Because of potentially disturbing descriptions of prisoner abuse, this story is recommended for middle school and up.
Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation.
John Carlin. Penguin Press, 2008. (Strong middle school readers and up).
This book is the riveting non-fiction account that inspired the 2009 movie Invictus(starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as the Springbok rugby coach). Strong middle and high school readers (and their teachers) will find this compelling story both inspirational and instructive. Not only is Mandela able to forgive his jailers, but he is able to transform hatred and antagonism into a source of national unity.
John Carlin. Penguin Press, 2008. (Strong middle school readers and up).
This book is the riveting non-fiction account that inspired the 2009 movie Invictus(starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as the Springbok rugby coach). Strong middle and high school readers (and their teachers) will find this compelling story both inspirational and instructive. Not only is Mandela able to forgive his jailers, but he is able to transform hatred and antagonism into a source of national unity.