Manjhi Moves a Mountain

September 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 3-The author of The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game brings the story of Dashrath Manjhi to life. Manjhi (1934-2007) lived in a village near Bihar, India, that was virtually cut off from the rest of the world due to its location behind a large mountain. It was a 34 mile walk to the nearest village with running water and medical facilities. As a member of the low Shudra caste, Manjhi was not seen as deserving of equal access to these services, but, driven by a desire to make life better for his fellow neighbors, he searched out a secondhand chisel and hammer and began to take down the mountain-by hand! His quest would take him 22 years and earn him ridicule from those who felt it was a fool's errand. In the end, Manjhi created a road 360 feet long that cut the journey down to nine miles. Popovici's pen and watercolor illustrations capture this poignant quest beautifully. Popovici deftly employs colors as emotions to capture Manjhi's transformation into a legend. This story will serve as a beacon for children (and adults) looking to make a real difference in their own communities, even in the face of others' disbelief and doubt. Back matter also includes a way for readers to share their own experiences with the author and other readers. VERDICT A finely illustrated true story to encourage social emotional learning that belongs in most collections.-Colleen S. Banick, Westport Public Schools, CT

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017
One determined man brings two villages together with a hammer, chisel, and an iron will. Deep in the heart of India, a mighty mountain separates two villages. Manjhi lives on one side, where nothing grows. On the other, rice and wheat flourish. The people there are affluent, while Manjhi's village struggles with hunger. Manjhi climbs to the top of the mountain to ponder this problem. When he throws a stone, it triggers a sprinkle of powder, which gives him an idea. Manjhi trades his trio of goats for a hammer and chisel. Hurrying back to the top of the mountain, he positions the chisel and strikes it with the hammer. Powdered rock and tiny chips spray. He continues until he's exhausted, but he's also filled with hope. Even though people tell him he's "crazy," day after day Manjhi returns to the mountain. After a year, Majhi is a little stronger, and the hole he has made a little deeper. He perseveres and, when he returns to his task each day, notices that others have continued his work. It takes 22 years, but Manjhi lives to see the day that two villages become one, sharing water, hopes, and dreams. Churnin's prose has an elegance appropriate for her inspiring tale, which is based on a true story. Popovich's double-page illustrations use a warm palette and are nicely composed. Heartening. (Picture book. 5-8)

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