Winner of the 1928 Newbery Medal
"Writing out of his own experience as a boy in India, Dhan Gopal Mukerji tells how Gay Neck's master sent his prized pigeon to serve in Word War I, and of how, because of his exceptional training and his brave heart, Gay Neck served his new masters heroically. Winner of the 1928 Newbery Medal."--from the publisher
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Written by an Indian-American author this story of a beloved pigeon won the Newbery Medal in 1928. The pigeon, named for the iridescent colors on its neck, is cared for by an Indian boy. Gay-neck travels to Calcutta and eventually on to serve in World War I in France. The story incorporates Indian themes and Hindu folklore. It's a poetic, lyrical story filled with drama and action and even includes what we now refer to as PTSD when the Gay-Neck comes home from the war.
192 pages 978-0525304005 Ages 10-14
Keywords: World War I, heroes, India, pigeon, birds, historical fiction, war, diversity, diverse books, multicultural, Newbery Medal, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old, 13 year old, 14 year old, military, war
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
