Gloria Whelan, Winner of a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for 'Homeless Bird' (Nov. 23, 2000)

The transcript features an interview with Gloria Whelan, discussing her novel 'Homeless Bird', which tells the story of a young Indian girl named Kohli. Whelan shares her inspiration, writing process, and the challenges of writing about different cultures. She reads an excerpt from the book, highlighting the imagery and themes. Whelan also talks about her transition to writing for young readers and how her poetry influences her fiction.

What is the main theme of Gloria Whelan's novel 'Homeless Bird'?

• A young girl's journey to independence

• A historical account of India

• A science fiction adventure

• A mystery thriller

What unexpected discovery does Kohli make about her husband Hari?

• He is a famous artist

• He is very young and ill

• He is secretly wealthy

• He is much older than her

How does Kohli begin to change her life after becoming a widow?

• By moving to a new city

• By learning to read and through her art

• By marrying again

• By starting a business

What inspired Gloria Whelan to write 'Homeless Bird'?

• An exhibit of Indian embroidery and the plight of widows

• A documentary on Indian culture

• A trip to India

• A conversation with an Indian friend

How does Gloria Whelan describe her experience of writing about places she has never visited?

• As a simple process

• As an impossible feat

• As a magical way to time travel

• As a challenging task

What event led Gloria Whelan to start writing young people's fiction?

• A childhood dream

• An experience with oil drilling on her property

• A request from a publisher

• A suggestion from a friend

How does winning an award affect Gloria Whelan's writing?

• It makes her complacent

• It has no effect

• It discourages her

• It sets a standard and pushes her to do better