In this fascinating true story based on the life of Hardit
Singh Malik, discover the adventures of WWI's first Indian
pilot. “If the name Hardit Singh
Malik does not ring a bell, that's precisely the point of the
superb Voices series which takes unsung heroes of the past and imagines
them recounting the story of their remarkable lives”
- The Times 'Children's Book of the Week'
Hardit, who flew into battle high above the trenches of Passchendaele
on the hunt for the Red Baron, arrived in England at the
age of 14 to attend school.
Young Hardit was a devout Sikh and quick to defend himself when
anyone interfered with his turban. He went on to study at Balliol
College, Oxford, and played county cricket for Sussex.
When he tried to join up to help in the war effort, he was only
permitted to drive ambulances at the front. Instead he planned
to join the French air force before a former teacher intervened and
the Royal Flying Corps gave Hardit an 'honorary' commission as
a 2nd lieutenant flying Sopwith Camels.
About the series:
A thrilling series showcasing some of the UK’s finest
writers for young people
Voices reflects the authentic,
unsung stories of our past
Each shows
that, even in times of great upheaval, a myriad of people have
arrived on this island and made a home for themselves - from Roman
times to the present day
Perfect for teaching
children about inclusivity and diversity.
Praise for other books in the series:
Diver's Daughter
"a thrilling tale, with the expertly described Tudor world
brought to hideous, harsh life" BookTrust
"a uniquely fascinating perspective into life in Tudor times."
Books For Topics
"engaging and insightful" Aisha, Historical
Association UK
"exciting and full of tension" Damian, Historical
Son of the Circus
"E. L. Norry's Son of the Circus
is perfect for children with an itch to run away to spit and sawdust
and rearing horses, in a fictionalised account of Pablo Fanque,
the first black circus proprietor in Victorian Britain. A joy
of a book: exciting and brilliantly vivid.' Katherine
Rundell
This is Book 5 in the Voices Series. See all Voices books here.
See More True stories
See More Personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism
See More Adventure stories
See More Historical fiction
Bali Rai is a well-established, award-winning and hugely popular voice within the young adult fiction market. His particularly successful title Rani and Sukh became a set-text for GCSE English. His novel Killing Honour won the North East Teen Book Award, and was described as 'utterly compelling' by The Bookseller.
More about Bali Rai
