Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace

By Author / Illustrator

Bali Rai

Genre

Historical Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9780702311741

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

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. "Engaging and insightful" Aisha, Historical Association UK. "Exciting and full of tension." Damian, Historical Association UK. 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

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Reviews

Hardit Singh Malik: World War One Flying Ace is the latest in the excellent series 'Voices' which focuses upon important but less well-known people in the past. It tells the story of Hardit Singh Malik, World War One's first Indian pilot.

This is an excellent book on many levels: Firstly, it is about World War 1 which I find is a topic less written about for younger readers. I liked the short chapters (the book has only 175 pages) which makes it accessible to children starting out on their own independent reading and with the current school focus on reading aloud, the simple style and language would work well here.

Secondly, Hardit wants to become a fighter pilot. The descriptions of being airborne in planes that today we can hardly imagine will stay in the air are at best heart-stopping and the readers who are interested in planes will appreciate the details given of the different bi-planes.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly this short book shines a light upon a young Sikh man whose bravery made an enormous contribution to the war effort. There is a strong thread running through about Hardit's religion and how he overcomes moments of racism and misunderstanding, and I can see how this could easily fit into a class discussion about diversity of race or religion. Hardit is also portrayed as a very honourable young man and the moments when he feels he has to stay true to his beliefs by not attending church or joining the French Red Cross could stimulate further valuable discussions about empathy.

The 'Voices' series is written to illuminate the hidden histories of people that have come from other countries and who have contributed to the society and age they lived in. Hardit Singh Malik is an important part of this, and the book deserves a place on every classroom bookshelf.

175 pages / Reviewed by Rachel Bolton