Other editions of book Shiva's Fire

By the Newbery Honor-winning author of ShabanuOn a day when fish leap among the stars and birds soar beneath the waters, a remarkable girl named Parvati is born in a village in the South of India. As she grows, she becomes known for the peculiar events that seem to spring from beneath her dancing feet, and is widely thought to have supernatural powers. When a great master of Indian classical dance comes to see for himself, he recognizes in Parvati a rare talent and invites her to study with him at his gurukulam in the city of Madras. There she commits herself to a rigorous and solitary program of study, dance, and devotion. But when she meets a boy with his own extraordinary powers, her life is turned upside down, and she must question the one thing of which she has always been most sure - that she was born to dance. In this powerful novel rich with mysticism, Suzanne Fisher Staples tells the poignant story of a strong girl who refuses to squander her magical gifts in the face of life's ordinary but perplexing mysteries.

Born during the worst storm ever seen by her small village in India, Parvati is both blessed and cursed with mysterious powers that confound her people. Wild animals flock to her; she is able to charm fish, birds, even deadly cobras. But Parvati's truly exceptional talent is her ability to dance like the Hindu god Shiva himself. At age 6, she hurls herself into a cooking fire and dances safely through the flames, emerging without a single burn. Naturally, these powers scare the other villagers. Only her mother Meenakshi loves and believes in her, protecting her from the their curious and hostile stares. The guru Pillai, a famous Indian dance teacher, hears of Parvati's talent and comes to offer her a position in his dance school, or "gurukulam," in the large city of Madras. Once there, she questions her destiny, or "dharma," as she experiences both a devastating loss and a blossoming romance; "...she thought about the mystery of dharma--how some things were very difficult to accept, while others opened as simply and as naturally as a flower." But through it all, the fire of Shiva burns within her, and Parvati knows that, despite all other callings, she was born to dance.

Parvati has always been different from the other children of her village in southern India. Some villagers think she has supernatural powers, but her talent for dancing is what really sets her apart. She leaves home and family to attend a special school in Madras, devoting herself to the study of Indian classical dance under a famous guru. But after coming into contact with a boy whose abilities are as special as her own, she questions her personal dharma or fate.

Recorded Books audiobook cassette unabridged, 6 cassettes 7.25 hours. Narrator Christina Moore. Born during the worst storm ever seen by her small village in India, Parvati is both blessed and cursed with mysterious powers that confound her people. Wild animals flock to her; she is able to charm fish, birds, even deadly cobras. But Parvati's truly exceptional talent is her ability to dance like the Hindu god Shiva himself. At age 6, she hurls herself into a cooking fire and dances safely through the flames, emerging without a single burn. Naturally, these powers scare the other villagers. Only her mother Meenakshi loves and believes in her, protecting her from the their curious and hostile stares. The guru Pillai, a famous Indian dance teacher, hears of Parvati's talent and comes to offer her a position in his dance school, or "gurukulam," in the large city of Madras. Once there, she questions her destiny, or "dharma," as she experiences both a devastating loss and a blossoming romance; "...she thought about the mystery of dharma--how some things were very difficult to accept, while others opened as simply and as naturally as a flower." But through it all, the fire of Shiva burns within her, and Parvati knows that, despite all other callings, she was born to dance.

Born in the South of India during a storm that destroys her village, Parvati is immediately recognized as a child with mystical abilities. As Parvati grows she feels compelled to dance as if music is a part of her body. But whenever she does, magical things happen. Regarded with fear and suspicion by the rest of the village, Parvati and her mother have a hard life until the day a master of classical dance comes to see her and offers her a chance to study with him. After years of sacrifice, Parvati is on the verge of realizing all of her dreams when she meets a young man born on the same day as she. He is someone who has magical abilities of his own. Now, for the first time, Parvati questions what her true destiny is. Suzanne Fisher Staples, author of Shabanu and Haveli has created a lyrical novel steeped in the traditions and customs of India. Christina Moore provides the perfect voice for Parvati, a spirited and dedicated heroine.