The Samosa Rebellion

Critically acclaimed author Shanthi Sekaran makes her middle grade debut with this timely and stunning novel in which a young boy and his friends must rescue his grandmother from a relocation camp after their country’s descent into xenophobia. Perfect for fans of The Night Diary and Front Desk.

Before his grandmother moved from India to the island of Mariposa, Muki Krishnan’s life was good. But now? He has to share his bedroom with Paati, his grandmother, who snores like a bulldozer and wakes him up at dawn to do yoga.

Paati’s arrival coincides with even bigger changes in Mariposa. The president divides citizens into Butterflies—families who have lived in Mariposa for three generations—and Moths, who, like Muki’s family, are more recent immigrants. The changes are small at first. But then Muki and his friends find a camp being built to imprison Moths before sending them away. Soon after, his Paati is captured and taken there.

While devising Paati’s escape, Muki discovers that a secret rebellion is underway, and as he digs deeper, he realizes that rescuing Paati will be the fight of his life.

* Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year *

• Middle Grade Dystopian: The country of Mariposa is divided into Butterflies and Moths. For Muki and his family, being labeled a Moth puts them in terrible danger.
• A Heartfelt Grandmother Story: When Muki’s beloved Paati is taken to a detention camp, he knows he has to risk everything to get her back.
• Kids’ Activism and Rebellion: Muki discovers a secret resistance movement and joins the fight, proving that even kids can make a powerful difference against unfair systems.
• South Asian Main Characters: A moving story centered on an Indian-American boy, his family, and the grandmother who moves in from India, changing his life forever.