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The Freedom Seeker
"At once maddening and heartbreaking, The Freedom Seekers shows young readers there is also hope..." -- Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
In one girl’s relentless search for home and safety, The Freedom Seeker takes readers on a daring journey of displacement and immigration. Illuminated by the kindness of strangers across continents and the strength of the human spirit, renowned activist and award-winning documentarian Ruchira Gupta has written a powerful tale of resilience, hope, and the enduring strength of familial love.
Twelve-year-old Simi Singh's life in Northern India is filled with love, family traditions, and ordinary worries about hockey competitions, school exams, and avoiding the snide remarks of her class nemesis. But when a single rock carrying a note crash through their window during their Id celebration, Simi’s life will shatter.
Her Sikh father and Muslim mother’s interfaith marriage is becoming a target of violent vigilantes. Faced with rising threats, they must make an impossible choice: stay and risk their lives, or flee their homeland. Simi’s father is the first of them to make the journey to the U.S., but when their petition to be reunited in America is denied, Simi and her mother are left with no choice but to attempt a perilous crossing through the Arizona desert with the help of a smuggler.
Throughout her nail-biting journey towards safety and belonging, Simi will face unthinkable danger— and when Simi and her mother are separated during the crossing, each led to believe the other is dead, she refuses to accept this fate. Alone in an unfamiliar and unforgiving land, she must summon all her courage and resourcefulness to survive, find her mother, and reunite her shattered family.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 5, 2025
12 people are currently reading
2446 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 11, 2025
I didn't like books that are just about sending a message when I was the age this book is geared towards, and I still don't now, even if it's a message I agree with.
October 19, 2025
This was a really intense story and I kept rooting for Simi to reunite with her family. Especially in our current climate, this was a very rough read because it doesn’t shy away from the experiences of children in immigration detention centers and the ways they are separated from their parents.
September 18, 2025
solid 3.5 star but rounding up because I did tear up at one point.
October 15, 2025
Read it for school library. Will make kids think and hopefully want to spread compassion.
October 27, 2025
Beautifully written book with so many powerful words about fighting oppression and hate. This book needs to be read quickly because its likely to end up on Banned Book lists everywhere soon, sadly. The themes of love and hope in the face of oppression and fear is especially powerful these days.
October 20, 2025
Gupta's novel will teach readers that it's hard to get into this country legally and that sometimes, people have to try to come over here to save their lives whether it's legal or not. Readers will see that when a fascist government is elected and you are a target of their hate, your freedom to live is challenged in such a way that you have to run away because fighting is futile. Readers will see that it is dangerous and scary to try to be smuggled into the US and very time consuming and tedious to be detained while the politics and bureaucracy are straightened out by bored people who are just doing a job (often badly) even though it's your entire life on the line. Readers will possibly really feel for our protagonist who goes through so much and may shed a tear at the end. They'll also see that taking matters into one's own hands is helpful when struggling to survive (don't trust others). A message that persists is that one small act of kindness goes a long way, even if it's just smiling, being polite, or not being a total jerk.
Adult readers will wonder how this girl's experience was so mild and her father's experience was so uneventful and easy (major plot holes for adults who understand the system better), but teachers and librarians will likely be thankful that the harsh realities of illegal immigration are glossed over so thickly that we won't get into trouble for having it in our classrooms and libraries. I'd recommend this to kids in 4th-7th grades, but I'm not going to tell them that I think they'll love it.
Adult readers will wonder how this girl's experience was so mild and her father's experience was so uneventful and easy (major plot holes for adults who understand the system better), but teachers and librarians will likely be thankful that the harsh realities of illegal immigration are glossed over so thickly that we won't get into trouble for having it in our classrooms and libraries. I'd recommend this to kids in 4th-7th grades, but I'm not going to tell them that I think they'll love it.
June 18, 2025
In I Kick and I Fly, author Ruchira Gupta tackles the world of sex trafficking in India and how martial arts allowed one girl to escape the path of prostitution that was laid out in front of her. In this equally powerful read, Gupta introduces readers to efforts in India to make inter-faith marriages illegal, the physical harassment that follows those who risk their lives for love, and a desperate attempt of 12 year old Simi and her parents to immigrate to the United States where they can live in safety as a family.
Gupta establishes the close bonds between Simi, her parents and her extended family with a mixture of home and school events and smoothly reaches the place where, after a vicious attack by groups determined to keep India a completely Hindu country free of interfaith marriages, her dad is forced to pursue illegal immigration to the United States. Simi and her Ammi/mom wait patiently to hear from him but are disappointed to find out that their request for political asylum has been rejected. With physical attacks increasing, the two decide to take the same route through Mexico that Simi’s Abbu/father followed in the United States and what begins at this point is a trek with hardships most would not survive-the Sonoran desert with few supplies, guides/coyotes who abandon them and unscrupulous men who would sell them, overcrowded detention centers and governmental bureaucracy and ineptitude. When all seems lost, Simi begins to find little bits of hope, in a friend, compadres and warm volunteer in a detention center, a reporter who takes an interest and uses her connections to help. The characters are vivid and readers will be drawn into the struggle both in the desert and against other obstacles in the way of freedom and will cheer as events begin to turn more positive.
Highly recommended for grades 5-9 despite main character Simi only being 12 at the start. Gupta’s book explores weighty matters of politics, mixed faith marriages, and immigration which those at the earlier end of the target audience may only be dimly aware of while those older should be able to examine those issues more deeply. To facilitate such examination, the author includes an extensive reading list along with ways to be more involved and agencies that already are. Also included is a glossary of terms. Text is free of profanity and any sexual content with only a vague reference to the purposes of the traffickers who capture Simi and her friend Jose while in the desert. Violence while in India is limited to a rock thrown thru a window and Abbu’s beating which is not overly graphic and there was no violence included while Simi, her mother and friends were detained.
Thank you for the eARC, Edelweiss.
Gupta establishes the close bonds between Simi, her parents and her extended family with a mixture of home and school events and smoothly reaches the place where, after a vicious attack by groups determined to keep India a completely Hindu country free of interfaith marriages, her dad is forced to pursue illegal immigration to the United States. Simi and her Ammi/mom wait patiently to hear from him but are disappointed to find out that their request for political asylum has been rejected. With physical attacks increasing, the two decide to take the same route through Mexico that Simi’s Abbu/father followed in the United States and what begins at this point is a trek with hardships most would not survive-the Sonoran desert with few supplies, guides/coyotes who abandon them and unscrupulous men who would sell them, overcrowded detention centers and governmental bureaucracy and ineptitude. When all seems lost, Simi begins to find little bits of hope, in a friend, compadres and warm volunteer in a detention center, a reporter who takes an interest and uses her connections to help. The characters are vivid and readers will be drawn into the struggle both in the desert and against other obstacles in the way of freedom and will cheer as events begin to turn more positive.
Highly recommended for grades 5-9 despite main character Simi only being 12 at the start. Gupta’s book explores weighty matters of politics, mixed faith marriages, and immigration which those at the earlier end of the target audience may only be dimly aware of while those older should be able to examine those issues more deeply. To facilitate such examination, the author includes an extensive reading list along with ways to be more involved and agencies that already are. Also included is a glossary of terms. Text is free of profanity and any sexual content with only a vague reference to the purposes of the traffickers who capture Simi and her friend Jose while in the desert. Violence while in India is limited to a rock thrown thru a window and Abbu’s beating which is not overly graphic and there was no violence included while Simi, her mother and friends were detained.
Thank you for the eARC, Edelweiss.
April 15, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Simi lives in India with her Ammi, who is a nurse, and her Abbu, who is a farmer like his father before him. She loves to play hockey, and is pleased to be named team captain. Problems arise in her home in India when COMBAM, the Committee to Ban Marriage to Muslims, targets her home because her father is Hindu and her mother is Muslim. After Abbu is attacked and injured so badly that he can no longer farm, the family decide to emigrate to the United States. Because of the politics in the US, they decide that the best way to do this is to have Abbu smuggled into the US through Mexico, and for Simi and her mother to join him later. He manages to get to the US and set up a life with a brother who drives taxis in Queens, but things do not go smoothly for Simi and her mother. Their visa for joining the father is denied, in order to stop "chain migration". They follow the same path as the father, but since a wall has gone up at the Mexican border, getting to the US is harder. Simi meets Jose, whose family has come from Honduras. The children are both separated from their mothers, and end up flagging down the border control. They are then taken to a facility, have their backpacks taken away, and are given only a foil blanket for warmth. The bad treatment continues, and they also have to contend with a lice infestation. They eventually end up at Casa Phoenix, where they meet a sympathetic counselor, Sophia. This still doesn't help, and Simi fights to find her mother and to be allowed to call her father. It's only when she is in contact with journalist Rini that things change. Her mother is found in another camp by Jose, who manages to call her. Through online donations, the family gets enough money to reunite the family in New York.
Strengths: This is a sadly realistic look at the difficulties in India that lead Simi and her family to leave a country that they love and defy the odds to travel to the US, where things are even more difficult for them. The details about trying to get proper documentation and being denied despite overwhelming need will be informative to children who are not aware of these circumstances. The treatment in the detention centers is not pleasant, but there are moments when kind people step in to help, proving Mr. Rogers' wisdom of "look for the helpers". It's good to see a happy ending for Simi, even though many people facing resettlement in real life might experience this infrequently.
Weaknesses: For the longevity of the book, it might have helped to reference a particular year so that the immigration policies and conditions were accurate to the time depicted. I'm sure things will change, most likely (sadly) not for the better.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who were interested in Salazar's Land of the Cranes, Diaz's Santiago's Road Home, or Anta and Salcedo's Frontera.
Simi lives in India with her Ammi, who is a nurse, and her Abbu, who is a farmer like his father before him. She loves to play hockey, and is pleased to be named team captain. Problems arise in her home in India when COMBAM, the Committee to Ban Marriage to Muslims, targets her home because her father is Hindu and her mother is Muslim. After Abbu is attacked and injured so badly that he can no longer farm, the family decide to emigrate to the United States. Because of the politics in the US, they decide that the best way to do this is to have Abbu smuggled into the US through Mexico, and for Simi and her mother to join him later. He manages to get to the US and set up a life with a brother who drives taxis in Queens, but things do not go smoothly for Simi and her mother. Their visa for joining the father is denied, in order to stop "chain migration". They follow the same path as the father, but since a wall has gone up at the Mexican border, getting to the US is harder. Simi meets Jose, whose family has come from Honduras. The children are both separated from their mothers, and end up flagging down the border control. They are then taken to a facility, have their backpacks taken away, and are given only a foil blanket for warmth. The bad treatment continues, and they also have to contend with a lice infestation. They eventually end up at Casa Phoenix, where they meet a sympathetic counselor, Sophia. This still doesn't help, and Simi fights to find her mother and to be allowed to call her father. It's only when she is in contact with journalist Rini that things change. Her mother is found in another camp by Jose, who manages to call her. Through online donations, the family gets enough money to reunite the family in New York.
Strengths: This is a sadly realistic look at the difficulties in India that lead Simi and her family to leave a country that they love and defy the odds to travel to the US, where things are even more difficult for them. The details about trying to get proper documentation and being denied despite overwhelming need will be informative to children who are not aware of these circumstances. The treatment in the detention centers is not pleasant, but there are moments when kind people step in to help, proving Mr. Rogers' wisdom of "look for the helpers". It's good to see a happy ending for Simi, even though many people facing resettlement in real life might experience this infrequently.
Weaknesses: For the longevity of the book, it might have helped to reference a particular year so that the immigration policies and conditions were accurate to the time depicted. I'm sure things will change, most likely (sadly) not for the better.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who were interested in Salazar's Land of the Cranes, Diaz's Santiago's Road Home, or Anta and Salcedo's Frontera.
July 23, 2025
What worked:
The book has a jolting opening that will pique reader interest. Simi’s having a wonderful start to her school day, since the teacher announces she’s the middle-school field hockey captain and they’re going to play in the capital city of Delhi, India. However, she then receives a note from a bully saying, “Go back where you belong, Paki.” Paki refers to Pakistan. Later at home, a brick is thrown through the front window by a group fighting to ban marriages between different religions. This is a stark reminder that prejudice and racism aren’t limited to the United States, and it introduces an emotional conflict. Simi’s family is forced to flee the country, which becomes the plot of the book’s second half.
The changes to Simi’s character will evoke compassionate feelings from readers. Early on, she’s portrayed as a loving, kind, intelligent girl who does well in school. Being named the captain of her co-ed field hockey team is a strong indicator of the respect she’s earned from her coach and the other players. She tries to understand her racist tormentors and manages to persuade one boy to reconsider his actions. Readers will see the unfairness her family endures, and they may be angered when they’re forced to leave India. All of the positive energy found in the beginning will be in stark contrast to when Simi finds herself stranded in the desert. Things don’t improve once she’s “rescued” and finds herself in the custody of immigration officers.
The most unique thing about this book may be the focus on immigration into the United States. The last pages of the book even have a glossary of terms related to the topic. Simi learns her family must get visas before they’ll be allowed to enter the U.S., and her father receives one and travels ahead. Simi and her mother aren’t approved, so they’re forced to enter the country illegally. This introduces the role of coyotes, smugglers who guide immigrants across the border. Readers learn that these people charge large sums of money and can’t always be trusted. The book shares information about the conditions in detention centers and the additional struggles faced by the immigrants. The end of the book has discussion, ways to gather more information, and a word from the author.
What didn’t work as well:
Simi wants to know everything, so the author has characters define or explain many concepts related to the prejudice in India and immigration into the U.S. Context might be used for many of the terms, so the explanations seem unnecessary.
The final verdict:
This is a story of hope and perseverance, as Simi’s family overcomes prejudice and physical and emotional hardships to stay together. It’s enlightening for readers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of immigration from a different perspective. Overall, I recommend you give this book a chance.
The book has a jolting opening that will pique reader interest. Simi’s having a wonderful start to her school day, since the teacher announces she’s the middle-school field hockey captain and they’re going to play in the capital city of Delhi, India. However, she then receives a note from a bully saying, “Go back where you belong, Paki.” Paki refers to Pakistan. Later at home, a brick is thrown through the front window by a group fighting to ban marriages between different religions. This is a stark reminder that prejudice and racism aren’t limited to the United States, and it introduces an emotional conflict. Simi’s family is forced to flee the country, which becomes the plot of the book’s second half.
The changes to Simi’s character will evoke compassionate feelings from readers. Early on, she’s portrayed as a loving, kind, intelligent girl who does well in school. Being named the captain of her co-ed field hockey team is a strong indicator of the respect she’s earned from her coach and the other players. She tries to understand her racist tormentors and manages to persuade one boy to reconsider his actions. Readers will see the unfairness her family endures, and they may be angered when they’re forced to leave India. All of the positive energy found in the beginning will be in stark contrast to when Simi finds herself stranded in the desert. Things don’t improve once she’s “rescued” and finds herself in the custody of immigration officers.
The most unique thing about this book may be the focus on immigration into the United States. The last pages of the book even have a glossary of terms related to the topic. Simi learns her family must get visas before they’ll be allowed to enter the U.S., and her father receives one and travels ahead. Simi and her mother aren’t approved, so they’re forced to enter the country illegally. This introduces the role of coyotes, smugglers who guide immigrants across the border. Readers learn that these people charge large sums of money and can’t always be trusted. The book shares information about the conditions in detention centers and the additional struggles faced by the immigrants. The end of the book has discussion, ways to gather more information, and a word from the author.
What didn’t work as well:
Simi wants to know everything, so the author has characters define or explain many concepts related to the prejudice in India and immigration into the U.S. Context might be used for many of the terms, so the explanations seem unnecessary.
The final verdict:
This is a story of hope and perseverance, as Simi’s family overcomes prejudice and physical and emotional hardships to stay together. It’s enlightening for readers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of immigration from a different perspective. Overall, I recommend you give this book a chance.
August 15, 2025
One girl’s journey from India to Mexico to the U.S. as a refugee.
🇮🇳
Simi is a twelve-year-old who lives in India with her Ammi and Abbu. She loves playing hockey, but even though she made captain she’s dealing with bullying because her dad is Hindu and her mom is Muslim. When Abbu is violently attacked he moves to the United States to drive a taxi and then calls for his family. Due to immigration issues they decide it’s best for Simi and her mothers to enter the U.S. through the Mexican border. Unfortunately a wall has gone up since their dad immigrated and now Simi and her mom are left stranded with Jose and his family when things get hairy. Simi ends up getting separated from her mother and sent to a detention center then to an orphanage in the US. But Simi never stops fighting to see her parents and be reunited with them.
🇲🇽
Unfortunately stories like this are happening everyday, all over the world. I did like the unique twist to this one since Simi and her family are from India trying to cross the Mexican border to the U.S. The details surrounding the laws and procedures for how these children and parents are dealt with were well-researched. While the end of this is a happy one, for many immigrants it’s not. No human is illegal. This MG book by @ruchiraagupta would be a great pairing with Refugee, Land of the Cranes or Efren Divided.
CW: injury, religious intolerance, violence, bullying, parental abandonment, immigration issues, hospitalization, detention centers
🇮🇳
Simi is a twelve-year-old who lives in India with her Ammi and Abbu. She loves playing hockey, but even though she made captain she’s dealing with bullying because her dad is Hindu and her mom is Muslim. When Abbu is violently attacked he moves to the United States to drive a taxi and then calls for his family. Due to immigration issues they decide it’s best for Simi and her mothers to enter the U.S. through the Mexican border. Unfortunately a wall has gone up since their dad immigrated and now Simi and her mom are left stranded with Jose and his family when things get hairy. Simi ends up getting separated from her mother and sent to a detention center then to an orphanage in the US. But Simi never stops fighting to see her parents and be reunited with them.
🇲🇽
Unfortunately stories like this are happening everyday, all over the world. I did like the unique twist to this one since Simi and her family are from India trying to cross the Mexican border to the U.S. The details surrounding the laws and procedures for how these children and parents are dealt with were well-researched. While the end of this is a happy one, for many immigrants it’s not. No human is illegal. This MG book by @ruchiraagupta would be a great pairing with Refugee, Land of the Cranes or Efren Divided.
CW: injury, religious intolerance, violence, bullying, parental abandonment, immigration issues, hospitalization, detention centers
May 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for allowing me to read *The Freedom Seeker* by Ruchira Gupta in exchange for my honest review. #TheFreedomSeeker #NetGalley
The Freedom Seeker is a powerful and important book that tells the story of a girl named Simi and her family's journey to the United States seeking asylum. In India, there is a group that believes married individuals should share the same religion, which creates a significant problem for Simi's family. Simi's mother is Muslim, while her father is Sikh. Her father travels to the U.S. first, leaving Simi and her mother behind. The journey they embark on to join him is fraught with challenges, and during this traumatic time, they become separated while crossing the border. Throughout her ordeal, Simi remembers what her grandparents, Dadi and Dadu, advised her: to hold on to hope even in the darkest moments.
This middle-grade novel sheds light on a topic that is not discussed enough. It realistically portrays the struggles of entering the United States while also capturing moments of joy. Students who can relate to Simi's story are likely to find this book compelling.
The Freedom Seeker is a powerful and important book that tells the story of a girl named Simi and her family's journey to the United States seeking asylum. In India, there is a group that believes married individuals should share the same religion, which creates a significant problem for Simi's family. Simi's mother is Muslim, while her father is Sikh. Her father travels to the U.S. first, leaving Simi and her mother behind. The journey they embark on to join him is fraught with challenges, and during this traumatic time, they become separated while crossing the border. Throughout her ordeal, Simi remembers what her grandparents, Dadi and Dadu, advised her: to hold on to hope even in the darkest moments.
This middle-grade novel sheds light on a topic that is not discussed enough. It realistically portrays the struggles of entering the United States while also capturing moments of joy. Students who can relate to Simi's story are likely to find this book compelling.
October 19, 2025
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
I loved this book. I wish I could recommend it for the book award committee I'm on but alas, Gupta was not born in the US, making the book ineligible. I will definitely add it to my classroom shelves though. This book tells the story of a Muslim family in India forced to flee because of increasing violence under the Hindu nationalist regime of N. Mohdi. (Gupta does not name any politicians or legislation by name which I appreciate since that gives the book more staying power as well as opportunities for discussion.) The main character's father flees first, forced to cross the Mexico/US border to reach a place to claim political asylum - a fully legal method of immigration - with the intent of sending for his wife and child - the main character- as soon as he can. When events in the US close that door under the guise of "chain migration," the main character and her mother must make the trek as well. Wow. This book left me stunned and immediately motivated me to find a way to weave it into my lessons if not this school year, then the next. I, obviously, highly recommend this book.
I loved this book. I wish I could recommend it for the book award committee I'm on but alas, Gupta was not born in the US, making the book ineligible. I will definitely add it to my classroom shelves though. This book tells the story of a Muslim family in India forced to flee because of increasing violence under the Hindu nationalist regime of N. Mohdi. (Gupta does not name any politicians or legislation by name which I appreciate since that gives the book more staying power as well as opportunities for discussion.) The main character's father flees first, forced to cross the Mexico/US border to reach a place to claim political asylum - a fully legal method of immigration - with the intent of sending for his wife and child - the main character- as soon as he can. When events in the US close that door under the guise of "chain migration," the main character and her mother must make the trek as well. Wow. This book left me stunned and immediately motivated me to find a way to weave it into my lessons if not this school year, then the next. I, obviously, highly recommend this book.
July 31, 2025
This was an excellent read. If you are looking for a way to help your child understand the problems with our current immigration system, or what it means to come to America "illegally," this is a great option.
Simi's mother is Muslim, and her father is a Hindu Sikh. When a new political group rises to power, Simi's family becomes targets in a racist witch hunt, and they are forced to flee to America for safety. Unfortunately, they soon discover that entering the United States is nearly as dangerous.
You and your child will learn so much about why people seek asylum, how the current system is structured, and the dangers immigrants face in a quest for a safe haven. Simi is a compelling character, and I felt so frustrated reading about what happens to her and her mother. But while there are moments of danger, this is ultimately a story about hope, sacrifice, and family, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Simi's mother is Muslim, and her father is a Hindu Sikh. When a new political group rises to power, Simi's family becomes targets in a racist witch hunt, and they are forced to flee to America for safety. Unfortunately, they soon discover that entering the United States is nearly as dangerous.
You and your child will learn so much about why people seek asylum, how the current system is structured, and the dangers immigrants face in a quest for a safe haven. Simi is a compelling character, and I felt so frustrated reading about what happens to her and her mother. But while there are moments of danger, this is ultimately a story about hope, sacrifice, and family, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
December 9, 2025
A gripping story about 12-year-old Simi Singh who must leave behind her life and grandparents in northern India to flee to America - the land of freedom and opportunities - where no one will harass and threaten her parents for their interfaith marriage. While Simi's father makes it to America, Simi and her mother's petition to join him is denied. Left without a choice, they take the "illegal" route to America.
Inspired by true stories, this novel takes readers on a nail-biting journey with Simi who must gather courage to face the difficulties and perils thrown her way, including getting separated from her mother.
This book provides a timely, much-needed window and mirror into the world of refugees who risk their lives to come with their invaluable hopes and dreams to America.
Highly recommended for all readers 9+ (grown-ups too!).
Inspired by true stories, this novel takes readers on a nail-biting journey with Simi who must gather courage to face the difficulties and perils thrown her way, including getting separated from her mother.
This book provides a timely, much-needed window and mirror into the world of refugees who risk their lives to come with their invaluable hopes and dreams to America.
Highly recommended for all readers 9+ (grown-ups too!).
July 17, 2025
Be prepared to cry, have your heart break and be reminded that there are good people in the world. I read THE FREEDOM SEEKER in 24 hours because I could not put it down. It's a story that every young person and adult in America should read to truly have an understanding of what it is like to immigrate to the United States...the good, the bad and the ugly...what people are fleeing from and what they hope to get to, what they're willing to risk and how very scary such a journey actually is for a person and especially for a family. We are living during a time when this is very real and it is happening which is why the uplifting parts are a great reminder that there is still good in our country and we can step up and help one another. This book is perfection!
October 1, 2025
This book includes religious intolerance and immigration challenges that are faced. However, the author doesn't include a timeline of when this occurs. But one can deduct the time is the recent past as the religious intolerance in India is happening now as is the immigration challenges into the US.
The print format includes a letter from the author, explaining her reasoning for this novel. She also includes several pages of additional resources, which includes questions to ask, activities on how to help, other books or movies to explore, a list of helpful organizations, migrant challenges. There is also a glossary of key terms.
The print format includes a letter from the author, explaining her reasoning for this novel. She also includes several pages of additional resources, which includes questions to ask, activities on how to help, other books or movies to explore, a list of helpful organizations, migrant challenges. There is also a glossary of key terms.
December 8, 2025
A good book for middle grades about the immigration dilemma and not as scary as Stork’s Disappeared. I like that the main character is Indian and not Latino. A window to life problems in other countries. I wish the problems of India had been introduced before Simi was elected captain of the hockey team because it seemed at first that’s why her family became a target when in reality it had probably been in the background for a while. Also the ending is a little too neat, but that will satisfy younger middle grade readers. Good endnotes and glossary.
July 20, 2025
A thoughtful and age-appropriate analysis of the broken immigration system in the US, from the perspective of an Indian girl. I felt like this covered many aspects, particularly her experience in detention in the US, well. I would have liked to have seen a bit more emotion and "need" for why they fled India - it all felt a little unemotional - and also their decision to cross the Sonoran desert. Otherwise an eye-opening book.
Best for 6th g and up.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Best for 6th g and up.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
August 17, 2025
Freedom Seeker is written in a way that feels very realistic, taking the reader on a harrowing immigration journey from India to the US. Simi and her family live a fairly ordinary life in India. The author makes Simi's life similar to one the reader might have, easy for them to relate to. When they are suddenly no longer safe in their home, and must find a new one, it's clear that this is a tough but necessary choice. This is an important story for students in the US to read.
October 3, 2025
Gupta addresses a lot of important issues in this middle grade novel, but I never totally connected with Simi, the main character. I felt like she was created to highlight specific (important) issues at the expense of a plot that unfolded naturally. I ended up skimming through the last half of the book. I would have preferred a narrative nonfiction approach; I think it would have made her points more compelling if she had related true stories.
July 21, 2025
Just incredible. She does an incredible job of humanizing a story that desperately needs understanding. The timing is ideal as our country is closing its borders to people who desperately need a safe haven. Can't wait to get this into the hands of students!
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.
July 31, 2025
Leisurely start, though the pace picks up as Simi and her family journey
A close-up look at the experience of being an unaccompanied minor held by ICE
Emotionally moving
Recommended by publisher for ages 8-12 and grades 3-7, though I feel it is better suited to the younger end of that spectrum.
Thank you to the publishers for an Advanced Reader Copy from ALA!
A close-up look at the experience of being an unaccompanied minor held by ICE
Emotionally moving
Recommended by publisher for ages 8-12 and grades 3-7, though I feel it is better suited to the younger end of that spectrum.
Thank you to the publishers for an Advanced Reader Copy from ALA!
August 4, 2025
A powerful and moving book! The Freedom Seeker will open the eyes of readers to issues they may not have considered. With all of the emotion in the pages kids will be given not only information, but strategies about what to do with that information.
August 28, 2025
Audio Book. I loved this book! It should be read along side The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank!!!!
September 20, 2025
This book is amazing. The sad thing is history repeats itself and it is once again turned to a hard time for so many who lost everything to come to the US which use to be land of the free.
November 18, 2025
"Through evocative and accessible writing, this gut-punch of a story illuminates the global rise of intolerance and the anguish faced by those who seek safety" [Kirkus Reviews]
December 3, 2025
Heartbreaking especially knowing that this story is other people's current reality. Really well written.
August 6, 2025
I learned a lot from this book, a lot about different cultures and faiths. It was very interesting. I really liked all the relationships in this book, how Simi was close with her parents and her grandparents. I liked how they taught her to deal with fights and how to be a leader. Several parts were quite sad and heartbreaking, but I liked how it made a point to show the good people who go out of their way to help others. There were several parts about praying to the gods, and since I am a Christian I don’t agree with this, but since this book was about different religions, I was okay with it because I got to learn about some other religions. All in all, I really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
October 6, 2025
Ruchira Gupta's The Freedom Seeker is a powerful and profoundly moving narrative that offers a crucial window into the harrowing experiences of immigrant children. While the book began slowly for me, particularly in its initial portrayal of Simi's life in India, it quickly evolved into a gripping and essential read.
The early chapters, which introduce Simi's interfaith family in India, provided a pleasant glimpse into her world. However, the dangers her family faced due to their interfaith status were primarily told to the reader rather than shown. To truly convey the severity of the political situation and the prejudice and violence they endured, a more descriptive depiction might have enhanced the impact, especially for younger readers who may not fully grasp the gravity of such circumstances.
The narrative truly takes off following the attack on Simi's father. From this point, the story becomes an urgent and deeply resonant journey. Ruchira Gupta's extensive background in journalism and Women's Rights activism shines through, lending an undeniable realism to Simi's harrowing experiences. This authenticity feels particularly pertinent in the context of current US immigration policies, making the book incredibly relevant. The portrayal of the traumas of ICE incarceration, in particular, felt very visceral and provided a powerful, albeit difficult, point of connection for readers. This aspect of the book offers a beautiful opportunity for honest and challenging conversations about the realities faced by many.
Simi herself is a remarkably strong and inspiring protagonist. Her methodical thinking and her consistent reliance on her family as a source of strength serve as an excellent example for readers to aspire to. Her resilience in the face of immense adversity is truly commendable.
As a parent, I found myself deeply moved, shedding tears several times toward the book's conclusion. The moments of Simi's reunion with her father and their subsequent efforts to locate her mother were particularly poignant and emotionally charged.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Freedom Seeker and would rate it 5 stars. It is a wonderfully written story that not only entertains but also opens a vital window into a very real and often overlooked reality for immigrant children. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Scholastic Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The early chapters, which introduce Simi's interfaith family in India, provided a pleasant glimpse into her world. However, the dangers her family faced due to their interfaith status were primarily told to the reader rather than shown. To truly convey the severity of the political situation and the prejudice and violence they endured, a more descriptive depiction might have enhanced the impact, especially for younger readers who may not fully grasp the gravity of such circumstances.
The narrative truly takes off following the attack on Simi's father. From this point, the story becomes an urgent and deeply resonant journey. Ruchira Gupta's extensive background in journalism and Women's Rights activism shines through, lending an undeniable realism to Simi's harrowing experiences. This authenticity feels particularly pertinent in the context of current US immigration policies, making the book incredibly relevant. The portrayal of the traumas of ICE incarceration, in particular, felt very visceral and provided a powerful, albeit difficult, point of connection for readers. This aspect of the book offers a beautiful opportunity for honest and challenging conversations about the realities faced by many.
Simi herself is a remarkably strong and inspiring protagonist. Her methodical thinking and her consistent reliance on her family as a source of strength serve as an excellent example for readers to aspire to. Her resilience in the face of immense adversity is truly commendable.
As a parent, I found myself deeply moved, shedding tears several times toward the book's conclusion. The moments of Simi's reunion with her father and their subsequent efforts to locate her mother were particularly poignant and emotionally charged.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Freedom Seeker and would rate it 5 stars. It is a wonderfully written story that not only entertains but also opens a vital window into a very real and often overlooked reality for immigrant children. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Scholastic Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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