The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta

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.