The Freedom Seeker

Gr 3-7–A 12-year-old is forced to flee Northern India and becomes entangled in an immigration nightmare. Simi is a regular tween in Punjab with a loving family, supportive best friends, and ambitions to play in a big field hockey championship. But Simi’s Ammi is Muslim, and Abbu is Hindu-Sikh, while her parents’ mixed-faith marriage marks them out for increasing discrimination and hostility. The family decides to leave when Abbu is brutally attacked, and he successfully claims asylum in the U.S. Simi and Ammi are not so lucky, however, due to a crackdown on “chain migration” of asylees’ families that leaves them desperately deciding to enter the U.S. via Mexico without visas. This leaves them vulnerable to ruthless coyotes, and Simi is separated from her mother as they cross the border. Gupta has crafted a compelling narrative about an important part of migration. Simi is resourceful and likable as she struggles with others’ bigotry, homesickness, and her familial separation. The secondary characters are generally appealing but, due to Simi experiencing much of this alone, they are not as fully developed. Jose, a 12-year-old from Honduras who befriends Simi when he crosses the border with her, is the most well-rounded of the diverse supporting cast. There is no perfectly wrapped-up ending, but there are hopeful depictions of people who want to help, whether they are immigration officials or supportive members of the public.