Secret Keeper
Delacorte Books • Ages 12 and up

When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta. Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. Then news arrives about Baba . . . and Asha must make a choice that will change their lives forever.

First Daughter: White House Rules
Dutton Books For Young Readers • Ages 11 and up

Sameera, her parents, cousin Miranda, and the farm lab Jingle are moving into the White House. The roller coaster ride of life as a First Daughter continues in Book Two. Kirkus says, "First-time readers are quickly brought up to speed and introduced to new twists ... Throughout, Sparrow's actions and thoughtful blog posts paint her as a likable character and great role model."

Visit First Daughter Books or Sparrow's own blog. Sign up as a fan on facebook.

First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover
Dutton Books For Young Readers • Ages 11 and up

The race for the presidency is on, and Sameera's dad is a contender. As the pressure builds, Sameera is forced to choose: Will she hide behind a fake persona or speak up for her true self? PW says, "Sameera is an intelligent, witty and prepossessed heroine ... teens should enjoy this peek at the behind-the-scenes finessing that goes on in modern politics."

Read more reviews here. Visit Sameera, aka Sparrow, at her very own blog, or check out her book trailer.

Rickshaw Girl
Charlesbridge • Ages 7-11

Naima must find a way to save her mother's golden bangle -- and fix her father's rickshaw in this Jane Addams Honor Book. Booklist says this "lively, moving book has surprises that continue to the end," Kirkus promises that "Naima's story will be relished by students and teachers alike," and CCBC picks it as a book of the week!  

Download an excerpt, a Q&A about writing the book, or a Classroom Discussion Guide. Read more reviews here.

Monsoon Summer
Delacorte/Laurel Leaf • Ages 11 and up

Fifteen-year old Jazz Gardner leaves California for a life-changing summer in an Indian orphanage. Booklist calls it a "warm, romantic story," Teen People picks Monsoon Summer as a "red-hot read," and Guideposts Sweet 16 and Justine Magazine feature it as a top title for teens.

Reviews and Awards
Read an excerpt
Mother Daughter Book Club Guide
Classroom Discussion Guide
Buy the UK version

The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen
Little Brown • Ages 10 and up

Middle-schooler Sunita Sen can't believe that her hip California Mom is making the whole family go traditional when her grandparents visit from India. "Perkins combines her fresh, unaffected prose with moving bits of Indian poetry and lore, rendering this well-thought out investigation of cultural identity doubly moving ... A funny, honest, and homespun story." -- Publisher's Weekly

Reviews and Awards
Read an excerpt
Buy it in France

Short Stories by Mitali Perkins