The Freedom Seeker
A Journey of Courage, A Story of Hope
By Ruchira Gupta
Book Trailer & Author Interviews
About the Book
Simran "Simi" Singh's life in Punjab is filled with love and hockey games until religious intolerance forces her family to flee to America. Separated from her mother at the border, Simi faces hardship and detention but holds onto hope through extraordinary acts of kindness as she crosses the Arizona desert.
The Freedom Seeker is a powerful exploration of migration, belonging, and resilience, inspired by real events and deeply informed by activist-author Ruchira Gupta’s extensive human rights experience.
Read an Excerpt
Chapter Thirteen: “In my dream, there are wolves after me. I am running, running, running. A hoarse voice whispers: “Stay in the shadows, stay in the shadows.” But when I turn around, they are not wolves. They are coyotes…”
"I believe in a world in which no child is bought or sold."
Praise & Reviews
“A riveting story of love, hope, and survival.”
“…optimistic and steadfast tone…rings true across grim depictions of loss.”
"A compelling narrative about an important part of migration."
Author & Advocate Praise:
"Gupta turns a spotlight on the broken American immigration system and its devastating impact on children. At once maddening and heartbreaking, The Freedom Seekers shows young readers there is also hope--through awareness, activism, and community." - Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee
“In The Freedom Seeker, Ruchira has created a girl who will create our future.” – Gloria Steinem, author, My journey on the road, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, Revolution from Within
“This riveting, courageous, and nuanced story will break your heart right open and with it, give you a new understanding of justice. Told through the eyes of an Indian child, The Freedom Seeker sheds light on one of the darkest realities on U.S. soil in modern times -- the criminalization of migrants seeking political asylum and the separation of children from their parents, no matter the ethnicity. A necessary and important story that will help you see, act, and heal.” –Aida Salazar, Pura Belpré Honor Award-winning author of Ultraviolet and Land of the Cranes.
"Now more than ever, we need books that tell the complicated and complex stories of our global migration crisis from new perspectives. The Freedom Seeker does just that. It is an important and moving tale about the difficulties of finding refuge in an increasingly inhospitable world. Told from the perspective of a child, this book gives a refreshing and unexpected take on what it means to migrate and what is lost along the way. This is a must-read for young people and adults alike." - Jason De Leon, National Book Award-winning author of Soldiers and Kings and The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail
"The Freedom Seeker is a must- read social justice adventure to understand the struggles of migrant families. Ruchira Gupta opens hearts and minds, inspiring young readers to find their own voice for change."- Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate
“Ruchira has captured the complexity of emotions and experiences surrounding immigration, through the eyes of brave and compassionate Simi. This moving story connects us deeply to one family through global themes like tribalism, migration and community. It's a compelling novel for all ages.”-Sayu Bhojwani, New York City’s first Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs
“Never has it been more critical for Americans to attach a face and a heart to all the stories we hear about the cruelties of immigration in this modern world. Ruchira Gupta has been able to do just that in a book that is as riveting as it is important."- Abby Disney, Filmmaker and activist
Behind the Book
“To understand Simi’s journey, I walked the Sonoran Desert, witnessed border separations, and listened to the stories of real migrant children and their families. What I found was humanity surviving in the harshest places—mothers caring for others’ children, strangers offering shelter, border guards showing compassion, people talking through gaps in the wall. These stories shaped The Freedom Seeker."
Author's Message
"Maybe you’ve seen stories about immigrants on the news or heard about families separated at the border. I hope this book helps you understand what it feels like to be in their shoes. It’s important to remember that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Simi’s story is about finding home—not just a place, but also in the people we love. It’s about standing up to bullies, believing in yourself, and understanding that love and kindness are more powerful than hate. Through all of her challenges, Simi never gives up hope. She learns that there’s always strength in community and in the people who care about us”.
— Ruchira Gupta
Real-Life Stories & Further Reading
Family who froze to death crossing into U.S. on foot shows realities behind South Asian immigration, NBC
Illegal and unseen, BBC
Some Facts
The U.S. is home to the largest number of international migrants, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s total migrant population. Among them, 649,000 are recent immigrant children aged 5 to 17. Globally, nearly 36 million children are among the world’s migrants, and half of the 34 million refugees and asylum seekers are children. Yet, these children are more than statistics; they are individuals with dreams, fears, and hopes. Stigma and bias often haunt migrant children like Simi, shaping how they are seen and treated both during and after their journeys.
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