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INTERMEDIATE FICTION
Sekaran, Shanthi

The Samosa Rebellion

352 pp. | HarperCollins/Tegen | September, 2021 | Trade ISBN 978-0-06-305153-9 $16.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-0-06-305155-3 $8.99
(2) 4-6 Sixth grader Muki lives with his family in the (fictional) island nation of Mariposa. His grandmother arrives from India just as a wave of xenophobia puts them all at risk, separating the "Butterflies," who can trace their Mariposan heritage back three generations or more, and the "Moths," including Muki's family, whose ancestors arrived more recently. When Muki is assigned to work on a class project with Tinley, daughter of one of Mariposa's top generals, they slowly form a friendship that seems to bridge the gap between the two groups. Life becomes increasingly dangerous for the Moths, though, as the Mariposan government steps up surveillance of Muki's multicultural neighborhood and builds camps to hold Moths for deportation. Muki discovers that his parents are part of the Moth resistance that arises in response, and although they are reluctant to get him involved, he finds ways to fight for his community. Surprising allies--and traitors--are revealed as the Butterflies begin to round up the Moths, and Muki and his friends launch a plan for survival. Sekaran's world-building is compelling and distinctive, never overtaken by the story's clear message about intolerance. The character names (the president answers to "Bambi"; Tinley's dad is "Doggy") bring a touch of the ridiculous to the book's otherwise sober exploration of prejudice and authoritarianism; Muki's vivid enthusiasm makes him a compelling protagonist.
Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

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