Sarchi, 1921 When Dak Chacha comes to visit, Luxmi feels only joy and excitement. But this time, there is something dark underfootChacha is worried and there are policemen coming to search their house. Luxmi learns that both Dak Chacha and her mother are involvedin their own small waysin the struggle for liberation from the unjust laws and practices that the British regime forces on all of them. This makes her determined to be part of it too. Even if that means undertaking a risky mission which no one else is able to do . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

Aizawl, 1942 The world that the young boy at the heart of this story is growing up in is filled with magic and the simple joys of life with his brother Kima. Even the British presence in the Lushai Hills, so resented by some, does not affect him, except as a source of interesting and different things and people. But as the Japanese prepare to invade their land, Kima joins up with the British Indian Army, and the days of simple joy are over . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

Mysore, 1932 The rest of India is ablaze with the fervour of the freedom movement, but Mysore remains tranquil under the maharaja's benevolent rule. For twelve-year-old Leela, the movement feels distant, just words in the pages of newspapers—until Malathi Akka moves into her neighbourhood, bringing with her thrilling ideas, new perspectives, and . . . a gramophone! As Leela gets swept up by the winds of change, it dawns on her that participation in the freedom struggle can take on forms she hasn't even imagined . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

Ranchi district, 1915 Sibu's life is changing as the Oraons who live in the forests of Chota Nagpur, are slowly moving to the Tana Bhagat movement, where they begin to protest the injustices that the zamindars and the British Raj perpetrate on the Adivasis. And by stories of German Baba, who will help defeat the British in the Great War and bring freedom to the Oraons and to India. Yet, though the Tana Bhagats follow the path of non-violence, violence is rearing its head in the world around them . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

The people of Travancore and Kochi led two separate movements for responsible government. Malabar, under direct British rule, joined the National Movement for freedom. The struggle for responsible government was also part of the national struggle for Independence. The struggle in the three areas of the Malayalam region, after reorganisation of the states linguistically, after independence, ran parallel to one another. In this gripping narrative of the growth of democracy and the humbling of Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer, the late K.C. John, veteran journalist who had a ringside view of the evolution of modern Kerala takes you through the convulsions for freedom that the state went through over the last century.

Madras, 1944 While World War II rages in Europe and the Japanese army draws closer to India, Raji and her sisters are sent off with their mother to stay in Manikoil, her mother's family village. But with her brother now a soldier in the British Indian Army and refugees fleeing from Malaya, Burma and other eastern countries back to India, Manikoil is no longer the peaceful haven it once was. And while there is hope of Independence in the air, Raji is uncertain whether it will come to pass-and what it will truly mean for her and her family. The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

Bombay, 1942 With Mahatma Gandhi's call to the British to Quit India, the city has become a hotbed of revolutionary activity-student protests, secret magazines and even an underground People's Radio which broadcasts news that the British want concealed. Sakina and her friends Zenobia and Mehul desperately want to be part of this struggle for freedom. But there is little that they are permitted to do. But at least, they are trying to do something useful, while their mothers are only running a cooking club ... The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.

In the middle of August, 1947, two nations – the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan – came into being through a Partition of the British Indian Empire. The Princely States, which owed their existence to the British, acceded to either of the two Dominions. Jinnah, as Governor-General of Pakistan, and Nehru, as Prime Minister of India, took the oath of office swearing allegiance to George VI, who was still the King of both the Dominions but no longer the Rex Imperator or King-Emperor. The Dominions eventually emerged as the Republic of India in 1950 and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1956. Twenty-five years on, in 1972, a third country – the People’s Republic of Bangladesh – was born out of the liquidation of East Pakistan. A United India – if it had been preserved – may have been an equal, militarily and economically, of the People’s Republic of China. Arun Bhatnagar’s Book is an engaging and absorbing account of a Subcontinent that passed through the High Noon of Empire, saw unity dissolving into division and experienced euphoria and despair, progress and tragedy, victory and defeat. The narrative, during the years 1911-1999, traverses (by way of the life-story of an Indian member of the ICS, later a practicing Barrister and Politician) various dimensions of history, politics, economy, culture and administration. The Afterword conveys the reader into the twenty-first century when unfriendly neighbours are in alliance to thwart New Delhi’s interests.

Nyagrodha! Command the wind to be still. And in the silence that follows the tree will shake down stories. . . As their train puffs away into the distance, three runaway children—Lily, Vicky and Aman—are led by Makhmal Khan the monkey into the shimmering world of the forest... Deep within its shadows, beyond the last cloud on the horizon, stands Nyagrodha, the ancient banyan. Within its magical labyrinth the children encounter monarchs and mice, dreamers and scholars, paupers and fortune-seekers, braggarts and burglars, foppish fish and bloodsucking bugs, gory battles and incredible flying machines... But none of these can distract them from the dangers that threaten Simha the fierce young king and his friend Jeev, the musical bull. For the story of their tangled lives is very like the childrens' own. Will Aman, Vicky and Lily find their way back home through the maze of stories? Or will treachery destroy the friendship between Simha and Jeev, and leave the forest wounded and bleeding forever? 'This is an upside-down story,' Hanumanta the Langoor warns the children. 'A story that will turn you inside out. Will you hear it unafraid?'

On a night when the moon shone and the little specks of light danced on the ceiling, Ani lay awake. 'It's dark,' he said. Everything has turned dark in Ani's life. Dobby, Nani, friends - he has them all by his side. But he pulls away from them. Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?