This story, and this series in particular, is a great way to expose children to other cultures. With the adventure and the introduction of new customs exhibited in this book, it really grabs one's attention. It also offers history in the story, which allows children to get a glimpse into the history of other countries, especially Asian countries. ( )

This book was exciting and interesting. Neela is a girl in India who finds herself in a struggle with duties, customs, and new thoughts and ideas. She and her father both become excited about India's independence, but her father is captured in the struggle. She travels to Calcutta to get help freeing him, and has to use her cleverness to finally get him home. ( )

Neela is from India. Here sister is married of and her father went to fight for India’s, independence telling Neela not to tell her mother. When she hears that hundreds were imprisoned or killed she sets of with her friend Samar to find her father if he is still alive. ( )