Songs Of Freedom Series:The Chowpatty Cooking Club

Set in Bombay in 1942, The Chowpatty Cooking Club, a vivid installment in the Songs Of Freedom Series, invites readers into a world where friendship and courage meet history. This historical fiction follows Sakina and her friends Zenobia and Mehul as they balance school, family, and quiet acts of resistance against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence. Perfect for middle-grade readers and history fans who crave stories with heart, The Chowpatty Cooking Club is both adventurous and thoughtful, emotional and hopeful. Written in accessible prose, the book moves through intimate scenes—home kitchens, crowded streets, and moments of quiet reflection—pulling readers into Sakina, Zenobia, and Mehul's hopes, doubts, and growing sense of purpose. The narrative threads friendship and daily life with the larger currents of 1940s Bombay, including student protests and underground networks like the People's Radio. Lubaina Bandukwala's warm, respectful voice offers fresh perspectives that resonate with middle-grade readers and history enthusiasts alike. Rich historical setting: Bombay, 1942, during India's independence movement. Journey with Sakina, Zenobia, and Mehul as they navigate school, family expectations, and acts of defiance. Themes of friendship, courage, duty, and growing up under pressure. Warm, accessible prose with vivid setting and period detail. Engaging pace that balances everyday life with quiet moments of resistance. After finishing The Chowpatty Cooking Club, readers gain a deeper understanding of how ordinary children contribute to history, and the resilience that comes from friendship and shared purpose. The book leaves you hopeful, with empathy for the past and a sense of how individual choices can shape the future. The Chowpatty Cooking Club stays with you, inviting reflection long after the final page.