Climbing the Stairs

In British-occupied India, a young girl’s dream defies the limitations of her society.

“This novel vivifies a unique era and culture as it movingly expresses how love and hope can blossom even under the most dismal of circumstances.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Venkatraman paints an intricate and convincing backdrop of a conservative Brahmin home in a time of change.”—Booklist, starred review

What if your only dream was forbidden?

Fifteen-year-old Vidya dreams of going to college, an un...