Arthi is a vibrant twelve-year-old from Madras whose world is turned topsy-turvy by events at home. When differences between her parents reach a peak, Arthi finds herself attending a prestigious boarding school run by tough nuns in the hills of Nilgiris. She is soon joined by Noorie, a Muslim girl from Kerala, who is unhappy about the big change in her life. The two girls must now try to overcome homesickness, forge friendships, and make their mark in a new school. As the girls learn to navigate boarding school life under the watchful eyes of the mistress and principal, they soon realize their classmates are creating the biggest challenges. Sreedevi is an Indian princess who isn't shy about voicing her strong beliefs. Myra is a Kashmiri whose true origins cast doubts about her identity and patriotism. As Arthi and Noorie become drawn into a war of words that erupts in their classroom, the girls must pick a side and then stand by their choices, no matter the consequences. But will they survive the hostile atmosphere or cave under the immense pressure that threatens their values and beliefs? In this young adult tale, two girls who become immersed in an argument in their boarding school classroom learn about the value and cost of standing up for their beliefs.