Mitali Banerjee Ruths grew up in Houston, Texas. She studied medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, graduating in 2008. Now she works as a creative director at a software company and lives in Montreal with her family.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding
Illustrated by Parwinder Singh.
Watertown, MA: Charlsebridge, 2024.
Forthcoming April 2024
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
In this cross-cultural friendship story, Archie helps Emma, who isn’t Indian, learn everything she needs to know when Archie’s Poppy Uncle and Emma’s Auntie Julie get married. The girls go to the mehendi party and sangeet together. They help Julie at the wedding, steal Poppy’s shoes, and eat ladoos at the reception. Now Archie and Emma are friends—and cousins!
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Archie Celebrates Diwali
Illustrated by Parwinder Singh.
Watertown, MA: Charlsebridge, 2021.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Archana’s favorite holiday is here! Her family throws a party every year, and this year, she’s so excited she invites three of her friends from school. But then Archie gets nervous. What if they don’t like Diwali as much as she does? And then on top of everything, a thunderstorm knocks out the power right in the middle of the festival of lights. Will this Diwali be a total disaster?
Fiction (Juvenile, Chapter book)
Awesome Orange Birthday
Art by Aaliya Jaleel.
New York: Scholastic, 2023.
Series: The Party Diaries; 1
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Priya is excited to plan her aunty’s birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time? Priya sends out handmade invitations, makes DIY decorations, and sets an orange-only snacks menu — including pumpkin samosas! Will Priya’s very first party be a success?
Fiction (Juvenile, Chapter book)
Fairy-Tale Puppy Picnic
Art by Aaliya Jaleel.
New York: Scholastic, 2024.
Series: The Party Diaries; 4
Forthcoming Feb. 2024
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Priya is planning a puppy picnic for her friend Dola! It has a fairy-tale theme because Dola’s adorable puppy is named Prince! Priya starts her party-prep to-do list. She makes castle invitations, creates DIY crowns, and bakes cupcakes (and pupcakes!). But as the puppy picnic gets closer, it looks like it might rain. Priya tries not to worry, but the weather is not something she can check off her to-do list. Will she have to cancel the picnic?
Fiction (Juvenile, )
The Inside Scouts Help the Kind Lion
Art by Francesca Mahaney.
New York: Scholastic, 2024.
Series: The Inside Scouts; 1
Forthcoming February 2024
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Viv and Sanjay are the Inside Scouts! Together, they help animals. They have a cool superpower — they can shrink super small. When a lion with a leaky heart needs help, the Inside Scouts know what to do! They put on their suits, grab their tools, and get really small. They go inside the lion to find the leaky spot. And they fix it together!
Fiction (Juvenile, Chapter book)
Starry Henna Night
Art by Aaliya Jaleel.
New York: Scholastic, 2023.
Series: The Party Diaries; 2
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Priya’s party-planning business is hired to put together a henna-night party for teenagers! Priya gets more and more nervous as she struggles to find a theme for the party. What do TEENAGERS like?! All she knows for sure is that this party will help save endangered pangolins! So can Priya create a perfect henna-night party or will it be a flop?
Fiction (Juvenile, Chapter book)
Top Secret Anniversary
Art by Aaliya Jaleel.
New York: Scholastic, 2023.
Series: The Party Diaries; 3
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Priya’s mom wants to surprise Priya’s dad with an anniversary party. So Priya gets right to work, making party plans and crafting DIY decorations with help from her best friend Melissa. But Priya finds it hard to keep a secret inside her own house, especially with her dad always being curious about EVERYTHING. Can Priya keep her dad from spoiling the surprise AND make it her parents’ best anniversary ever?