Theft of the Ruby Lotus
Written by Sayantani DasGupta
Published by Scholastic Press
Ria Bailey finds herself in quite a fix, and it’s all because of a strange treasure that turns up in the mail one fateful day. It might be a ruby, and it just might hold the key to some troubling developments in her life. Most importantly, if she and her besties Miracle Owusu and Annie Hernandez can trace the significance and stay one step ahead of the mysterious strangers tracking their moves through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and out into the city streets of New York, then just maybe Ria can turn things around for herself.
Sayantani DasGupta returns in rare form with a brand new story that’s part love letter to the Metropolitan Museum and New York City immigrant families, part twisting and turning heist, and completely an examination of where art belongs, who gets to keep it, and what it means to be on display.
Primary ISBN: 9781338766875
Publication Date: April 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Bengali/Bengali American, Ghanaian/Ghanaian American, Indian/Indian American, Mexican/Mexican American
Themes: Arts, Coming of Age, Cross-Group Friendship, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Discrimination: Cultural, Discrimination: Economic, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 1st, Genre: Action Adventure, Genre: Mystery, Identity: Exploration, Identity: Multiracial, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States (New York)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant, 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials:
An Introduction from the Author
Source: Scholastic