SUSHMITHA MADHUKAR
Author of UNBROKEN and The Blue Monster Next Door
Stories of resilience - for grown hearts and young ones alike
Sushmitha Madhukar writes about what it takes to heal — with kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude for the life built on the other side.
Her debut children’s book, The Blue Monster Next Door, tells the story of Arin, a lonely blue elephant the whole village calls a monster, and Mira, the little girl next door who chooses to see him differently. It’s a gentle story about kindness, loneliness, and how one small act of caring can turn a stranger into family.
That same belief carries through her debut memoir, Unbroken — a raw, honest account of her own journey through hardship toward a life she calls educated, empowered, and unbreakable. “Forgiveness is not about pretending the pain didn’t exist,” she writes. “It’s about acknowledging that the painful past is what brought me here.”
Both books speak to the same truth: pain doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
Ages: 4-10
Release Date: 28 Aug 2026
Arin is a blue elephant everyone in the village calls a monster - grumpy, alone. Then Mira moves in next door and instead of staying away like the other kids, she shows up. The Blue Monster Next Door is a tender story about kindness, loneliness and how one small act of caring can turn a stranger into family.
Hello Kids,
Can I tell you a secret?
Arin is rea!!
Whaaaat? I Know!!
I know because I was Arin once.
And Mira is real too!!
I met her. I am friends with her. Yes, even now!!
My Mira is older, has blond hair and wears pants mostly.
But she does have the same kind heart as Mira.
No waaaaay!! Yes way!!
I bet you know someone like Arin and Mira.
Or maybe YOU are one of them.
Sometimes life gets so hard for some people. It changes them. They become grumpy, jealous or bitter. But do you know what that really is?
That is just fear.
But when Mira shows up, all we have to do is just open the door. Let her in. Let her love you. Somewhere near you, there is an Arin. You don't know what they are carrying inside. But you could be their Mira.
Yessss, YOU!!
"Be Kind... and don't mind."
With Love,
Minnu
Reviews
"Unbroken is a raw retelling of a journey that shows life as it is—filled with highs, lows, and the in-betweens where we’re faced with a choice: do we rise, or do we fall? This story reminded me that even in the darkest moments, we still have the power to choose hope."
— Riya Mallampati, 14, student and early reader
“Imagery and emotion crafted with grace and strength. A roadmap of resilience and a guide to start one’s healing process written with love. Sush’s telling of her story not only demonstrates her courage in surviving but her courage in telling it. Her writing is selfless, aimed more in helping the reader to see that the thin lines of our scars truly bind us all together.”
— Jennifer Boyer, Healthcare Professional
"Sushmitha Madhukar is a masterful writer, and Unbroken is a compelling, intimate, inspiring, and important book for each of us. She tells the story of how her life experiences taught her life’s most essential lessons: how to survive, how to thrive, and how to hold on to what really matters."
— Michael Stevens, Rabbi and Professor
Release Date : May 12, 2025
BOOKS
ABOUT
Sushmitha is a clinical research leader, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for education equity. A mother of twin boys and a mentor to young students, she uses her voice to champion the power of resilience and community.