Punita Rice is the author of The River's Daughter, a story about forbidden love, feminine rebellion, and river magic, inspired by the legend of Mirza Sahiba. This is her debut novel.

A former teacher and education researcher, she holds a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and is the author of a nonfiction book on South Asian American students in schools. The River’s Daughter is her debut novel. Her work has appeared in Berkeley Review of Education, Education Week Teacher, Radio New Zealand, The Baltimore Sun, and other publications. She has also written several children’s books for her sons, called The Adventures of Hunny & Sunny. Though she now works outside education, she remains passionate about storytelling, learning, and raising curious, thoughtful kids.

Punita lives in Maryland with her husband, their boys, and their dog, and spends her free time daydreaming about rivers, rebellion, and love stories from the past.
You can get her updates by joining her newsletter, learn more about her work at punitarice.com, or connect with her on Instagram and TikTok @punitarice.