Hello! I’m Sita.
Welcome to this patchwork of storytelling. I write novels, plays and short stories rooted in community and empathy. Lots of them are about the rites of passage moments in life.
My debut novel ‘Artichoke Hearts’ won the Waterstones Book Prize. Since then my stories have been honoured by national and international awards, translated into many different languages and are endorsed by Amnesty International.
Have a look around this site to find a collage of my influences, highlighted through: podcasts, reviews and events. I write stories across genres that explore themes of culture, history, environmental protection, social justice, identity and belonging.
The young protagonists whose voices you’ll discover here have often been underrepresented. They dare to ask the big questions facing our world today. They are seeking answers and are not afraid to challenge injustice.
Latest News
Delighted that Empathy Lab have chosen Phoenix Brothers as part of their Read for Empathy 2026 collection in this Year of Reading
Arriving just in time for World Book Day 2026, this multi-lingual, illustrated communal poem is the culmination of three year project. Published by Walker Books, illustrated by Chris Riddell. In these times of strife, being part of the Seen & Heard movement to protect children’s rights of creative protest, is something I am immensely proud of.
In the 2026 Year of Reading, I’m working as an Ambassador of Book Clubs in Schools along with Tom Palmer. BCiS build spaces for dreaming, well-being and making meaning for some of the young people who have the least access to books. Every child has a chance to fall in love with stories, to be sustained by them and to help navigate their lives with all the opportunities and life experiences reading brings.
Events & Projects
Spring 2026
Celebrating the poetry of refugee and migrant young people who entered the Together in the UK writing competition.
Events & Projects
Together in the UK - Judging creative writing from young migrant and refugee voices in the Then & Now competition
Jhalak Prize - On the panel of judges, alongside Lanisha Butterfield and Christine Pillainayagam, for the Children’s & Young Adult category
Readconnect - With National Literacy Trust at H.M.P. East Sutton
TEDx Youth - ‘Moments That Matter’ - How listening to what young people need to thrive could just save humanity.
Seen and Heard - Resources developed as part of a child rights project leading to Hear Our Voices, a book for all the children who have participated. Written by myself and illustrated by Chris Riddel. See workshops with Nicky Parker from Amnesty International Poland and the team in Malta in the video below.
World Book Day 2026 - Wandsworth Welcome Refugees and Wandsworth Children’s Libraries - Exploring ‘Phoenix Brothers’ in a creative writing community setting.
“Remains with the reader long after the last page has been turned” - The Guardian
“Addresses complex ideas with grace and immense humanity” - Katherine Rundell
“Award-winning Sita Brahmahari has a great gift of understanding for the confusions and loneliness of adolescents and their need to be gently nurtured and cherished” - Julia Eccleshare
“I was moved and uplifted” - Michael Rosen