Swami and Friends is the story of the tumultuous friendship of Swaminathan, his four childhood friends, and a new boy named Rajam. It takes place in British-colonial India in the year 1930. The story book is a thought-provoking read, perfect for a child between the ages of 7 and 12. The conflict that arises throughout the book between Swaminathan and his friends are problems that many children face today.