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Dec 14, 2019Tigard_HollyCP rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
It’s 1947 in India, or actually, what is soon to be Pakistan. In this epistolary novel, 12-year-old Nisha writes in her diary to the mother who died the day she and her twin brother were born. Nisha and Amil live with their Hindu father (Papa) and grandmother (Dadi) and their Muslim cook (Kazi) who is actually more like family than an employee. Partition is happening, and she has no idea what that even means. (To be honest, I need to know more about world history, because I didn’t, either). India is gaining independence from Britain, and Indian leaders have decided it would be safer for India to split into two countries and separate the Muslims to Pakistan, and Hindus, Sikhs and everyone else to India. So Nisha and her family (minus Kazi) are forced to leave what was once their India to the new part of India where they are allowed. The story is rich in history and character development. From her descriptions, I’m guessing that Nisha has selective mutism and Amil has dyslexia. The story was inspired by the author’s father’s experiences during Partition. Lovely, sometimes intense and sad, story by an #ownvoices author. Highly recommended for upper elementary and middle school.