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The Partition Project
In this engaging and moving middle grade novel, Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism starts a conversation about her grandmother’s experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan—and the bond that the two form as she helps Dadi tell her story.
When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.”
As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.
As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.
When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.”
As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.
As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2024
20 people are currently reading
3207 people want to read
About the author
Saadia Faruqi
139 books467 followersSaadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American author, essayist and interfaith activist. She writes the children’s early reader series “Yasmin” published by Capstone and other books for children, including middle grade novels “A Place At The Table” (HMH/Clarion 2020) co-written with Laura Shovan, and “A Thousand Questions” (Harper Collins 2020). She has also written “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan” a short story collection for adults and teens. Saadia is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry and prose, and was featured in Oprah Magazine in 2017 as a woman making a difference in her community. She resides in Houston, TX with her husband and children.
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March 1, 2024
In a Nutshell: A middle-grade novel about a young Pakistani-American girl who learns about the traumatic Partition days from her grandmother. Liked the partition-related segments – some of the scenes were heartbreaking. But the writing was somewhat mixed. Regardless, I appreciate the effort of bringing this part of Indo-Pak history to a new audience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Few children’s novels focus on traumatic historical events, and even when they do, the topics are usually restricted to those that have had an impact on the Western world. However, the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 into two countries – India and Pakistan, which was further split many years later and the Eastern chunk became Bangladesh – by the Brit colonists forever changed the history, the geography, and the politics of this part of the world. The event is a shared trauma for all the three nations and its citizens, whether we were alive in 1947 or not. Till date, we feel the repercussions of this heinous split. So I am glad to see a middle-grade novel take up this part of history as its central focus, even if the execution of the plot was a mixed bag to me.
Bookish Yays:
💐 The intent: Thank you to the author for choosing this topic! The world needs to know what happens when such selfish actions were taken by the colonists without any concern for the local citizens. The ego of the politicians was the only winner.
💐 Dadi’s character: A typical South Asian grandma, she is stern yet loving. And an expert cook! Through her behaviour, she offers a genuine and positive glimpse of a traditional Muslim woman. The bond between her and Mahnoor, once it develops, is touching.
💐 Mahnoor’s friends: Kim – a Vietnamese American – and Ahmed – a newly-emigrated Pakistani, both add much to the story. Ahmed’s portrayal in particular has a great deal of authenticity to it. I also liked Mahnoor’s elder brother Talha, who had no qualms entering the kitchen and cooking – not something we see desi boys do often in fiction. (Or in real life!)
💐 The Pakistani-American representation: Not that I have first-hand knowledge of this, but the desi rep felt very accurate. The kids especially were a nice amalgamation of South Asian and American cultures.
💐 The Islamic representation: Again, I am an outsider, but based on what I know, the depiction of the Muslim people felt very genuine. There is too much explanation at times about their rituals and preferences, but I guess this is fine as the book is aimed at a crowd that knows barely anything about Islam except what they hear in the media, which is rarely complimentary.
💐 The food: What yummy delicacies! When I read books with desi food, I simply can’t stop salivating! In this one, Mahnoor’s Dadi is constantly cooking some scrumptious Pakistani dishes. Islamic food is among my favourite options here for nonveg cuisine, so this book created an urge to go to the nearest Muslim restaurant and binge!
💐 The author’s note: Succinct, yet impactful. I loved learning about the 1947 repository.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 The Partition Project: As most of the partition details come through Mahnoor’s interviews with Dadi and the other seniors she meets, we get a first-person rendition of the painful events resulting from the country’s split. Many scenes left me teary-eyed, though I already knew what happened during the partition. These stories are never easy to read. However, the book doesn’t go in detail into the why’s of the partition. Yes, the country was split, but merely offering a one-sentence reason isn’t fair or accurate. The partition was a direct outcome of the colonial powers’ decision, so why not clarify that part of history as well? It’s like telling a child about the events of the Holocaust without informing them what led to it. The cause is as important as the effect.
🌹 Mahnoor’s character: Mahnoor is tough to like for most of the book. While she is clever and ambitious, she is also judgemental, entitled, and selfish. She begins as the typical girl who thinks old people know nothing. It was nice to see her improve in behaviour and acknowledge her mistakes towards the end, but it took her way too long to reach that point.
🌹 The subplots: The story should have primarily handled the partition, but there are too many unnecessary subplots, such as the presence of a typical “Mean Girl” kind of classmate in Tiffany, Mahnoor’s abhorrence for all things fiction, the friendship struggles with Kim, and Mahnoor’s obsession with journalism. Some of these are handled well, but some were just annoying. The book also feels somewhat unstructured because of the superfluous topics.
Bookish Nays:
🌵 Character inconsistencies: Mahnoor loves facts, yet she takes ages to go to Google to learn more about the Indo-Pak partition. She doesn’t know Urdu basics such as the meaning of her name or of phrases such as ‘Inshaallah’, but she has read the whole Quran in Urdu! She claims to love research, but she has never bothered to research her own family history. Mahnoor’s parents are constantly shown as being too busy and uninvolved in their children’s lives, but they are also shown as taking out time whenever needed by their children – so are they uninterested parents or involved ones?
🌵 Plot gaps: The book raises many topics that aren’t addressed properly. Why did Dadi come over from Pakistan? When and why was Mahnoor’s dad adopted? (You can’t bring up a character’s adoption status thrice and not give any further details of it!) The definition of halal was also incomplete, even though the word comes up multiple times in the book.
🌵 At 400+ pages, this is way too long for a middle-grade novel. The middle section of the book is somewhat tiresome and could have been trimmed. The scenes about Mahnoor’s parents forgetting about the documentary and her grandmother not realising that she was being recorded for an interview felt repetitive.
🌵 Mahnoor’s Ammi (mother) is an accomplished dietitician, yet she is shamed for not being able to cook at the same skill level as her mother-in-law. Why was this necessary? There are many scenes where Ammi is teased or insulted by the other family members, and she just grins and bears it. Comments about her shortcomings are passed even when she isn’t around to defend herself. Never right to do this, especially in a children’s book!
Despite my mixed feelings, I am still going to recommend this novel, and not just to people of Indian/Pakistani origin. Everyone needs to learn about the Partition. For the same reason that we need to learn about the Holocaust and the Vietnam War and the Holodomor and the ‘Black Death’ plague and the Depression and myriad other horrifying events of history. To learn from the errors of the past, to avoid the same mistakes in the present and to safeguard the future of the planet and our children.
This is my second book by this author, having earlier read and enjoyed her chapter book titled ‘Yasmin the Detective’. And because of how authentic she keeps the rep, I will continue reading her despite this mixed experience.
Recommended to middle-graders interested in learning about a not-so-known part of history, and to MG classrooms looking for a culturally inclusive, discussion-worthy book.
3.5 stars, rounding up because… you know… the desi heart cannot round it down.
My thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Partition Project”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Twelve-year-old Mahnoor has wanted to become a journalist for as long as she can remember. She loves facts and research, and can’t stand anything that stems from opinion instead of reality.
When she hears that her paternal grandmother – her ‘Dadi’ – is coming over from Pakistan to stay with them, she is not happy about having to give up her room and become Dadi’s “babysitter.” But once they begin talking, Mahnoor realises that Dadi’s memories of the Partition would be the perfect subject for the documentary she has to make for her media studies class. Thus begins the ‘Partition Project.’
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Mahnoor, with some content written in interview script.
Few children’s novels focus on traumatic historical events, and even when they do, the topics are usually restricted to those that have had an impact on the Western world. However, the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 into two countries – India and Pakistan, which was further split many years later and the Eastern chunk became Bangladesh – by the Brit colonists forever changed the history, the geography, and the politics of this part of the world. The event is a shared trauma for all the three nations and its citizens, whether we were alive in 1947 or not. Till date, we feel the repercussions of this heinous split. So I am glad to see a middle-grade novel take up this part of history as its central focus, even if the execution of the plot was a mixed bag to me.
Bookish Yays:
💐 The intent: Thank you to the author for choosing this topic! The world needs to know what happens when such selfish actions were taken by the colonists without any concern for the local citizens. The ego of the politicians was the only winner.
💐 Dadi’s character: A typical South Asian grandma, she is stern yet loving. And an expert cook! Through her behaviour, she offers a genuine and positive glimpse of a traditional Muslim woman. The bond between her and Mahnoor, once it develops, is touching.
💐 Mahnoor’s friends: Kim – a Vietnamese American – and Ahmed – a newly-emigrated Pakistani, both add much to the story. Ahmed’s portrayal in particular has a great deal of authenticity to it. I also liked Mahnoor’s elder brother Talha, who had no qualms entering the kitchen and cooking – not something we see desi boys do often in fiction. (Or in real life!)
💐 The Pakistani-American representation: Not that I have first-hand knowledge of this, but the desi rep felt very accurate. The kids especially were a nice amalgamation of South Asian and American cultures.
💐 The Islamic representation: Again, I am an outsider, but based on what I know, the depiction of the Muslim people felt very genuine. There is too much explanation at times about their rituals and preferences, but I guess this is fine as the book is aimed at a crowd that knows barely anything about Islam except what they hear in the media, which is rarely complimentary.
💐 The food: What yummy delicacies! When I read books with desi food, I simply can’t stop salivating! In this one, Mahnoor’s Dadi is constantly cooking some scrumptious Pakistani dishes. Islamic food is among my favourite options here for nonveg cuisine, so this book created an urge to go to the nearest Muslim restaurant and binge!
💐 The author’s note: Succinct, yet impactful. I loved learning about the 1947 repository.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 The Partition Project: As most of the partition details come through Mahnoor’s interviews with Dadi and the other seniors she meets, we get a first-person rendition of the painful events resulting from the country’s split. Many scenes left me teary-eyed, though I already knew what happened during the partition. These stories are never easy to read. However, the book doesn’t go in detail into the why’s of the partition. Yes, the country was split, but merely offering a one-sentence reason isn’t fair or accurate. The partition was a direct outcome of the colonial powers’ decision, so why not clarify that part of history as well? It’s like telling a child about the events of the Holocaust without informing them what led to it. The cause is as important as the effect.
🌹 Mahnoor’s character: Mahnoor is tough to like for most of the book. While she is clever and ambitious, she is also judgemental, entitled, and selfish. She begins as the typical girl who thinks old people know nothing. It was nice to see her improve in behaviour and acknowledge her mistakes towards the end, but it took her way too long to reach that point.
🌹 The subplots: The story should have primarily handled the partition, but there are too many unnecessary subplots, such as the presence of a typical “Mean Girl” kind of classmate in Tiffany, Mahnoor’s abhorrence for all things fiction, the friendship struggles with Kim, and Mahnoor’s obsession with journalism. Some of these are handled well, but some were just annoying. The book also feels somewhat unstructured because of the superfluous topics.
Bookish Nays:
🌵 Character inconsistencies: Mahnoor loves facts, yet she takes ages to go to Google to learn more about the Indo-Pak partition. She doesn’t know Urdu basics such as the meaning of her name or of phrases such as ‘Inshaallah’, but she has read the whole Quran in Urdu! She claims to love research, but she has never bothered to research her own family history. Mahnoor’s parents are constantly shown as being too busy and uninvolved in their children’s lives, but they are also shown as taking out time whenever needed by their children – so are they uninterested parents or involved ones?
🌵 Plot gaps: The book raises many topics that aren’t addressed properly. Why did Dadi come over from Pakistan? When and why was Mahnoor’s dad adopted? (You can’t bring up a character’s adoption status thrice and not give any further details of it!) The definition of halal was also incomplete, even though the word comes up multiple times in the book.
🌵 At 400+ pages, this is way too long for a middle-grade novel. The middle section of the book is somewhat tiresome and could have been trimmed. The scenes about Mahnoor’s parents forgetting about the documentary and her grandmother not realising that she was being recorded for an interview felt repetitive.
🌵 Mahnoor’s Ammi (mother) is an accomplished dietitician, yet she is shamed for not being able to cook at the same skill level as her mother-in-law. Why was this necessary? There are many scenes where Ammi is teased or insulted by the other family members, and she just grins and bears it. Comments about her shortcomings are passed even when she isn’t around to defend herself. Never right to do this, especially in a children’s book!
Despite my mixed feelings, I am still going to recommend this novel, and not just to people of Indian/Pakistani origin. Everyone needs to learn about the Partition. For the same reason that we need to learn about the Holocaust and the Vietnam War and the Holodomor and the ‘Black Death’ plague and the Depression and myriad other horrifying events of history. To learn from the errors of the past, to avoid the same mistakes in the present and to safeguard the future of the planet and our children.
This is my second book by this author, having earlier read and enjoyed her chapter book titled ‘Yasmin the Detective’. And because of how authentic she keeps the rep, I will continue reading her despite this mixed experience.
Recommended to middle-graders interested in learning about a not-so-known part of history, and to MG classrooms looking for a culturally inclusive, discussion-worthy book.
3.5 stars, rounding up because… you know… the desi heart cannot round it down.
My thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Partition Project”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
April 9, 2024
Beautiful and important book 📖 👏 👏
Everyone should read this and get some history in their brain 🧠. History important and to kinda quote the book.. it can still have an impact on today, rippling through the past to reach the present.
Definitely will be putting more books to read on my list.
Maha's growth as a person and her passion for her history, getting closer with her whole family, was beautiful to watch 💖.
I don't have words to describe reading about what happened during Partition... just wow :(. Very inadequate, but Lotta big feelings swirling around.
Please read this book, you won't regret it !
Everyone should read this and get some history in their brain 🧠. History important and to kinda quote the book.. it can still have an impact on today, rippling through the past to reach the present.
Definitely will be putting more books to read on my list.
Maha's growth as a person and her passion for her history, getting closer with her whole family, was beautiful to watch 💖.
I don't have words to describe reading about what happened during Partition... just wow :(. Very inadequate, but Lotta big feelings swirling around.
Please read this book, you won't regret it !
September 30, 2024
Loved the writing and the grandma character! I love how realistic the school environment is in the book.
I appreciate the representations, the friendship aspect as well as the “know our origin” aspect.
However, things seem to get a little too convenient for the main character till the end while she is not the best main character you would read in an average middle grade book. She tends to get a little too self obsessed and tend to get too much of “everything is about me” kind of behaviour while the adults around her couldn’t do anything much about it.
However, things get well when all ends well.
Love the cover!
I appreciate the representations, the friendship aspect as well as the “know our origin” aspect.
However, things seem to get a little too convenient for the main character till the end while she is not the best main character you would read in an average middle grade book. She tends to get a little too self obsessed and tend to get too much of “everything is about me” kind of behaviour while the adults around her couldn’t do anything much about it.
However, things get well when all ends well.
Love the cover!
April 11, 2024
Besides Maha being such a spoiled brat lmao, this was such a great read! As someone who was a documentary filmmaker, Maha's journey as a budding journalist/documentary filmmaker reminded me of my good old days.
As an adult reader, I didn't really learn anything new. But if I were in the age range for this, I would've learned a lot about Partition and how it affected everyone in the region on a personal and generational level.
I did sympathize with the bestie drama though, along with growing pains, learning about your own culture and religion, and gaining new interests/hobbies.
Lastly, I loved the secular Muslim rep. It was so relatable. I loved that Maha wasn't shamed for not being as religious as her cohort or her grandmother. And reading this during Ramadan while Ramadan also took place in the story was the icing on the cake. ☪
As an adult reader, I didn't really learn anything new. But if I were in the age range for this, I would've learned a lot about Partition and how it affected everyone in the region on a personal and generational level.
I did sympathize with the bestie drama though, along with growing pains, learning about your own culture and religion, and gaining new interests/hobbies.
Lastly, I loved the secular Muslim rep. It was so relatable. I loved that Maha wasn't shamed for not being as religious as her cohort or her grandmother. And reading this during Ramadan while Ramadan also took place in the story was the icing on the cake. ☪
September 23, 2023
THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
I've read Saadia's work before and it is directed toward a certain demographic and it is fun to know that POV. The setting is similar to her other novels and the nature of MC too. Mahnoor is a second-generation immigrant. Family dynamics are typical, parents are so busy settling down and running in the race that they've been neglecting their kids. Kids are not really connected to their history or religion.
Grandmother Rafia is a change, they might need in their life. Mahnoor is not forward to this change, a new person who is gonna join their family, and family dynamics will change forever, not only that, she is the designated babysitter of her dadi so she is grumpy. Once she started to spend time with Dadi and other people from her generation, Mahnoor got to know about Partition. I've never read any fiction author writing about partition (it's the first time for me to read about that in English that too as a main theme). I am sure the majority of second-generation immigrants don't know about it but I felt like the author underplayed a few things or it was a tame version as it was a middle grade. I've grown up reading and listening to stories of partition from my grandparents and their siblings so I felt like this version was more for the entire South Asian audience.
All of Saadia's MCs are young, hot-tempered, and kind of spoiled, with time they make everything hard for them. From school life to home, they mess up everything. By the end, they go through severe character development. I am getting kind of bored of this. I hope I'll get to read a bit different content in her next book. I enjoyed this book a lot but I felt these certain things.
I've read Saadia's work before and it is directed toward a certain demographic and it is fun to know that POV. The setting is similar to her other novels and the nature of MC too. Mahnoor is a second-generation immigrant. Family dynamics are typical, parents are so busy settling down and running in the race that they've been neglecting their kids. Kids are not really connected to their history or religion.
Grandmother Rafia is a change, they might need in their life. Mahnoor is not forward to this change, a new person who is gonna join their family, and family dynamics will change forever, not only that, she is the designated babysitter of her dadi so she is grumpy. Once she started to spend time with Dadi and other people from her generation, Mahnoor got to know about Partition. I've never read any fiction author writing about partition (it's the first time for me to read about that in English that too as a main theme). I am sure the majority of second-generation immigrants don't know about it but I felt like the author underplayed a few things or it was a tame version as it was a middle grade. I've grown up reading and listening to stories of partition from my grandparents and their siblings so I felt like this version was more for the entire South Asian audience.
All of Saadia's MCs are young, hot-tempered, and kind of spoiled, with time they make everything hard for them. From school life to home, they mess up everything. By the end, they go through severe character development. I am getting kind of bored of this. I hope I'll get to read a bit different content in her next book. I enjoyed this book a lot but I felt these certain things.
September 10, 2024
The author’s note at the end of this book was very moving and left me disappointed that the novel didn’t have the same tone. Forced, unoriginal plot and flat characters—like mean girl Tiffany (which I don’t think has been the name of any mean girls since 1990). The author wants be sure readers understand the historical significance and spells it out for us over and over, along with other political beliefs strewn throughout.
I get that there’s the unsubtle theme about the value of storytelling, but the small amount of the book that is actually about the partition (which I actually wanted to learn about) was entirely a nearly emotionless interview. Would have been much more interesting if the whole book or more of it were from the grandmother’s perspective—more like The Lost Year.
And a side note, I am frustrated by books with middle grade characters who have unrestricted smartphone access. It only highlights the absence of a device that kids without phones or with limited access feel; it would be great to find a character in a book with reasonable technology boundaries.
I get that there’s the unsubtle theme about the value of storytelling, but the small amount of the book that is actually about the partition (which I actually wanted to learn about) was entirely a nearly emotionless interview. Would have been much more interesting if the whole book or more of it were from the grandmother’s perspective—more like The Lost Year.
And a side note, I am frustrated by books with middle grade characters who have unrestricted smartphone access. It only highlights the absence of a device that kids without phones or with limited access feel; it would be great to find a character in a book with reasonable technology boundaries.
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April 14, 2024
4 stars✧˖°.
My first real interaction with the partition was with Ms. Marvel. I was vaguely aware of the division of India, but I have no idea just how gruesome it was or why it even took place at all. I was more or less given the kids version, and I accepted that as the whole truth.
Maha ˖°.
Maha was a brat who thought she was above everyone else and only the things that mattered to her were important. I'm glad she grew as a character and at the end of the book she accepts that the partition, desi culture and Muslim culture are all a part of what makes her unique. It incredibly disheartening to see people assimilate to cultures that aren't their own and throw away their entire identity to fit in. In Maha's case, trying to separate herself from her culture because she's a first-generation American.
Thoughts ˖°.
Overall it was a great book, it took some time to get used to the audiobook but I really enjoyed it. This felt somewhat therapeutic and made me want to do more research on other past historical events that shaped the lives of people. Dadi having to relive her trauma which happened to her at the same age as Maha, is extremely sad to listen. I feel extremely privileged to have read this book and be able to write a review while others continue to struggle with the aftermath of years of destruction caused by colonisation and active genocides are still happening.
Kid-version? Why? I was a child when it happened. Nobody protected me from the truth. I saw all that death and destruction right in front of my eyes. So why do you girls want to be shielded? pg. 110
My first real interaction with the partition was with Ms. Marvel. I was vaguely aware of the division of India, but I have no idea just how gruesome it was or why it even took place at all. I was more or less given the kids version, and I accepted that as the whole truth.
Maha ˖°.
Maha was a brat who thought she was above everyone else and only the things that mattered to her were important. I'm glad she grew as a character and at the end of the book she accepts that the partition, desi culture and Muslim culture are all a part of what makes her unique. It incredibly disheartening to see people assimilate to cultures that aren't their own and throw away their entire identity to fit in.
Thoughts ˖°.
Overall it was a great book, it took some time to get used to the audiobook but I really enjoyed it. This felt somewhat therapeutic and made me want to do more research on other past historical events that shaped the lives of people. Dadi having to relive her trauma which happened to her at the same age as Maha, is extremely sad to listen. I feel extremely privileged to have read this book and be able to write a review while others continue to struggle with the aftermath of years of destruction caused by colonisation and active genocides are still happening.
Want to read
March 25, 2025i know nothing about the culture or politics or history of what they talk about in this book so i feel like i need to read it soon
February 26, 2024
Have you heard of The Partition?
I had not prior to reading Saadia Faruqi’s latest novel The Partition Project. Which tells the story about Maha a middle schooler with an extreme passion for journalism. Maha’s grandmother has recently moved in with her family all the way from Pakistan and it’s Maha’s job to make her grandmother feel welcome. Not enthusiastic about her new role as a “babysitter” Maha starts coming around once Dadi starts sharing her memories/history of growing up during The Partition… which seems like the perfect topic for her documentary she needs to make for her media studies project.
With multiple characters and side plots that all go hand in hand and really bring the story to life, Saadia has written something that feels true to this age group as well as shared a part of history that so many may not even know about. Maha’s character just wants to thrive and be the best in what she’s passionate about at times it was to much, but at that age…I was to much 😂 so it worked perfectly. She had major growth throughout the book and I’m going to miss these characters!
I hope this book inspires the younger crowd to chat with someone older in their family/community. I just remember being younger and wish I took advantage of those moment with my grandparents…The last chapter got me 🥹
Thank you Quill Tree Books
Releases 2/27
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
I had not prior to reading Saadia Faruqi’s latest novel The Partition Project. Which tells the story about Maha a middle schooler with an extreme passion for journalism. Maha’s grandmother has recently moved in with her family all the way from Pakistan and it’s Maha’s job to make her grandmother feel welcome. Not enthusiastic about her new role as a “babysitter” Maha starts coming around once Dadi starts sharing her memories/history of growing up during The Partition… which seems like the perfect topic for her documentary she needs to make for her media studies project.
With multiple characters and side plots that all go hand in hand and really bring the story to life, Saadia has written something that feels true to this age group as well as shared a part of history that so many may not even know about. Maha’s character just wants to thrive and be the best in what she’s passionate about at times it was to much, but at that age…I was to much 😂 so it worked perfectly. She had major growth throughout the book and I’m going to miss these characters!
I hope this book inspires the younger crowd to chat with someone older in their family/community. I just remember being younger and wish I took advantage of those moment with my grandparents…The last chapter got me 🥹
Thank you Quill Tree Books
Releases 2/27
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
January 18, 2024
The Partition Project (Hardcover)
by Saadia Faruqi
This is a good social understanding project. With a lot of references to Pakistan and Muslim belief. It's a good discussion prompt for a middle school classroom. Allowing students to question the information they consume, and what the school teaches. The author shows the time limitations of schools to cover all information especially history of the world. The need for finding connection to many subjects is discussed in education all the time. Teachers want to make the connections, but sometimes the required education standards make it hard for them to diversify the material.
The problem of generational gaps because of financial means happens in every social economic strata. Parents are working and don't have time to spend with their children. This disconnection makes knowledge gaps for children. Without extended family they do not learn their family history, religion, of expectations. Making kids more dependent on media and peers. This book shows the importance of extended family, and community connections.
by Saadia Faruqi
This is a good social understanding project. With a lot of references to Pakistan and Muslim belief. It's a good discussion prompt for a middle school classroom. Allowing students to question the information they consume, and what the school teaches. The author shows the time limitations of schools to cover all information especially history of the world. The need for finding connection to many subjects is discussed in education all the time. Teachers want to make the connections, but sometimes the required education standards make it hard for them to diversify the material.
The problem of generational gaps because of financial means happens in every social economic strata. Parents are working and don't have time to spend with their children. This disconnection makes knowledge gaps for children. Without extended family they do not learn their family history, religion, of expectations. Making kids more dependent on media and peers. This book shows the importance of extended family, and community connections.
October 12, 2023
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
I love historical fiction, especially when it delves into parts of history that are less explored in western culture. I think the first I heard of the Partition was the Ms Marvel series on Disney+, so when I saw this novel I wanted to learn more. I love the way this was told as a story, an interview, so it grants a sort of distance from the horrors of the Partition, while still showing it as actual events that impacted people’s lives in big and little ways, and how it created generational trauma. This is also a great story of Maha figuring out how to navigate her friendship, changes in her life with Dadi moving in with them, and having to help Dadi. There’s also really great elements of community, and how friendships can develop when given a space to get to know people. This truly was excellent and I feel like I learned a lot, and want to learn more, and hope this finds readers who will also get something out of this story of intersection of history and present day, and how past trauma can shape a person’s present and future but also grow into hope and strength.
I love historical fiction, especially when it delves into parts of history that are less explored in western culture. I think the first I heard of the Partition was the Ms Marvel series on Disney+, so when I saw this novel I wanted to learn more. I love the way this was told as a story, an interview, so it grants a sort of distance from the horrors of the Partition, while still showing it as actual events that impacted people’s lives in big and little ways, and how it created generational trauma. This is also a great story of Maha figuring out how to navigate her friendship, changes in her life with Dadi moving in with them, and having to help Dadi. There’s also really great elements of community, and how friendships can develop when given a space to get to know people. This truly was excellent and I feel like I learned a lot, and want to learn more, and hope this finds readers who will also get something out of this story of intersection of history and present day, and how past trauma can shape a person’s present and future but also grow into hope and strength.
February 24, 2024
This book made me push off every other item on my Saturday to-do list to keep reading instead. Filled with insights about family, friendship, history, journalism, passion projects, the importance of stories, intergenerational relationships, and cultural and familial heritage, this story is rich and layered. The characters drew me in, and I feel readers will relate to the main character right from the get-go, just as I had from a page or two in. The book will make you appreciate your grandparents if they are still alive and miss them if they are not. It will make you think about the ways in which we become who are are and the ways in which we are all connected. It will inform many about historical events they may not already be familiar with. Interesting and important, the book kept me engaged and turning the pages to learn more and more, and to see where the characters’ experiences were going.
December 28, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Maha is your typical 7th grader with typical friend and school drama. Maha wants to be a journalist, so when she’s assigned a documentary project in her media studies class, she is excited even if she doesn’t know what her subject matter will be. It isn’t until she starts getting to know her dadi (her grandmother), who has judged moved from Pakistan to Texas to that Maha finds inspiration. In hearing her dadi’s stories about growing up and living through Partition, Maha discovers her own identity.
The Partition Project is a solid middle grades novel and will appeal to many readers.
Publication Date: 26 February 2024
Maha is your typical 7th grader with typical friend and school drama. Maha wants to be a journalist, so when she’s assigned a documentary project in her media studies class, she is excited even if she doesn’t know what her subject matter will be. It isn’t until she starts getting to know her dadi (her grandmother), who has judged moved from Pakistan to Texas to that Maha finds inspiration. In hearing her dadi’s stories about growing up and living through Partition, Maha discovers her own identity.
The Partition Project is a solid middle grades novel and will appeal to many readers.
Publication Date: 26 February 2024
January 11, 2024
This is such a fantastic middle grade! It's about a Pakistani American girl, Mahnoor, who dreams of being a journalist. She has a mistaken idea that journalists don't deal with fiction or history. However, when her grandmother, Dadi, comes to live with them and tells her stories about the Partition, Mahnoor realizes that history is actually very relevant to the present. When her media studies teacher assigns the class a documentary, and Mahnoor decides hers will be about the Partition. I loved Mahnoor, her voice is so fresh and realistic. I loved her friends, and as a history nerd and a journalist, I loved the themes about the importance of history and the obligations of a journalist. This is really smart, well written, and moving. I wish I could watch Mahnoor's documentary!
March 7, 2024
how to learn about The Partition
I have to admit that although I knew about The Partition, when in 1947 India and Pakistan split apart, I only looked into it after an episode of Doctor Who. I had never known about it and as the main character in the book says: they teach us about the Holocaust, but not about this.
In this novel we learn about it because Maha’s grandmother (her Dadi) starts telling her stories of her life and how it changed after Partition. Once Maha does a little research on it she wants to know more and begins to interview her Dadi and deciding it will be her school project.
This is a great way to learn about the Partition. I really enjoyed how this was interwoven with the usual middle school squabbles about friendship.
I have to admit that although I knew about The Partition, when in 1947 India and Pakistan split apart, I only looked into it after an episode of Doctor Who. I had never known about it and as the main character in the book says: they teach us about the Holocaust, but not about this.
In this novel we learn about it because Maha’s grandmother (her Dadi) starts telling her stories of her life and how it changed after Partition. Once Maha does a little research on it she wants to know more and begins to interview her Dadi and deciding it will be her school project.
This is a great way to learn about the Partition. I really enjoyed how this was interwoven with the usual middle school squabbles about friendship.
March 24, 2024
Wow! This book has heart ❤️. I read this book in one day and loved the connection between history and today. Maha is a true to life middle schooler who makes mistakes with her friends, follows her journalistic passion and begins to notice the importance of her Dadi moving in with the family. Beautifully written.
June 25, 2024
I had vaguely heard about the Partition before, but this book gave me so much more insight into it. Dadi's stories and the MC's struggles all felt real and tangible. I'm not sure if it was my love of ancestry or a good book that pulled me in, but I loved this book and would recommend it to literally anyone.
April 13, 2024
Middle school appropriate. This book was wonderful. The main character feels so real, not just because she is a well-rounded character but because she feels like she is really in 7th grade and not like an adult trying to remember what it was like to be that age, if that makes sense. I literally read the entire book in one sitting. Super engaging and immersive. I want to eat all the foods in the book and wear all the fashions and also I want to see Maha’s documentary!
July 16, 2024
Current day story about an American girl of Pakistani heritage who learns about Partition from her grandmother. The story balances middle school life and family issues alongside the grandmother's memories of her family's struggle as they moved from India to Pakistan in 1947.
March 18, 2024
3.75 rated up
Great and informative book. Couldn’t stand the main character for a long time and the beginning was quite rocky but in the end it all came together nicely.
Great and informative book. Couldn’t stand the main character for a long time and the beginning was quite rocky but in the end it all came together nicely.
May 4, 2024
This is a story that needs to be shared. I'm not sure if the intended audience will power through to the end. I enjoyed it, but I was waiting for it to be over at several points.
June 19, 2024
A great middle school age book that connects the past with the present and delves into an often overlooked area of history.
January 9, 2025
I wanted to like this more, but there were too many details that didn't quite work with the plot: The journalism teacher should have covered consent in class before starting the project, instead of just on a handout. A month went by between interviewing her grandmother? Those were just a few things that kept bugging me.
November 23, 2024
Such an enjoyable read! The historical part about The 1947 Partition is not that detailed or deep, but I get to see the impact through the trauma experienced by Dadi and her friends at the senior center.
Imo, the story is more focused on Maha's teenage years and all the ups and downs she went through. My favorite part was when Dadi cooked traditional desi food with Talha and Maha, mouthwatering! I love Maha's friendship with Kim and Ahmad too and how shes end up reading Vietnam Historical Fiction because of Kim.
After finished The Partition Project, I'd learn further about this painful tragedy.
Imo, the story is more focused on Maha's teenage years and all the ups and downs she went through. My favorite part was when Dadi cooked traditional desi food with Talha and Maha, mouthwatering! I love Maha's friendship with Kim and Ahmad too and how shes end up reading Vietnam Historical Fiction because of Kim.
After finished The Partition Project, I'd learn further about this painful tragedy.
December 13, 2023
Saadia Faruqi excels at introducing a young audience to the history and multi-generational impact of the Partition of India and Pakistan, focusing not only in telling an insightful tale but teaching readers about compassion, consent and how to create space for healing.
February 27, 2024
4.5 stars
This is another hit from Saadia Faruqi!
Maha, the m.c., is an extremely likeable (if at times hilariously curmudgeonly) 7th grader, and readers cannot help but root for her to keep getting herself into weird pickles and especially keep tallying some great wins.
Readers meet Maha while she waits - along with her mom, dad, and older brother - for Dadi (her grandmother) to arrive in Texas from Pakistan. Maha only sees Dadi's arrival as an impediment. She has to give up her room, her free time, and a lot of other comforts at first. However, like all good middle grade heroines, Maha gets over this nonsense and grows to love and appreciate Dadi and other aspects of her roots in the process.
One of the most endearing elements of Maha's character (there are many) is her devotion to journalism. When she's assigned a documentary project, this coincides with her burgeoning distaste for history and Dadi's arrival, and this is where the titular partition project comes into play. Maha makes some major relationship-oriented missteps with family, friends, and acquaintances throughout her journey, and Faruqi writes her through these exceptionally well. I'll add a notable mention for Faruqi's treatment of Maha's burgeoning awareness of romantic interests, too: adorable, believable, and age appropriate.
While the end wraps a bit cleanly for my taste, genre considerations included, I really enjoyed this one and look forward to sharing it with my students. On top of the great characters and themes, there is, of course, some historical information here that will be new and incredibly impactful for many readers. I'm already looking forward to what Faruqi offers us next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is another hit from Saadia Faruqi!
Maha, the m.c., is an extremely likeable (if at times hilariously curmudgeonly) 7th grader, and readers cannot help but root for her to keep getting herself into weird pickles and especially keep tallying some great wins.
Readers meet Maha while she waits - along with her mom, dad, and older brother - for Dadi (her grandmother) to arrive in Texas from Pakistan. Maha only sees Dadi's arrival as an impediment. She has to give up her room, her free time, and a lot of other comforts at first. However, like all good middle grade heroines, Maha gets over this nonsense and grows to love and appreciate Dadi and other aspects of her roots in the process.
One of the most endearing elements of Maha's character (there are many) is her devotion to journalism. When she's assigned a documentary project, this coincides with her burgeoning distaste for history and Dadi's arrival, and this is where the titular partition project comes into play. Maha makes some major relationship-oriented missteps with family, friends, and acquaintances throughout her journey, and Faruqi writes her through these exceptionally well. I'll add a notable mention for Faruqi's treatment of Maha's burgeoning awareness of romantic interests, too: adorable, believable, and age appropriate.
While the end wraps a bit cleanly for my taste, genre considerations included, I really enjoyed this one and look forward to sharing it with my students. On top of the great characters and themes, there is, of course, some historical information here that will be new and incredibly impactful for many readers. I'm already looking forward to what Faruqi offers us next!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
February 27, 2024
I have always maintained that my reviews are not personal, and for over 10 years, I kept to that. I recently made a public exception however, for Palestine. I cannot and have not checked every author, every illustrator, every publisher, or every agent, to see who has spoken up about the genocide, but there are a few prolific authors that are standards in the niche of Islamic fiction literature. Who have elevated our representation with a standard of quality and consistency across multiple age groups over the years, whose stature made their silence, seeming or actual, to the occupation, the apartheid, and the ongoing attempted erasure of a people and culture impossible to miss. No there is no standard or bare minimum, this is all emotion, and if you are thinking who am I to judge, or maybe I missed something, yes you are right. None-the-less it definitely caught my attention that an author who remained silent, wrote a 416 page middle grade book about partition, a historical event impossible to separate from colonization. I know the timeline for books to be published is not quick, but when I read the characters discussing that, "If we only read books by perfect authors, we'd read...nothing, I guess." It felt a little defensive, and while I never set out to shame anyone, I have written this disclaimer to hold to my word, and to acknowledge that as much as I have set out to write the remainder of this review as I would review any book, my own disappointment in the author, may show through. Literary wise the book is moving, heartfelt even, but the performative othering, the internalized Islamophobia, and the catering to a western gaze, are subtle, but undeniably there. Perhaps the biggest example is the word "British," the whole reason for partition, is only mentioned a grand total of six times.
SYNOPSIS:
Mahnoor, aka Maha, is in seventh grade, and her whole world has just flipped upside down. Her Dadi, her paternal grandmother, has just moved in from Pakistan, taking her room, and her free time. Plus Dadi is old and grumpy, and Maha is not amused. With parents that are too busy to spend time with her, Dadi slowly but surely starts to fill in a lot of pieces that Maha didn't know were lacking in her life. Through food and stories and the start of Ramadan, Maha learns about Islam, Pakistan, friendship, and with a school documentary assignment, partition. A historical event she had never heard about before, starts to be all she can think about. It also seems to hang over everything she encounters from a book on a novel study English assignment list, to the train in their neighborhood, everyone at the senior center, and even Texas history. With dreams of being a journalist, Maha's singular focus because almost obsessive, according to her friend Kim, but the more she learns, the more she changes. And the changes are for the better, even if there are some stumbles along the way, fighting with Kim, making Dadi runaway, calling out her parents preoccupation with work, missed fasts. The book has a happy ending though, as the unlikeable privileged Maha at the beginning, transforms to being someone the reader is cheering for at the end.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I am Pakistani-American, being half Pakistani and half American, the hyphen for me signals both my parents. So I was thrilled a year or so ago when I first heard about this book. I am a bit removed from partition because my father was the first in his family to be born in Pakistan, and my in-laws did not move from India until much later. That being said, I know it is a part of me, as all desis do, and was eager to read this middle grade book. Please note though, I am also white passing American (albeit with a hijab), so I can tell when I am being pandered to as well.
Do I feel the book did the topic justice? Absolutely not, by not discussing colonialism and British occupation, a huge part of the setup is conveniently ignored. It also is very placating of what the Muslims, Seikhs and Hindus seemed to want as Jinnah and Nehru are only name dropped once. Gandhi not at all. I get that the book presumably isn't about that, but by ignoring it all together, there is some intent there, possible watering down for a white audience, that doesn't sit right with me.
This book feels like it is written for non Muslims. The dialogues about being a good person even though they don't follow Islam as they should, and pray and fast and eat halal, seem like internalized Islamophobia, that is trying to normalize not practicing. When the text goes so far as to call those that do fast all 30 days "ultra-religious" it seems to walk back the numerous passages of Maha loving fasting and finding peace in prayer. The takeaway for a Muslim reader will be a little self doubt, for a non Muslim reader it will reinforce the labels of "those Muslims" and "extremists." It makes what many Muslims find basic faith requirements, come across as optional here in America, like taking off shoes when entering your house. With that being said though, the book does have a lot of heart, and in many places Islam and Pakistani culture are warm, but that warmth often comes through attempts to appeal to a non Muslim western lens. Similarly the stereotypes do as well. Pakistan is considered conservative, which is dismissed as meaning, "code for no swimsuits." Wow, a whole culture and religion, so easily labeled and stereotyped. Stings a bit, not gonna lie.
Maha's parents are not religious, so much of Maha's knowledge of Islam is coming from what she sees her Dadi do, pray, fast, read Quran, etc. Except, Maha knows how to read Quran, and pray, she just needs practice. So explain, how she doesn't know what inshaAllah means? This is just one example of inconsistency bumps in the text. At one point they eat iftar, and then a few hours later have dinner, I mean sure it is possible, but it seems weird. Her frail grandma runs away on a hiking trail? She wants the archive curators approval for her documentary and not her Dadi's? Overall, Maha rarely reads like she is 12. At the start when she is whining, is about it, the rest of the book she reads much much older.
FLAGS:
Boy girl close friendships, angry mobs with guns, death, cholera, internalized islamophobia, talk of gods and demigods in Percy Jackson, mention of J.K. Rowling negative comments on trans community, fear.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I cannot in good conscious purchase, recommend, or even check this book out from the library. I received an advanced digital arc, but my heart is too heavy by the author's silence in the face of the atrocities occurring in front of us regarding Palestine.
SYNOPSIS:
Mahnoor, aka Maha, is in seventh grade, and her whole world has just flipped upside down. Her Dadi, her paternal grandmother, has just moved in from Pakistan, taking her room, and her free time. Plus Dadi is old and grumpy, and Maha is not amused. With parents that are too busy to spend time with her, Dadi slowly but surely starts to fill in a lot of pieces that Maha didn't know were lacking in her life. Through food and stories and the start of Ramadan, Maha learns about Islam, Pakistan, friendship, and with a school documentary assignment, partition. A historical event she had never heard about before, starts to be all she can think about. It also seems to hang over everything she encounters from a book on a novel study English assignment list, to the train in their neighborhood, everyone at the senior center, and even Texas history. With dreams of being a journalist, Maha's singular focus because almost obsessive, according to her friend Kim, but the more she learns, the more she changes. And the changes are for the better, even if there are some stumbles along the way, fighting with Kim, making Dadi runaway, calling out her parents preoccupation with work, missed fasts. The book has a happy ending though, as the unlikeable privileged Maha at the beginning, transforms to being someone the reader is cheering for at the end.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I am Pakistani-American, being half Pakistani and half American, the hyphen for me signals both my parents. So I was thrilled a year or so ago when I first heard about this book. I am a bit removed from partition because my father was the first in his family to be born in Pakistan, and my in-laws did not move from India until much later. That being said, I know it is a part of me, as all desis do, and was eager to read this middle grade book. Please note though, I am also white passing American (albeit with a hijab), so I can tell when I am being pandered to as well.
Do I feel the book did the topic justice? Absolutely not, by not discussing colonialism and British occupation, a huge part of the setup is conveniently ignored. It also is very placating of what the Muslims, Seikhs and Hindus seemed to want as Jinnah and Nehru are only name dropped once. Gandhi not at all. I get that the book presumably isn't about that, but by ignoring it all together, there is some intent there, possible watering down for a white audience, that doesn't sit right with me.
This book feels like it is written for non Muslims. The dialogues about being a good person even though they don't follow Islam as they should, and pray and fast and eat halal, seem like internalized Islamophobia, that is trying to normalize not practicing. When the text goes so far as to call those that do fast all 30 days "ultra-religious" it seems to walk back the numerous passages of Maha loving fasting and finding peace in prayer. The takeaway for a Muslim reader will be a little self doubt, for a non Muslim reader it will reinforce the labels of "those Muslims" and "extremists." It makes what many Muslims find basic faith requirements, come across as optional here in America, like taking off shoes when entering your house. With that being said though, the book does have a lot of heart, and in many places Islam and Pakistani culture are warm, but that warmth often comes through attempts to appeal to a non Muslim western lens. Similarly the stereotypes do as well. Pakistan is considered conservative, which is dismissed as meaning, "code for no swimsuits." Wow, a whole culture and religion, so easily labeled and stereotyped. Stings a bit, not gonna lie.
Maha's parents are not religious, so much of Maha's knowledge of Islam is coming from what she sees her Dadi do, pray, fast, read Quran, etc. Except, Maha knows how to read Quran, and pray, she just needs practice. So explain, how she doesn't know what inshaAllah means? This is just one example of inconsistency bumps in the text. At one point they eat iftar, and then a few hours later have dinner, I mean sure it is possible, but it seems weird. Her frail grandma runs away on a hiking trail? She wants the archive curators approval for her documentary and not her Dadi's? Overall, Maha rarely reads like she is 12. At the start when she is whining, is about it, the rest of the book she reads much much older.
FLAGS:
Boy girl close friendships, angry mobs with guns, death, cholera, internalized islamophobia, talk of gods and demigods in Percy Jackson, mention of J.K. Rowling negative comments on trans community, fear.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I cannot in good conscious purchase, recommend, or even check this book out from the library. I received an advanced digital arc, but my heart is too heavy by the author's silence in the face of the atrocities occurring in front of us regarding Palestine.
September 19, 2023
"It's not any history I've ever learned in school."
The Partition Project struck close to home for me as I truly felt represented by the main character, Maha. The story centers around 12 year old Maha learning about the 1947 Partition between India and Pakistan, and using what she learns to make a documentary for a school project. Maha's grandmother comes from Pakistan to live with her family in Texas, and teaches Maha various aspects of her history and culture.
The details in the story Maha's grandmother relays mirror the stories I've heard from my own grandmother.
Maha's grandmother was 12; my grandmother was 10 during Partition.
Like with Maha's grandmother's family, someone came to warn them that it wasn't going to be safe in the neighborhood anymore. They even thought that they might one day be able to return to their home.
I really appreciated that the Partition story was spread out in manageable chunks throughout the book- I had to take breaks as it was getting heavy. It was also beautiful to see that the characters were addressing trauma, something not often discussed with that generation. I can relate to being made to feel "not desi enough," and I enjoyed the details of Maha's life throughout the book. I only wish this book had been around 15 years ago when I was Maha's age!
I actually think this would be an amazing book for kids to read in school. Like the book discusses, it's a bit strange that this aspect of world history is seldom found in media. I think everyone should read this book, and I will be recommending it to everyone once it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC!
The Partition Project struck close to home for me as I truly felt represented by the main character, Maha. The story centers around 12 year old Maha learning about the 1947 Partition between India and Pakistan, and using what she learns to make a documentary for a school project. Maha's grandmother comes from Pakistan to live with her family in Texas, and teaches Maha various aspects of her history and culture.
The details in the story Maha's grandmother relays mirror the stories I've heard from my own grandmother.
Maha's grandmother was 12; my grandmother was 10 during Partition.
Like with Maha's grandmother's family, someone came to warn them that it wasn't going to be safe in the neighborhood anymore. They even thought that they might one day be able to return to their home.
I really appreciated that the Partition story was spread out in manageable chunks throughout the book- I had to take breaks as it was getting heavy. It was also beautiful to see that the characters were addressing trauma, something not often discussed with that generation. I can relate to being made to feel "not desi enough," and I enjoyed the details of Maha's life throughout the book. I only wish this book had been around 15 years ago when I was Maha's age!
I actually think this would be an amazing book for kids to read in school. Like the book discusses, it's a bit strange that this aspect of world history is seldom found in media. I think everyone should read this book, and I will be recommending it to everyone once it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC!
October 6, 2024
For a school report on Media Studies, twelve-year-old Maha decides to focus on the British-mandated partition of India in 1947, inspired by the annoying arrival of her grandmother from Pakistan.
Readers who have already read The Night Diary will understand what Maha is unaware of, and will be vexed beyond belief that Maha ignores the librarian's suggestion (not once, but twice!) that she read it - since it is a fictional, child-friendly, first-person account of the Partition, with descriptions and source notes that lay out answers to most of Maha's questions, even though the main character is Hindu and ends up in India, the opposite of Maha's family's forced march from India into Muslim-dominated Pakistan.
The majority of Faruqi's story stays with the young protagonist's focus on trying to figure out how to relate to and get to know her grandmother and how to navigate the pressures of school. It is unfortunate that (for kids who didn't read The Night Diary and have no other context) there is insufficient information about the historically relevant details to place it in the context of other worldwide events (World War 2, decolonization efforts, peace activists, etc.). However, the strength of the book is in demonstrating that it can be fascinating for young people to learn history through conversations with their elders.
It is also unfortunate (and confusing) that Maha never bothers to ask Ahmad or his grandmother about their experience as recent Pakistani immigrants.
It is also perplexing that Maha persists in her lack of clarity until a casual, hostile observer gives her an idea that will have been obvious to readers for dozens of pages. Even more irksome is the undue focus on that mean girl (Tiffany) who takes up too much of Maha's time, and draws away her capacity to bring energy and creativity to her project. Luckily, in the end, Maha clearly "wins" - because this author has bought into the social-media value system; the quantity of people who read, watch, or "like" your work equates success. Young readers who care most about this are in crisis right now - to me, it seems irresponsible for the author to use it as the protagonist's final value judgment.
Other nitpicky things bothered me, which I will describe while acknowledging that they may be irrelevant:
All in all, this was a more "palatable" read than The Night Diary - introducing the history of the Partition with a few degrees of separation made it less shocking and upsetting for young people. In this telling, it is only a school project, which becomes a way for the protagonist to connect to her culture and family, and ultimately results in a cool video. Although the descriptions from Maha's grandmother are personal and respectful, the overall tone is superficial.
Readers who have already read The Night Diary will understand what Maha is unaware of, and will be vexed beyond belief that Maha ignores the librarian's suggestion (not once, but twice!) that she read it - since it is a fictional, child-friendly, first-person account of the Partition, with descriptions and source notes that lay out answers to most of Maha's questions, even though the main character is Hindu and ends up in India, the opposite of Maha's family's forced march from India into Muslim-dominated Pakistan.
The majority of Faruqi's story stays with the young protagonist's focus on trying to figure out how to relate to and get to know her grandmother and how to navigate the pressures of school. It is unfortunate that (for kids who didn't read The Night Diary and have no other context) there is insufficient information about the historically relevant details to place it in the context of other worldwide events (World War 2, decolonization efforts, peace activists, etc.). However, the strength of the book is in demonstrating that it can be fascinating for young people to learn history through conversations with their elders.
It is also unfortunate (and confusing) that Maha never bothers to ask Ahmad or his grandmother about their experience as recent Pakistani immigrants.
It is also perplexing that Maha persists in her lack of clarity until a casual, hostile observer gives her an idea that will have been obvious to readers for dozens of pages. Even more irksome is the undue focus on that mean girl (Tiffany) who takes up too much of Maha's time, and draws away her capacity to bring energy and creativity to her project. Luckily, in the end, Maha clearly "wins" - because this author has bought into the social-media value system; the quantity of people who read, watch, or "like" your work equates success. Young readers who care most about this are in crisis right now - to me, it seems irresponsible for the author to use it as the protagonist's final value judgment.
Other nitpicky things bothered me, which I will describe while acknowledging that they may be irrelevant:
All in all, this was a more "palatable" read than The Night Diary - introducing the history of the Partition with a few degrees of separation made it less shocking and upsetting for young people. In this telling, it is only a school project, which becomes a way for the protagonist to connect to her culture and family, and ultimately results in a cool video. Although the descriptions from Maha's grandmother are personal and respectful, the overall tone is superficial.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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