The Night Diary

by Veera Hiranandani

1. Why is it easier for Nisha to share her thoughts and feelings through a diary than through talking? Do you identify with this? How or how not? 1b. How does Nisha express herself? What moments and people empower Nisha to make her voice heard? When does she feel frozen or unable to speak? In what ways does she grow? 2. What motivates Nisha to write to her mama? Choose one of the following pages and dig into the reasons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. How might Mama respond to Nisha? 3. How are Amil and Nisha alike and different? What is the author trying to teach us through Amil’s and Nisha’s differences? In what ways do they have a special bond? 4. Food and cooking play a critical role in this story. How does food bring people together? Why is cooking so meaningful to Nisha? What activity brings you joy and peace like cooking brings her? 5. What significant moments occur at the good-bye party? (here) 6. Describe the relationship that Nisha and Amil have with Papa and how he reacts to each of them before, during, and after their journey. 7. Why is it difficult for Nisha to make friends? Why was she able to connect with Hafa so easily? How does the dramatic ending to that friendship impact Nisha? 8. Nisha writes, “I still don’t understand. We were all part of the same country last month, all these different people and religions living together. Now we are supposed to separate and hate one another. Does Papa secretly hate Rashid Uncle? Does Rashid Uncle secretly hate us? Wh...