The Night Diary By Veera Hiranandani
Its 1947, and twelve-year-old Nisha and her twin brother Amil live in the Mirpur Khas region of India. Amil is a carefree boy with many friends. Nisha is a shy, almost mute girl, who has few friends, but she’s an excellent student and cook. When Nisha begins to keep a diary as a way to connect with her mother who has passed away, she has no idea of the strange twists her life will take.
Unbeknownst to Nisha and Amil, India is in political turmoil. Although their family lives happily among people of all religions, they soon learn that India will be divided along religious lines. The new India will be for Hindus. Muslims will live in Pakistan, a brand new country.
As Hindus, Nisha and Amil live on the wrong side of the line and must travel to the new India to live. Worse than that, fighting has broken out amongst the many religious factions and people are being killed.
The family sets out on its odyssey to the border with only the clothes and supplies on their backs. It is a long, arduous journey and many do not survive. Nisha continuously writes in her diary to document the unbelievable trip from a relatively wealthy lifestyle to struggle and hardship. As the journey progresses, Nisha must also contend with her own struggle to find her voice and face her new reality.
The Night Diary is based on real events. The partitioning of India took place in 1947 and tore the country apart. Those who love historical fiction will enjoy The Night Diary.