BOOK REVIEW: TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARTITION OF BRITISH INDIA

​Here is a picture book inspired by the author’s mother’s true story:

​
TITLE: THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN: A STORY OF PARTITION

AUTHOR: Shirin Shamsi

ILLUSTRATOR: Tarun Lak

PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Readers / 2022

OPENING LINES:
 Dehradun has always been home. My daada was born here, and his daada before him. And Gurya has been with me since I was born – since Daadi made her from the softest cotton, with bright button eyes and a long woolen braid.
I wrap her soft and snug in Ammi’s shawl.
“We are moving,” I whisper in her ear. “In five days, we will go on a train ride.”
I arrange sweet-scented flowers in her hair.

Imagine receiving the news you must leave your home immediately. Imagine sitting on a crowded train for days, traveling to a foreign place, not knowing if you will ever return home. That’s what happens to Azra and her family in THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN. Author Shirin Shamsi’s text, inspired by her mother’s true story, conveys Azra’s anger, grief, anxiety, and uncertainty as she faces the loss of her home, and her beloved doll, and journeys with her family to a new one. Backmatter supplies additional information about the 1947 Partition of India, a glossary of terms, and an author’s note. Tarun Lak’s choice of muted colored illustrations tie in with the somber circumstances of the story, but, together with the text, offer a glimmer of hope by the story’s end. An important story, thoughtfully told and illustrated, from the point of view of a child.
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Did you read and like this book?
One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon!