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Zarina Divided
From the award-winning author of Unsettled, Reem Faruqi, comes a stirring coming-of-age story about a Muslim girl who, during the Partition of India, must learn to cope with loss, guilt, and change in order to grow. Perfect for fans of Amil and the After and The Partition Project and inspired by real-life events.
""A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world."" - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
You can notice differences
if you look really close,
which lately everyone
seems to be doing.
Zarina loves her life in Poona, India. She spends her days happily hanging out with her best friends, Geeta and Jahana, and playing with her three brothers. However, Zarina and her family are given unsettling news: Muslims and Hindus are to separate by religion. Hindus are expected to stay in India, while Muslims are expected to move to a new land, Pakistan.
Zarina is heartbroken at having to move away from all she knows and loves, and after the frightening journey to Pakistan, she feels unsure that the unfamiliar country will ever feel like home. When an accident happens that leaves Zarina grappling with extreme guilt, she decides it's best to attend boarding school far away, much to the protest of her mom. Will a fresh start at a new school give Zarina the chance to thrive in Pakistan, or will the divisions within herself and her family continue to widen?
From award-winning author Reem Faruqi comes a heartening coming-of-age story, inspired by her grandmother's life, that reminds us that through overwhelming change can come the most beautiful growth.
Praise for Zarina Divided:
""Written in verse, the poetic form flows smoothly and creates an immersive and emotional journey... to effectively punctuate the formative depth of Zarina's experience. This moving and ultimately hopeful work is perfect for readers who might be slightly young for Hiranandani's The Night Diary."" -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
""Reem's deftness with the pen allows the reader to get into the heart of the experiences of a child facing conflict first hand."" -Upasna Kakroo, CEO of Peerbagh
""A heartfelt novel with a wise and enduring message for all time."" -Shirin Shamsi, author of Lahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story
""A poignant, emotional journey inspired by the author's grandmother's life that explores displacement, identity, and resilience."" -Kiran Razzak Khan, Anokhi Life magazine
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
1146198674
Zarina Divided
From the award-winning author of Unsettled, Reem Faruqi, comes a stirring coming-of-age story about a Muslim girl who, during the Partition of India, must learn to cope with loss, guilt, and change in order to grow. Perfect for fans of Amil and the After and The Partition Project and inspired by real-life events.
""A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world."" - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
You can notice differences
if you look really close,
which lately everyone
seems to be doing.
Zarina loves her life in Poona, India. She spends her days happily hanging out with her best friends, Geeta and Jahana, and playing with her three brothers. However, Zarina and her family are given unsettling news: Muslims and Hindus are to separate by religion. Hindus are expected to stay in India, while Muslims are expected to move to a new land, Pakistan.
Zarina is heartbroken at having to move away from all she knows and loves, and after the frightening journey to Pakistan, she feels unsure that the unfamiliar country will ever feel like home. When an accident happens that leaves Zarina grappling with extreme guilt, she decides it's best to attend boarding school far away, much to the protest of her mom. Will a fresh start at a new school give Zarina the chance to thrive in Pakistan, or will the divisions within herself and her family continue to widen?
From award-winning author Reem Faruqi comes a heartening coming-of-age story, inspired by her grandmother's life, that reminds us that through overwhelming change can come the most beautiful growth.
Praise for Zarina Divided:
""Written in verse, the poetic form flows smoothly and creates an immersive and emotional journey... to effectively punctuate the formative depth of Zarina's experience. This moving and ultimately hopeful work is perfect for readers who might be slightly young for Hiranandani's The Night Diary."" -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
""Reem's deftness with the pen allows the reader to get into the heart of the experiences of a child facing conflict first hand."" -Upasna Kakroo, CEO of Peerbagh
""A heartfelt novel with a wise and enduring message for all time."" -Shirin Shamsi, author of Lahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story
""A poignant, emotional journey inspired by the author's grandmother's life that explores displacement, identity, and resilience."" -Kiran Razzak Khan, Anokhi Life magazine
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
From the award-winning author of Unsettled, Reem Faruqi, comes a stirring coming-of-age story about a Muslim girl who, during the Partition of India, must learn to cope with loss, guilt, and change in order to grow. Perfect for fans of Amil and the After and The Partition Project and inspired by real-life events.
""A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world."" - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
You can notice differences
if you look really close,
which lately everyone
seems to be doing.
Zarina loves her life in Poona, India. She spends her days happily hanging out with her best friends, Geeta and Jahana, and playing with her three brothers. However, Zarina and her family are given unsettling news: Muslims and Hindus are to separate by religion. Hindus are expected to stay in India, while Muslims are expected to move to a new land, Pakistan.
Zarina is heartbroken at having to move away from all she knows and loves, and after the frightening journey to Pakistan, she feels unsure that the unfamiliar country will ever feel like home. When an accident happens that leaves Zarina grappling with extreme guilt, she decides it's best to attend boarding school far away, much to the protest of her mom. Will a fresh start at a new school give Zarina the chance to thrive in Pakistan, or will the divisions within herself and her family continue to widen?
From award-winning author Reem Faruqi comes a heartening coming-of-age story, inspired by her grandmother's life, that reminds us that through overwhelming change can come the most beautiful growth.
Praise for Zarina Divided:
""Written in verse, the poetic form flows smoothly and creates an immersive and emotional journey... to effectively punctuate the formative depth of Zarina's experience. This moving and ultimately hopeful work is perfect for readers who might be slightly young for Hiranandani's The Night Diary."" -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
""Reem's deftness with the pen allows the reader to get into the heart of the experiences of a child facing conflict first hand."" -Upasna Kakroo, CEO of Peerbagh
""A heartfelt novel with a wise and enduring message for all time."" -Shirin Shamsi, author of Lahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story
""A poignant, emotional journey inspired by the author's grandmother's life that explores displacement, identity, and resilience."" -Kiran Razzak Khan, Anokhi Life magazine
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
"A simultaneously gentle and gripping story led by a strong-willed protagonist eager to advocate for herself in a changing world." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Reem's deftness with the pen allows the reader to get into the heart of the experiences of a child facing conflict first hand." — Upasna Kakroo, CEO of Peerbagh
"Written in verse, the poetic form flows smoothly and creates an immersive and emotional journey... to effectively punctuate the formative depth of Zarina’s experience. This moving and ultimately hopeful work is perfect for readers who might be slightly young for Hiranandani’s The Night Diary." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A heartfelt novel with a wise and enduring message for all time." — Shirin Shamsi, author of Zahra's Blessing: A Ramadan Story
"A poignant, emotional journey inspired by the author’s grandmother’s life that explores displacement, identity, and resilience." — Kiran Razzak Khan, Anokhi Life magazine
"Another homerun from Reem Faruqi... A great beacon of hope [shines] in this lovely novel in verse." — Meg Eden, award-winning author of Good Different
"In her trademark style, Faruqi has woven yet another poignant story about how hope and beauty can be found even amongst the most difficult circumstances." — Thushanthi Ponweera, award-winning author of I Am Kavi
"Zarina, an 11-year-old Muslim girl, is forced to move from India to the newly formed country of Pakistan during the Partition of India in 1947... Told in verse, Faruqi’s novel skillfully weaves history with personal narrative, that adds to the growing—and needed—number of stories about this time period." — School Library Journal
"This poignant novel in verse follows 11-year-old Zarina before, during, and after India's partition... An engaging read with realistic characters that brings the time period to life in new ways." — Booklist (starred review)
"Faruqi’s thoughtful use of verse emphasizes the fragmented nature of Zarina’s life…Ultimately, Zarina’s is a story of resilience." — Horn Book Magazine
Kirkus Reviews
2025-03-08 During the Partition of 1947, a family uproots their lives in India and moves to the newly created Pakistan.
Zarina’s world revolved around swinging in the backyard with friends, roughhousing with her brothers, and feasting on her mother’s coconut toffee—until Abajan, her father, announces they’re moving to predominantly Muslim Pakistan. When, amid the growing violence, a bloodthirsty mob comes to their door, Abajan decides they must leave that night. During their perilous journey from Poona by train and ship to Karachi, they encounter unrelenting violence and crushing crowds of people fleeing in both directions. In Karachi, they slowly rebuild their lives. But following an accident, a guilt-ridden Zarina is convinced she should leave home. Despite her mother’s reservations, Zarina joins her brothers, who are leaving for boarding school. At St. Denys’, a girls’ school with British teachers in mountainous Murree, she navigates old resentments and makes new friends. Zarina’s perspective as an 11-year-old who’s trying to make sense of overnight changes, religion-based divisions, and the horrors she witnesses are compelling. Unfortunately, the weak pacing and flat portrayals of other characters undermine the dramatic tension. Readers familiar with the setting may notice details that feel jarring. The second half of the book, which recounts the family’s refugee experiences and offers a quaint look at boarding school life, is stronger.
An ambitious attempt to render sweeping changes in the birth of a nation that doesn’t coalesce. (map, author’s note, glossary, recipe, photo gallery, resources)(Verse historical fiction. 8-12)
