Amil and After

Set in 1948, 'Amil and After' tells the poignant story of twelve-year-old Amil, who, with his family, is trying to build a new life in Bombay, India, following the harrowing journey from their former home in what is now Pakistan. Amil, of mixed Muslim and Hindu heritage, grapples with a profound sense of displacement and uncertainty about what 'home' truly means. His twin sister, Nisha, suggests he channel his feelings into drawings for their mother, who passed away when they were infants. This narrative offers a sensitive exploration of historical events, cultural identity, and the resilience of the human spirit, making it an excellent choice for discussions about history, empathy, and coping with change.

At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule. Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain. Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.