The Night Diary

Name: The Night Diary
ISBN: 9780780418462

by Veera Hiranandani

Nisha, a half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old, records her thoughts and fears in a diary as her family flees their home during the violent 1947 Partition of India. This poignant story explores iden

About This Book

The Night Diary is a powerful historical fiction novel told through the diary entries of Nisha, a shy twelve-year-old girl navigating the tumultuous 1947 Partition of India. As her Hindu family is forced to leave their home in what becomes Pakistan, Nisha grapples with her mixed heritage, the loss of her mother, and the dangers of their refugee journey. The book offers a deeply personal and accessible entry point into a complex historical event, exploring themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and the enduring strength of family bonds. It's an excellent choice for middle-grade readers ready for a thoughtful, emotionally rich story that encourages empathy and historical understanding.

Shy twelve-year-old Nisha, forced to flee her home with her Hindu family during the 1947 partition of India, tries to find her voice and make sense of the world falling apart around her by writing to her deceased Muslim mother in the pages of her diary.

Concepts

Sadness & Grief Fear & Bravery Loneliness & Belonging Self-Confidence & Identity Resilience & Perseverance Love & Family Empathy & Kindness Justice & Fairness Curiosity & Wonder Friendship & Loyalty Moving Cultural Identity Being Different Death of a Loved One Immigration Growing Up Family & Siblings History Survival & Wilderness

Heads up, parents

peril_danger

war_themes

Character Death

Scary Scenes

Discussion Prompts

How does Nisha use her diary to cope with the changes and challenges she faces? What are some ways you cope with big feelings?

Nisha is half-Hindu and half-Muslim. How does this affect her sense of identity and belonging during the Partition? Have you ever felt caught between different parts of yourself or different groups?

The journey Nisha and her family undertake is very difficult. What qualities do they show that help them survive? What does resilience mean to you?

How does the book show the impact of historical events, like the Partition, on individual families and communities?

Kazi, the family cook, plays an important role in Nisha's life. What does his character teach us about loyalty and kindness during difficult times?

External Reviews

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