The Partition Project
by Saadia Faruqi
Realistic Fiction
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Maha is initially unenthusiastic when her Dadi (grandmother) comes from Pakistan to live with their family in the US. Not only does she have to give up her bedroom and move into the attic, but since Maha’s parents are both very busy (dad is a doctor and mom is a nutritionist) they make Maha responsible for Dadi – she is supposed to spend time with her after school and accompany her to the senior center. After Dadi starts telling Maha stories about growing up in India, however, Maha becomes really interested in something called “The Partition,” when India was divided and Pakistan was created and people who had previously been neighbors were forced to move to one or the other depending on their religious beliefs. It was a traumatic experience for Dadi and for many others who lived through those times. Maha decides to focus on The Partition for her media studies project and becomes so obsessed with it that she loses sight of some other important things – a partner assignment with her best friend, Kim, for instance, who gets completely fed up with her and pairs up with someone else. So, in addition to finding the best way to hook people on the story she wants to tell, Maha has to find a way to apologize to Kim and make things right. Readers will learn a little bit about the history of India and Pakistan and The Partition (also in a really interesting way – through Maha’s project!). Since this isn’t really taught to kids in elementary and middle school, most will not have heard about it. Saadia Faruqi writes Maha’s and her Dadi’s stories in a way that is sensitive, meaningful, and engaging. Excellent. For grades 5+
Reviewed by YA Librarian
