Zarina Divided, Reem Faruqi
Zarina Divided, Reem Faruqi
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.04
Club: $13.99

Zarina Divided

Author: Reem Faruqi

Narrator: Soneela Nankani

Unabridged: 3 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 05/20/2025

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

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 differencesif you look really close,which lately everyoneseems 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.

About Reem Faruqi

Reem Faruqi is the award-winning author of Unsettled, Golden Girl, Anisa’s International Day, Call Me Adnan, Swimming Toward a Dream, Do You Even Know Me?, The House Without Lights, and Zarina Divided. She is also the author of the ALA Notable picture books Lailah’s Lunchbox and Amira’s Picture Day as well as the acclaimed Milloo’s Mind and I Can Help. Of Pakistani descent, Reem immigrated to Peachtree City, Georgia, in the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. Reem is also a teacher and photographer who loves to doodle. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and four daughters. Visit her online at reemfaruqi.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Meg on January 31, 2025

Another homerun from Reem Faruqi! The history is so compelling, especially with all the specific personal details Faruqi mentions in the author's note in the back. The history echoes so many aspects of our current day, making it a particularly timely read, but not without hope. I loved the model to......more

Goodreads review by Christiana on May 19, 2025

Zarina’s friend group splinters as the partitioning of India pits long time neighbors against each other depending on their religion. The journey to safety is fraught with danger and even once they arrive in Karachi, the danger is not over. When Zarina accidentally knocks over her pregnant mother wh......more

Goodreads review by M.O. on May 19, 2025

I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Zarina Divided from the publisher. In Reem Faruqi’s unique style, the history of the Partition is told in a powerful yet gentle manner. The story is based on the author's grandmother as a young girl, Zarina, who we follow across three worlds: her home in......more

Goodreads review by Shirin on April 05, 2025

Zarina Divided by Reem Faruqi is a magnificent middle grade novel told in verse, from the perspective of 11-year-old Zarina, and brings to life the Partition of 1947. Engrossing, powerful and lyrical, the novel pulls the reader into the harrowing trauma Zarina and her family face as they flee their......more

Goodreads review by Gayatri on May 20, 2025

Are you seeking reads for young people about the partition histories of South Asia? This new novel in verse by Reem Faruqi is an ideal way to learn about and engage in conversations about what occurred in 1947 on the subcontinent. It is a poignant counter narrative to accounts that highlight divisio......more