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Faruqi, Reem

Zarina Divided

336 pp. | HarperCollins | May, 2025 | Trade ISBN 9780063284999 $19.99 | Ebook ISBN 9780063285064 $9.99
(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Zarina lives a privileged life in Poona, India, until the British withdrawal in 1947, which initiates the partition of India into two separate countries. The family survives the chaos and violence as they flee to what is now Pakistan. When they finally arrive safely in Karachi, the unrest continues around them. Traumatized and unable to concentrate, Zarina struggles in school, while inside their small house her mother, pregnant with her fifth child, is put on bed rest, a need possibly due to Zarina's accidentally crashing into her while playing in the tight new space. Zarina fights for the chance to go to boarding school like her brothers and starts attending St. Denys' boarding school without Mummy's blessing. There she finds a friend, understanding teachers, and the stability she needs to heal. The novel in verse is broken into four segments: Zarina's life in India and her journey to Pakistan; a new life in Karachi; boarding school; and a return to her now-more-settled family in Karachi over term break to meet her new baby sister and make peace with her mother. Faruqi's thoughtful use of verse emphasizes the fragmented nature of Zarina's life -- moments of calm are broken by violence, fear, or sadness. Ultimately, Zarina's is a story of resilience; an author's note relates that the novel is based loosely on her family history. Back matter also includes a glossary, resources, and photos.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

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