I'm going to be honest, I'm not really a fan of historical fiction. It's mostly because these novels usually have the same narrative over and over again, even if it is heartwarming. When I won this novel through a Goodreads giveaway, I was excited because it was an event I didn't know much about, but also reluctant because it was historical fiction. 

The partition was an extremely violent time in history so it was interesting to see a middle grade novel written about it. The main issues were discussed at their core, people wants to draw lines. Though the circumstances surrounding the partition were complex, this novel was more about the effects of it and did a very good job at describing them. From the disunity in towns, to the fear that went through the streets, I felt all the complexity of the emotions of the people living there. 

Nisha was an amazing character. She is both relatable but also thought provoking. She has the characteristic of a young girl but also the experience of someone much older. The rest of the characters in the novel were distinct and unique. This book also explored complex relationships and how "love" can be shown in more ways than one.

The prose was beautiful. It was simple, but also very easy to read. It made me think and the descriptions were amazing. 

Final thoughts: A great novel for middle schoolers interested in history around the world.