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Amil and the After
A hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after hardship, Amil and the After is a companion to the beloved and award-winning Newbery Honor novel The Night Diary, by acclaimed author Veera Hiranandani
At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule.
Half-Muslim, half-Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain.
Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.
At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule.
Half-Muslim, half-Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain.
Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.
243 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
40 people are currently reading
3448 people want to read
About the author
Veera Hiranandani
22 books460 followersVeera Hiranandani is the author of THE NIGHT DIARY, THE WHOLE STORY OF HALF A GIRL, and the chapter book series, PHOEBE G. GREEN. She has an MFA in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College and spent six years as a book editor. She now teaches creative writing at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College and lives in New York with her family. She is working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
July 15, 2024
Finding joy after tragedy.
Amil and the After provides an age appropriate glimpse into some of the trauma that resulted from the migration, rising violence, and fears that resulted from the Partition of India and Pakistan.
Amil and the After provides an age appropriate glimpse into some of the trauma that resulted from the migration, rising violence, and fears that resulted from the Partition of India and Pakistan.
January 30, 2024
I just don’t want this sequel. I realised this when I started reading this book. There’s not much to it I feel that adds more to the first book. This one feels more forced and somewhat doesn’t really have much to tell rather than what we should do or feel as responsible people.
April 6, 2024
The Night Diary is one of my favorite Newbery honor books. I was afraid to try this one and the first chapter did not suck me in. Once I had time to focus, I finished it in a day. While this book does not have the amazing gut-punching prose of The Night Diary, it is quite distinguished in terms of themes and character development. The pencil drawings were a huge bonus. If you are looking to help your children read some quality books or are a homeschooler, I recommend reading The Night Diary, then a 1950’s Newbery honor title- Gandhi, A Fighter without a Sword, and then this title. They will be able to explore many story elements as well as have a good background on a part of history that is ignored in most history books. If you are faith-based, there is ample opportunity for discussions of application. This is an amazing talented author. I wonder what her future titles will focus on.
February 25, 2025
In case you weren't sure, Amil and the After serves as sequel to The Night Diary, which earned Veera Hiranandani a 2019 Newbery Honor. This time Amil Vaswani takes center stage instead of his twelve-year-old twin sister Nisha, as they settle into life in Bombay, India. Most violence of the partition is over; India and Pakistan are now two distinct countries that welcome Hindus and Muslims, respectively. Nisha still writes in her diary to their mother, who died when the twins were born, and Amil is practicing to be a better artist, drawing with deep feeling. Papa is a doctor and earns a good wage, but Amil's areas of interest don't earn Papa's approval. He expects Amil to someday be a doctor, but what if that isn't in the boy's future?
"Every medicine can be a poison if you're not careful. Even water can be bad for you if you have too much."
—Papa, P. 135
School is a dull chore for Amil, but becomes more interesting when he meets Vishal. A slender, playful boy, Vishal draws flip book animations, and agrees to teach Amil in exchange for a portion of his daily lunch. Vishal wolfs the food down eagerly while teaching Amil the mechanics of animation. Amil hopes to impress one special girl in school, but his focus is pulled away when Papa's mother, Dadi, is hospitalized. She's been frail ever since the family's long partition journey; what if her health is in permanent decline?
"He had learned that things could change as quickly as a glass of water falling to the floor and smashing to pieces."
—Amil and the After, P. 10
Other concerns crop up for Amil. Vishal, who claims to be of royal blood, lives in dirty, overpopulated quarters where cholera runs rampant. His school attendance is sporadic; Amil worries that one day Vishal will cease to come and that will be the end of him. Amil and Nisha were lucky to wind up in a good situation in Bombay; many refugee families are destitute. On the radio, beloved Mahatma Gandhi implores people to reject religious and ethnic discrimination, but so many are struggling like Vishal. Will there ever be peace in India and understanding between Amil and Papa? At least if Amil leverages his good luck to better the life of one friend, he'll know he did good like Gandhi.
Amil and the After is a quality story—I almost round my two and a half stars to three—but it suffers in comparison to The Night Diary. That book was full of danger and philosophical dilemmas I look back on years later with perfectly clear recollection. Amil and the After is slower and more internal, Amil trying to keep peace with his sister, father, and new country. The book’s highlight is Vishal: an artsy, quirky boy with excellent sense of humor and a strong moral compass. He wants to earn everything he receives even if he's not in position to offer much return value. If you're curious how Amil and Nisha acclimated to Bombay after The Night Diary, make a date with this book. Veera Hiranandani is a highly readable storyteller.
"Every medicine can be a poison if you're not careful. Even water can be bad for you if you have too much."
—Papa, P. 135
School is a dull chore for Amil, but becomes more interesting when he meets Vishal. A slender, playful boy, Vishal draws flip book animations, and agrees to teach Amil in exchange for a portion of his daily lunch. Vishal wolfs the food down eagerly while teaching Amil the mechanics of animation. Amil hopes to impress one special girl in school, but his focus is pulled away when Papa's mother, Dadi, is hospitalized. She's been frail ever since the family's long partition journey; what if her health is in permanent decline?
"He had learned that things could change as quickly as a glass of water falling to the floor and smashing to pieces."
—Amil and the After, P. 10
Other concerns crop up for Amil. Vishal, who claims to be of royal blood, lives in dirty, overpopulated quarters where cholera runs rampant. His school attendance is sporadic; Amil worries that one day Vishal will cease to come and that will be the end of him. Amil and Nisha were lucky to wind up in a good situation in Bombay; many refugee families are destitute. On the radio, beloved Mahatma Gandhi implores people to reject religious and ethnic discrimination, but so many are struggling like Vishal. Will there ever be peace in India and understanding between Amil and Papa? At least if Amil leverages his good luck to better the life of one friend, he'll know he did good like Gandhi.
Amil and the After is a quality story—I almost round my two and a half stars to three—but it suffers in comparison to The Night Diary. That book was full of danger and philosophical dilemmas I look back on years later with perfectly clear recollection. Amil and the After is slower and more internal, Amil trying to keep peace with his sister, father, and new country. The book’s highlight is Vishal: an artsy, quirky boy with excellent sense of humor and a strong moral compass. He wants to earn everything he receives even if he's not in position to offer much return value. If you're curious how Amil and Nisha acclimated to Bombay after The Night Diary, make a date with this book. Veera Hiranandani is a highly readable storyteller.
May 7, 2024
Love reading historical fiction and this one did not disappoint!!❤️❤️
January 19, 2024
This followup to The Night Diary addresses many important topics as seen through the eyes of a sensitive 12-year-old boy.
At the dawn of 1948, Amil and his family are settled in an apartment in Bombay, just months after they escaped Pakistan during the Partition. Despite the family's current relative stability, Amil still doesn't feel safe and often has flashbacks of their horrible journey across the border. He is curious about the world around him and has a strong instinct to help others. Amil finds peace when he picks up a pencil and draws what he sees and what he doesn't understand.
Because Amil has dyslexia and maybe a bit of ADHD, he has a hard time in school. Reading is a chore, and he becomes restless. On top of that, he is clearly suffering from PTSD. He spends most of his time with his twin sister, whom he loves, but he misses his friends from his old town. When he finally meets a boy about his own age, Amil doesn't realize how that potential friendship would affect his family.
I loved Amil's innate kindness, and my heart went out to him when he'd worry about being selfish. His voice as a tween rang true, and his struggles with trying to understand himself, his father, and the changing world seemed realistic. The black-and-white drawings scattered throughout the book added to the story and matched what I would have expected Amil's artwork to look like.
The book addresses family dynamics, caring for others, loneliness, PTSD, trying hard despite setbacks, and doing what needs to be done in hard times. It also gives insight into how suddenly becoming a refugee can affect children and families. In this world of increasing war and during a time when some people want to turn their backs on others, Amil's story (and that of his sister in the first book) may help youngsters empathize with others who find their lives turned upside down thanks to global politics.
The author's note explains the origins of the story, and a glossary defines unfamiliar vocabulary.
Though you don't have to have read The Night Diary first, I highly recommend that you do.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
At the dawn of 1948, Amil and his family are settled in an apartment in Bombay, just months after they escaped Pakistan during the Partition. Despite the family's current relative stability, Amil still doesn't feel safe and often has flashbacks of their horrible journey across the border. He is curious about the world around him and has a strong instinct to help others. Amil finds peace when he picks up a pencil and draws what he sees and what he doesn't understand.
Because Amil has dyslexia and maybe a bit of ADHD, he has a hard time in school. Reading is a chore, and he becomes restless. On top of that, he is clearly suffering from PTSD. He spends most of his time with his twin sister, whom he loves, but he misses his friends from his old town. When he finally meets a boy about his own age, Amil doesn't realize how that potential friendship would affect his family.
I loved Amil's innate kindness, and my heart went out to him when he'd worry about being selfish. His voice as a tween rang true, and his struggles with trying to understand himself, his father, and the changing world seemed realistic. The black-and-white drawings scattered throughout the book added to the story and matched what I would have expected Amil's artwork to look like.
The book addresses family dynamics, caring for others, loneliness, PTSD, trying hard despite setbacks, and doing what needs to be done in hard times. It also gives insight into how suddenly becoming a refugee can affect children and families. In this world of increasing war and during a time when some people want to turn their backs on others, Amil's story (and that of his sister in the first book) may help youngsters empathize with others who find their lives turned upside down thanks to global politics.
The author's note explains the origins of the story, and a glossary defines unfamiliar vocabulary.
Though you don't have to have read The Night Diary first, I highly recommend that you do.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
September 3, 2024
Hopeful, hopeful, retelling in a child’s eyes of the suffering entailed during the partitioning of India, dividing more than just Muslims and Hindus. Hindu new to the cities of India or forced to be secondary laborers to folks who had lived there longer. There were resettlement camps and orphanages. Educational and told with a good story.
March 10, 2024
This is an excellent story about the separation of India and Pakistan in 1948- a time I know little about. I loved learning the history through story format and at how relatable Amir and his family are. While this is a continuation of the story in The Night Diary, it is read well as a standalone.
March 4, 2024
This book, a companion to The Night Journey, follows Amil's family into their new life after the Partition of India and Pakistan. I appreciated the reminder that, even when safety is reached, there is still more to each person's story.
November 12, 2024
A fascinating companion to Hirnandani’s The Night Diary. A brother and sister, twins, with a Muslim mother who died and a Hindu father with whom they fled to India from Pakistan, after the division. Amir lives a relatively comfortable life but struggles to fit in to this new world. School is different; he has no friends; he misses his old life. Great audio book.
October 10, 2024
“Maybe hope was the thing you could never have too much of.”
This is a companion book to The Night Diary. In this book we follow Nisha’s brother, Amil, after they relocated to independent Bombay, India. Both Amil and Nisha are trying to adjust to their new life style, make new friends, and adjust to school. Amil is having a difficult time adjusting, so Nisha suggests Amil draw his experiences in a collection for his mother (who died when he was a baby). Note: I listened to the audiobook and I didn’t realize how many illustrations are included in the print version. I wish I had paid more attention to that while I was reading rather than simply going back and looking at all the pictures when I was done with the book.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read/remembered the details of The Night Diary a little better. Unfortunately, that was one middle grade book that didn’t stick with me long term, so I found myself trying to remember details from The Night Diary that were alluded to in this book. Consequently, I found myself a little detached from the characters in this book and when I finished reading, I quickly realized this was not going to be a book that would stick with me long-term. While there are certainly some aspects of this book that are informational in terms of the historical fiction aspect, I almost wish there was more about that in this addition. A lot of what stood out to me in this book were the struggles fitting in with other kids at school and in the neighborhood. While it was clear to me this story wasn’t set in today’s world, it also wouldn’t have been a big stretch to have this book set in today’s world. When I read a historical fiction book, I want to be immersed in the historical time period and I felt that was lacking a little bit in this book.
This is a companion book to The Night Diary. In this book we follow Nisha’s brother, Amil, after they relocated to independent Bombay, India. Both Amil and Nisha are trying to adjust to their new life style, make new friends, and adjust to school. Amil is having a difficult time adjusting, so Nisha suggests Amil draw his experiences in a collection for his mother (who died when he was a baby). Note: I listened to the audiobook and I didn’t realize how many illustrations are included in the print version. I wish I had paid more attention to that while I was reading rather than simply going back and looking at all the pictures when I was done with the book.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read/remembered the details of The Night Diary a little better. Unfortunately, that was one middle grade book that didn’t stick with me long term, so I found myself trying to remember details from The Night Diary that were alluded to in this book. Consequently, I found myself a little detached from the characters in this book and when I finished reading, I quickly realized this was not going to be a book that would stick with me long-term. While there are certainly some aspects of this book that are informational in terms of the historical fiction aspect, I almost wish there was more about that in this addition. A lot of what stood out to me in this book were the struggles fitting in with other kids at school and in the neighborhood. While it was clear to me this story wasn’t set in today’s world, it also wouldn’t have been a big stretch to have this book set in today’s world. When I read a historical fiction book, I want to be immersed in the historical time period and I felt that was lacking a little bit in this book.
January 28, 2025
This was an interesting YA/middle grade book. It seems like this time and place are often overlooked in historical fiction, especially compared to the number of WWII novels out there. I thought it was a good conclusion to the story and worked as a sequel, even though it's different in tone.
August 22, 2024
Richie’s Picks: AMIL AND THE AFTER by Veera Hiranandani, Penguin Random House/Kokila, January 2024, 272p., ISBN: 978-0-525-55506-3
“Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves.”
--Mahatma Gandhi.
“The partition caused large-scale loss of life and an unprecedented migration between the two dominions. Among refugees who survived, it solidified the belief that safety lay among co-religionists. In the instance of Pakistan, it made palpable a hitherto only-imagined refuge for the Muslims of British India. The migrations took place hastily and with little warning. It is thought that between 14 million and 18 million people moved, and perhaps more. Excess mortality during the period of the partition is usually estimated to have been around one million. On 13 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi started his fast with the goal of stopping the violence. He ended his fast on 18 January at the urging of various religious and political leaders, who pledged to put an end to the violence and uphold communal harmony.”
– from Wikipedia, “Partition of India”
“Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too”
– John Lennon (1971)
“In 2017, President Trump signed an executive order banning people from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the USA, and slamming the door on refugees. After being temporarily stopped multiple times, the US Supreme Court overturned a block on the devastating ban in June.
The order demonizes the vulnerable – those who have fled torturers, warlords and dictators – and those who simply want to be with their families. It is essentially a license to discriminate, disguised as a 'national security measure.’”
– Amnesty International UK, “A License to Discriminate” (2020)
Here’s some of what I wrote in 2018:
“THE NIGHT DIARY is filled with intimacy and immediacy. It transported me halfway around the globe and back seventy years to the portion of India that was about to become Pakistan.
The writing here is beautiful, and the intense, in-your-face storytelling results to some extent from the manner of the telling. Twelve year-old Nisha, a girl of few words when out in the world, writes insightful and revealing journal entries at night to her mama, who died giving birth to Nisha and her twin brother Amil. Despite the closeness of the twins, Nisha shares many thoughts and feelings only with her mother.
The story begins just before the British cede control of ‘old’ India. This transfer of power resulted in the immediate partitioning of India into ‘new’ India and Pakistan. In the largest mass migration in history, Hindus were compelled to depart newly-formed Pakistan, crossing the partition line in one direction, and Muslims departed new India, crossing in the other direction. Where followers of different religions had coexisted, suddenly there was hate and violence. More than a million people died during this exchange.
In the midst of this heartbreak, chaos, and carnage, Nisha, Amil, their physician father, and their paternal grandmother must quickly leave behind their lives, home, possessions, and friends. They also must leave behind Kazi, the paid chef who lives in their back cottage, with whom Nisha has a deep emotional connection. But Kazi is Muslim.
An interesting and important twist in the story is that Nisha’s dead mother was Muslim. Nisha’s mother and father were both estranged from their families when they married. The twins, who are classified as Hindu like their father, are technically, fifty-fifty Hindu and Muslim.”
– from my 2018 essay, Richie’s Picks: THE NIGHT DIARY.
I was delighted to see THE NIGHT DIARY go on to win a 2019 Newbery Honor award. This year’s AMIL AND THE AFTER is the sequel, with the story of the twins continuing forward to their time as new kids in new India. But this time, the story is from Amil’s point of view.
“‘You win. I forfeit,’ he replied.
‘Really? Why?’ she asked. Amil had never forfeited a game.
‘I’m too tired. I thought things were supposed to be easier now.’
‘What do you mean?’ Nisha pushed the board away.
‘I thought we were past the bad stuff here in Bombay. We’re safe and getting back to a normal life, I guess, but I’m still sad a lot of the time.’
‘I don’t feel that happy either,’ Nisha said, and pressed her lips together, shaking her head.
‘You don’t?’
‘No. Everything seems hard, even regular things like getting up and going to school. I think about how much we suffered and how we’re okay now. But then I think about how many people are still suffering, and it only makes me feel guilty and tired.’
‘Me too,’ he said, relieved that she understood.”
Like their dead mother, whom the twins never got to meet, young Amil is an obsessed artist. Comparable to Nisha and her diary in the previous book, AMIL AND THE AFTER features dozens of the drawings Amil “shares” with their late mom about what is going on.
When the friendship-hungered Amil crosses paths with a mysterious boy during school lunch/recess, readers are plunged into the vulnerable world of those who were stuck and starving in the refugee camps. The mystery boy, Vishal, also has some artistic talent, making for a potential friendship with Amil. But Vishal’s current existence pretty much revolves around him finding his next meal.
Given that the two books are both engaging and enlightening; and that AMIL AND THE AFTER is a worthy sequel to the significant award winner, it makes little sense–outside of theoretical award committee discussions–to spend time debating whether or not this sequel can stand alone without reading the first book. Why bother? Just read the award-winning first book and continue right on through this excellent sequel.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves.”
--Mahatma Gandhi.
“The partition caused large-scale loss of life and an unprecedented migration between the two dominions. Among refugees who survived, it solidified the belief that safety lay among co-religionists. In the instance of Pakistan, it made palpable a hitherto only-imagined refuge for the Muslims of British India. The migrations took place hastily and with little warning. It is thought that between 14 million and 18 million people moved, and perhaps more. Excess mortality during the period of the partition is usually estimated to have been around one million. On 13 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi started his fast with the goal of stopping the violence. He ended his fast on 18 January at the urging of various religious and political leaders, who pledged to put an end to the violence and uphold communal harmony.”
– from Wikipedia, “Partition of India”
“Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too”
– John Lennon (1971)
“In 2017, President Trump signed an executive order banning people from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the USA, and slamming the door on refugees. After being temporarily stopped multiple times, the US Supreme Court overturned a block on the devastating ban in June.
The order demonizes the vulnerable – those who have fled torturers, warlords and dictators – and those who simply want to be with their families. It is essentially a license to discriminate, disguised as a 'national security measure.’”
– Amnesty International UK, “A License to Discriminate” (2020)
Here’s some of what I wrote in 2018:
“THE NIGHT DIARY is filled with intimacy and immediacy. It transported me halfway around the globe and back seventy years to the portion of India that was about to become Pakistan.
The writing here is beautiful, and the intense, in-your-face storytelling results to some extent from the manner of the telling. Twelve year-old Nisha, a girl of few words when out in the world, writes insightful and revealing journal entries at night to her mama, who died giving birth to Nisha and her twin brother Amil. Despite the closeness of the twins, Nisha shares many thoughts and feelings only with her mother.
The story begins just before the British cede control of ‘old’ India. This transfer of power resulted in the immediate partitioning of India into ‘new’ India and Pakistan. In the largest mass migration in history, Hindus were compelled to depart newly-formed Pakistan, crossing the partition line in one direction, and Muslims departed new India, crossing in the other direction. Where followers of different religions had coexisted, suddenly there was hate and violence. More than a million people died during this exchange.
In the midst of this heartbreak, chaos, and carnage, Nisha, Amil, their physician father, and their paternal grandmother must quickly leave behind their lives, home, possessions, and friends. They also must leave behind Kazi, the paid chef who lives in their back cottage, with whom Nisha has a deep emotional connection. But Kazi is Muslim.
An interesting and important twist in the story is that Nisha’s dead mother was Muslim. Nisha’s mother and father were both estranged from their families when they married. The twins, who are classified as Hindu like their father, are technically, fifty-fifty Hindu and Muslim.”
– from my 2018 essay, Richie’s Picks: THE NIGHT DIARY.
I was delighted to see THE NIGHT DIARY go on to win a 2019 Newbery Honor award. This year’s AMIL AND THE AFTER is the sequel, with the story of the twins continuing forward to their time as new kids in new India. But this time, the story is from Amil’s point of view.
“‘You win. I forfeit,’ he replied.
‘Really? Why?’ she asked. Amil had never forfeited a game.
‘I’m too tired. I thought things were supposed to be easier now.’
‘What do you mean?’ Nisha pushed the board away.
‘I thought we were past the bad stuff here in Bombay. We’re safe and getting back to a normal life, I guess, but I’m still sad a lot of the time.’
‘I don’t feel that happy either,’ Nisha said, and pressed her lips together, shaking her head.
‘You don’t?’
‘No. Everything seems hard, even regular things like getting up and going to school. I think about how much we suffered and how we’re okay now. But then I think about how many people are still suffering, and it only makes me feel guilty and tired.’
‘Me too,’ he said, relieved that she understood.”
Like their dead mother, whom the twins never got to meet, young Amil is an obsessed artist. Comparable to Nisha and her diary in the previous book, AMIL AND THE AFTER features dozens of the drawings Amil “shares” with their late mom about what is going on.
When the friendship-hungered Amil crosses paths with a mysterious boy during school lunch/recess, readers are plunged into the vulnerable world of those who were stuck and starving in the refugee camps. The mystery boy, Vishal, also has some artistic talent, making for a potential friendship with Amil. But Vishal’s current existence pretty much revolves around him finding his next meal.
Given that the two books are both engaging and enlightening; and that AMIL AND THE AFTER is a worthy sequel to the significant award winner, it makes little sense–outside of theoretical award committee discussions–to spend time debating whether or not this sequel can stand alone without reading the first book. Why bother? Just read the award-winning first book and continue right on through this excellent sequel.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
April 7, 2024
This book is the sequel to the tale told of a family who must leave their home in 1947 during the partition of what became India and Pakistan as we know them today, The Night Diary. 12 year old Amil and his twin sister, Nisha , live in Bombay with their father, grandmother and a family friend who escaped with them. The children are hoping for safety and stability, although they are always aware of the pervasive political tensions. They befriend a refugee boy and helping him becomes an important part of their lives. Amil struggles in school but is a talented artist and very determined to overcome his fears and horrific memories of the family’s escape. The author introduces readers to many Indian words for foods and family members. The glossary was very informative and helpful! NetGalley provided this book for my honest review.
February 4, 2024
I've not read "The Night Diary" which I understand this is the sequel. It is a good story, with great illustrations that help with the visual. A good pick for YA. Hardship is what this young boy is feeling, but not quite understanding how to deal with the situation and has a lot of questions of life. Shows family support, showing of love. Thank you Veera Hiranandani, Kokila and Goodreads for allowing me to read this book.
September 17, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this sequel to The Night Diary, we get to follow the family as they settle in India after being forced to leave Pakistan. Amil, who doesn't do particularly well in school but loves to draw, doesn't keep a diary the way his twin sister Nisha does, but draws scenes of the family's new life as a way to stay connected to the mother he never knew. Kazi is still cooking and taking care of the family, but after the horrible journey to Bombay, is now considered more of a family member. Dadi misses her home terribly, and this has a bad impact on her health, since she is sixty. While the father is working in a hospital as a substitute for another doctor, he is a little worried that he won't be hired on permanently, and that the family will have to move again. Amil struggles with the feeling that while he should feel lucky that all of his family survived and they are now in a good place, he sometimes feels trapped, or unhappy, or wants something, like a bicycle. When he meets Vishal, he admires the boy's ability to draw, and trades his classmate parts of his lunch in exchange for drawing instruction. When he starts to suspect that Vishal doesn't have enough to eat, he starts to bring more food, and the two become friends. Vishal lives in a refugee camp, and has no family of his own. Amil brings him home to wash up, and lends him clothing, but the family's position is still too precarious to take in another person. When Dadi falls and breaks a hip, she spends time in the hospital. At one point, Kazi goes to the hospital to get news, and doesn't come back for some time. It turns out that he has met a teacher from Pakistan and helped her out. Things are very bad in India, and there is concern that Mahatma Ghandi might starve to death during one of his fasts. Vishal returns to the camp, but when he doesn't come to school, Amil is concerned enough to go to find him. Vishal is very sick, and Kazi and Amil's uncle Ashok get him to the hospital. Amil is worried that he might cause his father to loose his job in his attempts to save his friend, but in the end, everything works out fairly well, and Amil even gets a bicycle that he has been coveting.
Strengths: There are so many displaced children in the world right now, and I wonder how many of them feel the way that Amil does? Certainly, there are displaced children in horrible circumstances, but how many of the ones who have food, clothing, and shelter are still harmed by their trauma and struggle when they have small desires that make them feel guilty? In addition to covering a rare moment in history (1948 India), this has a lot of good thoughts about how to treat people who are different from you, how to help others, and how to deal with being a tween in less than ideal circumstances. Readers who followed Nisha's journey will be very glad to see what has happened to her and her family. Amil's drawings in the book will also appeal to readers with an interest in art.
Weaknesses: During some of this, Amil seems much younger than twelve, especially since he has already survived so many horrible things.
What I really think: This was a riveting look at life after Partition, and I can't think of any other books that really cover this. I'm a big fan of books set in India, especially when there are lots of good descriptions of food, and love Hiranandani's How to Find What You're Not Looking For, The Whole Story of Half a Girl, and her Lunch Will Never Be the Same series.
In this sequel to The Night Diary, we get to follow the family as they settle in India after being forced to leave Pakistan. Amil, who doesn't do particularly well in school but loves to draw, doesn't keep a diary the way his twin sister Nisha does, but draws scenes of the family's new life as a way to stay connected to the mother he never knew. Kazi is still cooking and taking care of the family, but after the horrible journey to Bombay, is now considered more of a family member. Dadi misses her home terribly, and this has a bad impact on her health, since she is sixty. While the father is working in a hospital as a substitute for another doctor, he is a little worried that he won't be hired on permanently, and that the family will have to move again. Amil struggles with the feeling that while he should feel lucky that all of his family survived and they are now in a good place, he sometimes feels trapped, or unhappy, or wants something, like a bicycle. When he meets Vishal, he admires the boy's ability to draw, and trades his classmate parts of his lunch in exchange for drawing instruction. When he starts to suspect that Vishal doesn't have enough to eat, he starts to bring more food, and the two become friends. Vishal lives in a refugee camp, and has no family of his own. Amil brings him home to wash up, and lends him clothing, but the family's position is still too precarious to take in another person. When Dadi falls and breaks a hip, she spends time in the hospital. At one point, Kazi goes to the hospital to get news, and doesn't come back for some time. It turns out that he has met a teacher from Pakistan and helped her out. Things are very bad in India, and there is concern that Mahatma Ghandi might starve to death during one of his fasts. Vishal returns to the camp, but when he doesn't come to school, Amil is concerned enough to go to find him. Vishal is very sick, and Kazi and Amil's uncle Ashok get him to the hospital. Amil is worried that he might cause his father to loose his job in his attempts to save his friend, but in the end, everything works out fairly well, and Amil even gets a bicycle that he has been coveting.
Strengths: There are so many displaced children in the world right now, and I wonder how many of them feel the way that Amil does? Certainly, there are displaced children in horrible circumstances, but how many of the ones who have food, clothing, and shelter are still harmed by their trauma and struggle when they have small desires that make them feel guilty? In addition to covering a rare moment in history (1948 India), this has a lot of good thoughts about how to treat people who are different from you, how to help others, and how to deal with being a tween in less than ideal circumstances. Readers who followed Nisha's journey will be very glad to see what has happened to her and her family. Amil's drawings in the book will also appeal to readers with an interest in art.
Weaknesses: During some of this, Amil seems much younger than twelve, especially since he has already survived so many horrible things.
What I really think: This was a riveting look at life after Partition, and I can't think of any other books that really cover this. I'm a big fan of books set in India, especially when there are lots of good descriptions of food, and love Hiranandani's How to Find What You're Not Looking For, The Whole Story of Half a Girl, and her Lunch Will Never Be the Same series.
April 26, 2024
Twelve-year-old Amil and his twin sister Nisha, their father, grandmother and family caretaker have been forced to flee from their beloved homeland in Mirpur Pass in what is now Pakistan to be re-homed in Bombay, India, as a result of a political decision made in the aftermath of WWII. The Partition in 1947 established two separate nations of Pakistan and India. Muslims are relegated to Pakistan while Hindus and Sikhs are to reside in India. This sad, violent migration is the subject of many movies, as well as books. Amil's story is a sequel to the award winning The Night Diary in which the trauma is told through the eyes of his sister Nisha. Amil's point of view continues the story after they emigrate to India in 1948.
Amil is a sensitive boy who finds it difficult to express his feelings. Unlike his sister's facility with reading and writing, Amil, who is most likely an undiagnosed dyslexic, finds his strength in depicting events in detailed drawings. His father, a doctor, doesn't seem to understand the source of the problem and is impatient with his son's seemingly lack of interest in school. Amil is well aware of his father's disappointment in him. Later in the story, Amil's father begins to understand but his aloofness and preoccupation with his work at the hospital, are devastating to Amil who thrives on love, affection and attention.
The children's mother died as a result of childbirth and Amil blames himself as a "feet-first" baby for his family's tragedy constantly seeking reassurance that this is not the case. Amil has two great desires in his new life: a bicycle and a friend. Both wishes come true but not without conflict. Amil is forever reminded that while wishes come true, they do not come without strings attached. People, places, and things require care and nurturing. People often hide the truth of their lives. He can't be a carefree kid. The reality of his world hangs heavy in his heart
In the end, Amil ... "didn't want to think about the before or about what would happen after—after today, after tomorrow, and so on. All he knew was that right now, he had everything he wanted, and it was magical."
This is a sad story in many ways. Amil is only temporarily happy. His complaints about what is lacking in his life border on whining. He lives in the here and now without constructive plans or determination to improve his future. For this reason, I do not feel it's a good role model for young readers. However unrealistic, I think all readers should be elevated by what they read, not left depressed without inspiration or a character to emulate in the future.
We know Amil is sooo sad but where is the climax where he finds his mojo to turn his life and attitude around instead of dwelling in self-pity and disappointment?
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.n
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
Amil is a sensitive boy who finds it difficult to express his feelings. Unlike his sister's facility with reading and writing, Amil, who is most likely an undiagnosed dyslexic, finds his strength in depicting events in detailed drawings. His father, a doctor, doesn't seem to understand the source of the problem and is impatient with his son's seemingly lack of interest in school. Amil is well aware of his father's disappointment in him. Later in the story, Amil's father begins to understand but his aloofness and preoccupation with his work at the hospital, are devastating to Amil who thrives on love, affection and attention.
The children's mother died as a result of childbirth and Amil blames himself as a "feet-first" baby for his family's tragedy constantly seeking reassurance that this is not the case. Amil has two great desires in his new life: a bicycle and a friend. Both wishes come true but not without conflict. Amil is forever reminded that while wishes come true, they do not come without strings attached. People, places, and things require care and nurturing. People often hide the truth of their lives. He can't be a carefree kid. The reality of his world hangs heavy in his heart
In the end, Amil ... "didn't want to think about the before or about what would happen after—after today, after tomorrow, and so on. All he knew was that right now, he had everything he wanted, and it was magical."
This is a sad story in many ways. Amil is only temporarily happy. His complaints about what is lacking in his life border on whining. He lives in the here and now without constructive plans or determination to improve his future. For this reason, I do not feel it's a good role model for young readers. However unrealistic, I think all readers should be elevated by what they read, not left depressed without inspiration or a character to emulate in the future.
We know Amil is sooo sad but where is the climax where he finds his mojo to turn his life and attitude around instead of dwelling in self-pity and disappointment?
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.n
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
December 30, 2023
Twelve-year-old Amil and his family have traveled far to escape the danger and turmoil taking place at the new border between India and Pakistan. As a blended family of Hindu and Muslim people, they must hide their Muslim connections to prevent being ostracized in their new home. Their journey to Bombay, India was treacherous, and Amil desires nothing more than to settle down with a true friend and a bicycle. And though they are lucky to have the things they do, the trauma Amil and his family faced will forever color their collective future.
This historical fiction middle grade novel immerses young readers in India after the division between the Muslims and Hindus in the mid-twentieth century, and it follows the same family featured in The Night Diary by the same author. Interestingly, the story begins after the struggle to survive the bloodshed, and it is only through periodic asides that readers gain a sense of exactly what the family faced on their journey, if they have not read the previous novel. Indian food, culture, and language are found throughout the narrative, which places readers squarely in Amil’s world whether they have a background in Indian history or not. Additionally, the multigenerational and extended family group in which Amil lives is a compelling component of the novel.
Amil is the focal point of the story, and his drawings appear frequently throughout the book. These images help to break up the text while providing readers with a visual means of better understanding the narrative. Complex emotions of loneliness, uncertainty, and grief are felt throughout the story, and readers will be drawn to the ways in which the characters manage their feelings in a new and unfamiliar home, especially after experiencing trauma. Though the story takes place more than fifty years ago, there are intriguing parallels to refugee migration in the present day. A glossary and author’s note at the end of the book provide additional context for those wishing to learn more. This is a thought-provoking and accessible historical fiction novel for middle grade readers.
This historical fiction middle grade novel immerses young readers in India after the division between the Muslims and Hindus in the mid-twentieth century, and it follows the same family featured in The Night Diary by the same author. Interestingly, the story begins after the struggle to survive the bloodshed, and it is only through periodic asides that readers gain a sense of exactly what the family faced on their journey, if they have not read the previous novel. Indian food, culture, and language are found throughout the narrative, which places readers squarely in Amil’s world whether they have a background in Indian history or not. Additionally, the multigenerational and extended family group in which Amil lives is a compelling component of the novel.
Amil is the focal point of the story, and his drawings appear frequently throughout the book. These images help to break up the text while providing readers with a visual means of better understanding the narrative. Complex emotions of loneliness, uncertainty, and grief are felt throughout the story, and readers will be drawn to the ways in which the characters manage their feelings in a new and unfamiliar home, especially after experiencing trauma. Though the story takes place more than fifty years ago, there are intriguing parallels to refugee migration in the present day. A glossary and author’s note at the end of the book provide additional context for those wishing to learn more. This is a thought-provoking and accessible historical fiction novel for middle grade readers.
December 25, 2023
summary: this book is part of a duet, and is the sequel to "The Night Diary". You will have to read "The Night Diary" first for this book to make sense. It follows the same family, including Nisha, her brother Amil, their dad Suresh, and their grandmother. The book is a historical fiction set in 1947, during the partition of India. "The Night Diary" is all about what happens during the partition, and how this family has to react to keep themselves safe. This book is supposed to help give us a look into their lives after they move, and explores how we heal after trauma.
footnotes: firstly, the lovely @veerawrites let me read this as an arc, which i am ever so grateful for. Secondly, while "The Night Diary" is from the perspective of Nisha, "Amil and the After" is from the perspective of Amil. This book releases on January 23, 2024.
thoughts: honestly, my first thought was how pretty the cover was. i think it portrayed amil well and makes more sense as you continue to read the story. the characters feel so real and young. the writing seems so appealing to me, and i felt like i was in the book, not just reading it. i also loved how many new characters we got to meet. it made the plot so interesting to read. the growth each of the characters had throughout the book made me really proud, and was written so believable and raw. this book also doesn't ever fail to tie in the historical events of the time as well. all of the characters actions and events were in line with what really happened. my favorite part about this book was reading the inner monologue of amil, which i missed in "The Night Diary". i was so desperate to hear his inner voice and understand what he was thinking. reading his thoughts made me realize how young he still is, despite how old he might try to act. my only (minor) issue with this book was simply how fast is moved. the plot was so addictive yet it moved just a touch to fast for my liking.
overall, one of the best historical fiction books i've ever read.
footnotes: firstly, the lovely @veerawrites let me read this as an arc, which i am ever so grateful for. Secondly, while "The Night Diary" is from the perspective of Nisha, "Amil and the After" is from the perspective of Amil. This book releases on January 23, 2024.
thoughts: honestly, my first thought was how pretty the cover was. i think it portrayed amil well and makes more sense as you continue to read the story. the characters feel so real and young. the writing seems so appealing to me, and i felt like i was in the book, not just reading it. i also loved how many new characters we got to meet. it made the plot so interesting to read. the growth each of the characters had throughout the book made me really proud, and was written so believable and raw. this book also doesn't ever fail to tie in the historical events of the time as well. all of the characters actions and events were in line with what really happened. my favorite part about this book was reading the inner monologue of amil, which i missed in "The Night Diary". i was so desperate to hear his inner voice and understand what he was thinking. reading his thoughts made me realize how young he still is, despite how old he might try to act. my only (minor) issue with this book was simply how fast is moved. the plot was so addictive yet it moved just a touch to fast for my liking.
overall, one of the best historical fiction books i've ever read.
February 13, 2024
Bombay, 1948. Amil and his sister, born of a Muslim mother, now deceased, and a Hindu father, endured a terrible journey from Pakistan after partition. Though they now have an apartment and their father, a doctor, has a job, all is not as good as it was in their former home. Nisha, Amil's older sister, is super-smart and a writer, but since the journey, she hasn't been able to talk to people outside her family and hasn't made friends. Amil is an artist, but that is not valued by his father, who is permanently disappointed by Amil's poor showing at school. Amil has significant learning differences, but those were not understood or diagnosed at the time. Both kids are suffering PTSD after the journey, and not quite feeling at home in Bombay. Then Amil encounters a boy at school who actually seems to want to be friends, and is also an artist--but he is hiding many secrets, as an orphan living in a refugee camp, with no one looking after him. Amil wants to help, and wants his father to value him for his talents, but he doesn't know if he'll get either one of those things.
I listened to the audiobook so did not see Amil's drawings, which I understand the printed book has. This was a great sequel to Night Diary, and nice to see that surviving the journey was never going to be the end of the story--it still lives in all of them, reflected in different ways. The political, religious, and perceived other differences between people make the kids' world uncomfortable and unsafe, even as they strive to make this new place their home. The story is well-structured, and the characters are distinct and interesting. I think a lot of kids will want to follow up the Night Diary, and others may pick it up to read about a kid like themselves. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
I listened to the audiobook so did not see Amil's drawings, which I understand the printed book has. This was a great sequel to Night Diary, and nice to see that surviving the journey was never going to be the end of the story--it still lives in all of them, reflected in different ways. The political, religious, and perceived other differences between people make the kids' world uncomfortable and unsafe, even as they strive to make this new place their home. The story is well-structured, and the characters are distinct and interesting. I think a lot of kids will want to follow up the Night Diary, and others may pick it up to read about a kid like themselves. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
June 27, 2025
At the heart of this moving story is twelve-year-old Amil, a boy caught between two worlds at a pivotal moment in history. Set in the early days of 1948, just after India’s independence and the painful Partition, the novel follows Amil and his family as they attempt to rebuild their lives in Bombay (now Mumbai), having left behind their home in what has become Pakistan.
Amil, both Hindu and Muslim, wrestles with questions of identity and belonging. His uncertainty mirrors the upheaval in his country, where the borders have shifted but the scars remain. Though he and his family now have a place to live and a school to attend, their sense of home is fragile, constantly shadowed by memories of their harrowing journey and the loss of their homeland.
The emotional depth of the narrative is heightened by the bond between Amil and his twin sister Nisha, a character familiar to readers of Veera Hiranandani’s *The Night Diary*. It is Nisha who encourages Amil to process his feelings and memories through drawings—images he creates for their late mother, whom they never knew. This act of storytelling becomes a lifeline, a way for Amil to find clarity, voice, and healing in the face of confusion and pain.
Through Amil’s eyes, readers gain a gentle yet powerful insight into the effects of displacement, religious tension, and the complexities of post-colonial identity. But the story is far from bleak. It is, above all, a testament to resilience and the quiet strength of children navigating a fractured world.
Beautifully written and deeply heartfelt, this novel is a companion to history and a celebration of art, memory, and the enduring search for home. Recommended for middle grade readers and anyone looking for a tender, honest portrayal of life after Partition.
Amil, both Hindu and Muslim, wrestles with questions of identity and belonging. His uncertainty mirrors the upheaval in his country, where the borders have shifted but the scars remain. Though he and his family now have a place to live and a school to attend, their sense of home is fragile, constantly shadowed by memories of their harrowing journey and the loss of their homeland.
The emotional depth of the narrative is heightened by the bond between Amil and his twin sister Nisha, a character familiar to readers of Veera Hiranandani’s *The Night Diary*. It is Nisha who encourages Amil to process his feelings and memories through drawings—images he creates for their late mother, whom they never knew. This act of storytelling becomes a lifeline, a way for Amil to find clarity, voice, and healing in the face of confusion and pain.
Through Amil’s eyes, readers gain a gentle yet powerful insight into the effects of displacement, religious tension, and the complexities of post-colonial identity. But the story is far from bleak. It is, above all, a testament to resilience and the quiet strength of children navigating a fractured world.
Beautifully written and deeply heartfelt, this novel is a companion to history and a celebration of art, memory, and the enduring search for home. Recommended for middle grade readers and anyone looking for a tender, honest portrayal of life after Partition.
January 23, 2024
In @veerawrites s Amil and the After, the non identical twins Nisha and Amil are back, having survived the partition riots they are now in Bombay, where their dad is filling in for another doctor.
While the Night Diary focused more on Nisha s POV this is Amil's POV and yes of the after - after they had left their old home, the roots and connection to their dead mother. The year is 1948 and a new India is arising.
.
Amil as we realize is dyslexic and finds it hard to read and study but he is a fantastic artist - Nisha tells him to communicate with their mom via these drawings and Amil does just that such that we get these beautiful descriptive pictures of their lives all through the book.
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While Amil and Nisha are bothered about religion, the partition and their luck, the dynamics in the country are shown via their day to day. Dadi breaks her hip, they visit the film maker uncle Ashok and Amil wants a bicycle and learn flip book drawing from a boy who lives in the camps.
Kazi helps a woman from Pakistan, Gandhi is fasting, and Amil feels a lot of emotions, longing, loneliness, shame and yes happiness.
.
The book is a perfect representative of children affected by partition, the riots, the displacement from what they know as home, the adjustment, the understanding of a newly independent country all combined with the family dynamics. The author sketches in the characters with absolutely resolute practicality such that its bound to touch your heart.
A fitting companion book to the previous one indeed!
.
While the Night Diary focused more on Nisha s POV this is Amil's POV and yes of the after - after they had left their old home, the roots and connection to their dead mother. The year is 1948 and a new India is arising.
.
Amil as we realize is dyslexic and finds it hard to read and study but he is a fantastic artist - Nisha tells him to communicate with their mom via these drawings and Amil does just that such that we get these beautiful descriptive pictures of their lives all through the book.
.
While Amil and Nisha are bothered about religion, the partition and their luck, the dynamics in the country are shown via their day to day. Dadi breaks her hip, they visit the film maker uncle Ashok and Amil wants a bicycle and learn flip book drawing from a boy who lives in the camps.
Kazi helps a woman from Pakistan, Gandhi is fasting, and Amil feels a lot of emotions, longing, loneliness, shame and yes happiness.
.
The book is a perfect representative of children affected by partition, the riots, the displacement from what they know as home, the adjustment, the understanding of a newly independent country all combined with the family dynamics. The author sketches in the characters with absolutely resolute practicality such that its bound to touch your heart.
A fitting companion book to the previous one indeed!
.
November 9, 2024
I read The Night Diary five years ago. It’s a story that brings alive the bewilderment of children forced to move out of their homes during the Partition. But just like the “happily ever after” at the end of fairytales glosses over the beginning of a new, complicated phase of life, safely reaching a new home after the Partition cannot be the end of a story.
And with Amil and the After, we see that it isn’t. The struggles and questions Nisha and Amil face don’t end with the end of their journey across an arbitrary border. Now, through Amil’s eyes, we follow another kind of journey. A journey that involves settling in, finding friends, and building a new home.
The emotions of the two adolescents in the story come alive to us. Most importantly, we understand their guilt. What right do they have to be safe when so many others didn’t make it? How is it fair that they have a roof above their heads when refugees in camps continue to struggle?
And out of guilt is born action. They must do something, help someone, ease someone else’s path.
Amil and the After is a touching story, but in several places, I felt like I was at a distance from the narrative. Like The Night Diary, parts of it are slow, but we keep reading because we’re invested in the characters. Most importantly, the conflicting emotions the characters experience resonate with the reader. While it is not a book that made me tear up, it is a powerful story about two children making sense of a difficult time in history.
And with Amil and the After, we see that it isn’t. The struggles and questions Nisha and Amil face don’t end with the end of their journey across an arbitrary border. Now, through Amil’s eyes, we follow another kind of journey. A journey that involves settling in, finding friends, and building a new home.
The emotions of the two adolescents in the story come alive to us. Most importantly, we understand their guilt. What right do they have to be safe when so many others didn’t make it? How is it fair that they have a roof above their heads when refugees in camps continue to struggle?
And out of guilt is born action. They must do something, help someone, ease someone else’s path.
Amil and the After is a touching story, but in several places, I felt like I was at a distance from the narrative. Like The Night Diary, parts of it are slow, but we keep reading because we’re invested in the characters. Most importantly, the conflicting emotions the characters experience resonate with the reader. While it is not a book that made me tear up, it is a powerful story about two children making sense of a difficult time in history.
February 8, 2024
So I read this as a favor to a librarian friend who does not have time to read all of the books she's supposed to, so this review comes with two gigantic caveats, namely:
1) The librarian friend did not realize that this is a sequel, so I have not read the first book
2) Child-me was VERY against reading anything that was not sci-fi or fantasy and child-me, deep inside middle-aged me, was kicking REALLY hard about sticking with this book, and I do not know if this was because of the book itself or just because it felt like the sort of thing I might've been forced to read in school.
I didn't like it, though. It felt condescending (this relates to #2 Caveat) and I am not sure if that's because I'm an adult reading a book meant for kids or because the book is, itself, condescending. I was very sensitive to condescension from adults and books meant for children when I was a child and that seems to have leaked in. That said, I have read plenty of books for children that did NOT feel condescending. It also felt flat. Kid-me would not have liked it but, then, since it doesn't have any wizards in it, kid-me wouldn't have touched it in the first place.
1) The librarian friend did not realize that this is a sequel, so I have not read the first book
2) Child-me was VERY against reading anything that was not sci-fi or fantasy and child-me, deep inside middle-aged me, was kicking REALLY hard about sticking with this book, and I do not know if this was because of the book itself or just because it felt like the sort of thing I might've been forced to read in school.
I didn't like it, though. It felt condescending (this relates to #2 Caveat) and I am not sure if that's because I'm an adult reading a book meant for kids or because the book is, itself, condescending. I was very sensitive to condescension from adults and books meant for children when I was a child and that seems to have leaked in. That said, I have read plenty of books for children that did NOT feel condescending. It also felt flat. Kid-me would not have liked it but, then, since it doesn't have any wizards in it, kid-me wouldn't have touched it in the first place.
March 5, 2024
I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Hiranandani picks up Amil's story shortly after they have made it to their new home. The tensions remain high as India and Pakistan form their own countries. This sets the background for readers as they see how Amil and his family cope with their new environment. Both twins continue to learn in their own ways and each begins to share the ways they are coping with the past trauma. I appreciate how the author shares the variety of emotions they handle and the disfunction in their home as all five of them still need continued healing. Amil shares how fortunate they are and struggles to cope with the suffering all around them. Readers will see his compassion and care for a friend come through and lift the rest of the family to a place of more hope also.
Hiranandani offers readers a chance to see what this time period was like from a child's perspective. The violence is shared as part of their lives. Gandhi's assassination and funeral are part of the narrative as is the hatred and racial discord.
Hiranandani picks up Amil's story shortly after they have made it to their new home. The tensions remain high as India and Pakistan form their own countries. This sets the background for readers as they see how Amil and his family cope with their new environment. Both twins continue to learn in their own ways and each begins to share the ways they are coping with the past trauma. I appreciate how the author shares the variety of emotions they handle and the disfunction in their home as all five of them still need continued healing. Amil shares how fortunate they are and struggles to cope with the suffering all around them. Readers will see his compassion and care for a friend come through and lift the rest of the family to a place of more hope also.
Hiranandani offers readers a chance to see what this time period was like from a child's perspective. The violence is shared as part of their lives. Gandhi's assassination and funeral are part of the narrative as is the hatred and racial discord.
Read
January 29, 2024Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review, which is below.
I was excited to read this book, as a companion to the Night Diary. It's been a while since I read that one, so I had to treat this one as a separate book as I couldn't rely on my memory.
I really enjoyed Amil's character, and the way he processes what is happening around him - a partition in 1948, a migration to a new home,, loss and the impact of British colonization. This is an important story for children in the west to read - as if children are learning about this important year in history it may be as simple as "India declared independence," and not making the connection with what partition did to Hindu and Muslim friends, neighbors, and families. They won't hear about fear and violence. And Hiranandani managed this story in an accessible and relatable way.
I would have loved a little closer perspective - the thoughts and sketches in Amil's diary were really wonderful, and as the text doesn't have a lot of dialogue, the closer insight may have deepened my bond with Amil. A very well done story and if memory serves, I liked this one the best of the two!
I was excited to read this book, as a companion to the Night Diary. It's been a while since I read that one, so I had to treat this one as a separate book as I couldn't rely on my memory.
I really enjoyed Amil's character, and the way he processes what is happening around him - a partition in 1948, a migration to a new home,, loss and the impact of British colonization. This is an important story for children in the west to read - as if children are learning about this important year in history it may be as simple as "India declared independence," and not making the connection with what partition did to Hindu and Muslim friends, neighbors, and families. They won't hear about fear and violence. And Hiranandani managed this story in an accessible and relatable way.
I would have loved a little closer perspective - the thoughts and sketches in Amil's diary were really wonderful, and as the text doesn't have a lot of dialogue, the closer insight may have deepened my bond with Amil. A very well done story and if memory serves, I liked this one the best of the two!
April 27, 2024
Amil and the After provides an age appropriate glimpse into some of the trauma that resulted from the migration, rising violence, and fears that resulted from the Partition of India and Pakistan. Amil, a twelve-year old who struggles to feel his father’s approval, provides important insights into the fallout of the Partition as he tries to make friends at his new school, adjusts to living in the city, and begins to become aware of the ways in which people allow divisions between people by religion and social class leads to harm. While there are many students in America who are the descendents of those who were directly impacted by this event and possibly have access to the stories, their western-born and other peers do not. This is an important work of historical fiction, and the author has done a thoughtful and careful job exploring the difficult feelings about even more difficult topics in an accessible, relatable, and meaningful way.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Kokila, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this important story.
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Kokila, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this important story.
April 17, 2025
Historical fiction for ages 8-12, I think it could easily be for older children, too. 1948 The themes and feelings/thoughts are for everyone. The Indian foods and other terms are in a glossary in the back of the book. I really wish they had been in the front, because I struggled for a while before I thought of checking. Unfortunately, there is a spoiler illustration right next to the first page of the glossary! A blank page in between was needed.
This book is so very good. The different ways each family member deals with the trauma they've lived through, Amil's thoughts and drawings, both fantasies and memories they have of people getting along, thoughts on how to help others, feeling guilty about being lucky, being happy, and so much more. Amil probably has ADHD. The story wasn't only these things. There were things happening of interest in the plot, as well as real events from history. Wonderful and moving author's note. P. S. I did not read the first book, and although I would love to, I don't feel that it detracted from my enjoyment of the sequel.
This book is so very good. The different ways each family member deals with the trauma they've lived through, Amil's thoughts and drawings, both fantasies and memories they have of people getting along, thoughts on how to help others, feeling guilty about being lucky, being happy, and so much more. Amil probably has ADHD. The story wasn't only these things. There were things happening of interest in the plot, as well as real events from history. Wonderful and moving author's note. P. S. I did not read the first book, and although I would love to, I don't feel that it detracted from my enjoyment of the sequel.
September 27, 2025
This book isn't considered a sequel to The Night Diary, but I would consider it one. I didn't read The Night Diary, but it refers to it consistently.
It is really hard for Amil to concentrate at school. Reading for long periods of time doesn't work for him. His mind wonders too much. He explains that reading a science textbook won't stick in his brain, but if his dad shows him/explains to him about something medical, it sticks perfectly. Amil loves to draw. He has little sketches sprinkled in the book. I wish there were more sketches!
This book gives a glimpse into some of the trauma (PTSD) that resulted from the migration, rising violence in Bombay and nearby, fears that resulted from the Partition of India and Pakistan, poor conditions of some refugee camps, sense of family, and so much more.
"We may not all be the same, but we are all connected by our humanity. When we harm each other, we harm ourselves. Conversely, when we support and help each other, we make our own lives better." (Author's Note)
It is really hard for Amil to concentrate at school. Reading for long periods of time doesn't work for him. His mind wonders too much. He explains that reading a science textbook won't stick in his brain, but if his dad shows him/explains to him about something medical, it sticks perfectly. Amil loves to draw. He has little sketches sprinkled in the book. I wish there were more sketches!
This book gives a glimpse into some of the trauma (PTSD) that resulted from the migration, rising violence in Bombay and nearby, fears that resulted from the Partition of India and Pakistan, poor conditions of some refugee camps, sense of family, and so much more.
"We may not all be the same, but we are all connected by our humanity. When we harm each other, we harm ourselves. Conversely, when we support and help each other, we make our own lives better." (Author's Note)
January 22, 2024
Amil and the After is a companion to Newbery Honor The Night Diary, which explores the events leading up to and immediately after the partition through the eyes of Amil’s twin sister, Nisha.
In Amil and the After, readers get a sense of Amil’s world through his thoughts and illustrations. Author Veera Hiranandani captures Amil’s voice through warm and clear prose that confronts the fallout of partition while still capturing the important “little” moments of everyday life.
This historical fiction novel addresses a number of topics that are timely — displaced children, learning disabilities, family dynamics, loneliness and anxiety — while still transporting readers to a different time and place. And laced through it all is a feeling of hope and love.
Amil and the After is a compelling middle-grade read that can be read alone, but will be that much better if read in conjunction with The Night Diary.
In Amil and the After, readers get a sense of Amil’s world through his thoughts and illustrations. Author Veera Hiranandani captures Amil’s voice through warm and clear prose that confronts the fallout of partition while still capturing the important “little” moments of everyday life.
This historical fiction novel addresses a number of topics that are timely — displaced children, learning disabilities, family dynamics, loneliness and anxiety — while still transporting readers to a different time and place. And laced through it all is a feeling of hope and love.
Amil and the After is a compelling middle-grade read that can be read alone, but will be that much better if read in conjunction with The Night Diary.
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