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The Line They Drew through Us
From the author of Safiyyah's War – winner of the Indie Book Award, the Week Junior Book Award, the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize and The Diverse Book Award.
'Historical fiction at its finest - vibrant, vital, deeply moving, and brimming with wisdom for the future' - Sophie Anderson
'A richly told and immensely moving Partition story that spotlights a moment in history of colonial empire that changed the lives of millions' - A M Dassu
Three best friends are born on the same day under miraculous circumstances. But by their twelfth birthday, Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi’s lives are about to change forever. The British announce Indian independence and draw lines of Partition that tear apart the country, and the friends. One of them flees, one of them disappears, and the other is left wondering, could a miracle bring them back together?
Cover art by Hazem Asif
'Historical fiction at its finest - vibrant, vital, deeply moving, and brimming with wisdom for the future' - Sophie Anderson
'A richly told and immensely moving Partition story that spotlights a moment in history of colonial empire that changed the lives of millions' - A M Dassu
Three best friends are born on the same day under miraculous circumstances. But by their twelfth birthday, Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi’s lives are about to change forever. The British announce Indian independence and draw lines of Partition that tear apart the country, and the friends. One of them flees, one of them disappears, and the other is left wondering, could a miracle bring them back together?
Cover art by Hazem Asif
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2025
9 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 9, 2025
4.5* Between this and Safiyyah’s War, Hiba Noor Khan has quickly become one of my favourite middle grade authors. The way she writes about historical events, expertly balancing both honesty and accessibility, is truly something to be admired. The Line They Drew Through Us tells the story of three friends in the lead up to and the fall out during and after Partition. It’s deeply moving and, beautifully told and incredibly impactful. It’s gut wrenching and hopeful, education and memorable and a story I think will enlighten all of its readers, both young and old.
December 4, 2024
Fantastic read that encapsulates the terrible effect partition had on families and friends. Told through the eyes of 2 young boys & their tomboy friend from families of different religions, it illustrates the personal cost of a decision made by a ruling power who no longer had a vested interest. It's an emotional read.
December 13, 2024
Loved it. Important. Moving. Beautiful. Thought provoking.
April 26, 2025
This book deserves every single ounce of everyone’s attention. Whilst this may sound like a sweeping statement, I believe this with every fibre of my being. The partition of India was something I’d heard of in passing in school history, or referenced in other books I’ve read, but not only does The Line They Drew Through Us teach the reader, it guides the reader’s emotions through the lesson too. Add to this Hiba Noor Khan’s effortless ability to do so through the eyes of twelve-year-olds, I can safely say this is one people must read in 2025.
Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi are magnificent. Not only for my point of getting to see the partition through their eyes, but for their differences. So prominent at the forefront of their characters, they each shine as individuals. However, throughout the novel, we get to see how individuals can remain so and still belong to a group without them all adopting each other’s traits. The level of realism this brought to the idea of shared experience, and how a group of friends may live through the same event and view/live it with an alternate perspective is wonderful and I will think of these characters for years to come.
Family is something I’ve had a mixed relationship with my whole life, due to being LGBTQ+ and the generation in which I grew up. Especially being from a traditional Mediterranean background, it’s a relationship I’ve ebbed and flowed with. However, this book reminded me how special that relationship can be and not to take it for granted because we truly don’t know what’s around the corner. Even towards the end of the novel, where chosen family becomes present, Hiba Noor Khan’s ability to master of dynamic and realistic relationship writing shines through and it’s safe to say I haven’t cried at a book like this in a long time. (Side note: I was ugly crying so much in a public coffee shop, a member of the public stopped to check I was okay!)
There’s not much more I can say about The Line They Drew Through Us beyond this… It is utter perfection. I predict great things to come both for Hiba Noor Khan and this book in 2025 and I wish for every person who sees this post to get the opportunity to read this novel. It is a masterpiece that deserves to be uplifted to the pedestal of timeless classic.
Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi are magnificent. Not only for my point of getting to see the partition through their eyes, but for their differences. So prominent at the forefront of their characters, they each shine as individuals. However, throughout the novel, we get to see how individuals can remain so and still belong to a group without them all adopting each other’s traits. The level of realism this brought to the idea of shared experience, and how a group of friends may live through the same event and view/live it with an alternate perspective is wonderful and I will think of these characters for years to come.
Family is something I’ve had a mixed relationship with my whole life, due to being LGBTQ+ and the generation in which I grew up. Especially being from a traditional Mediterranean background, it’s a relationship I’ve ebbed and flowed with. However, this book reminded me how special that relationship can be and not to take it for granted because we truly don’t know what’s around the corner. Even towards the end of the novel, where chosen family becomes present, Hiba Noor Khan’s ability to master of dynamic and realistic relationship writing shines through and it’s safe to say I haven’t cried at a book like this in a long time. (Side note: I was ugly crying so much in a public coffee shop, a member of the public stopped to check I was okay!)
There’s not much more I can say about The Line They Drew Through Us beyond this… It is utter perfection. I predict great things to come both for Hiba Noor Khan and this book in 2025 and I wish for every person who sees this post to get the opportunity to read this novel. It is a masterpiece that deserves to be uplifted to the pedestal of timeless classic.
May 6, 2025
The line they drew through us is an engaging and an important read.
Engaging because, right from the outset, I was invested. The author's note provides the context to the story - the historical significance of the line that is randomly drawn to create two new countries from one. The first chapter offers a dramatic introduction to the main characters -Ravi, Jahan and Lakshmi - and the circumstances of their birth. I couldn't wait to know more.
Through the three kids, the story offers a beautiful insight into the nostalgic era of summer holidays at grandparents' home, the chaos and the joy of being part of a large family.
Hiba Noor Khan takes her time to establish her story though there were moments when I felt it was trying too hard, it gets on track once the simmering historical events come to fore and affects the children in a way that is lifechanging. That is when Hiba Khan strikes, the sensitivity with which she handles such a tough subject is remarkable.
Love, loss and friendship, all come beautifully together in this well told story with partition as its backdrop.
This historical event has not been documented well in fiction and that is why this book is important. We need more stories like these.
What must be appreciated is that it does not shy away from addressing the aftermath of Partition and yet displays a positivity which is an important takeaway for the young reader.
This is the reason why I loved it so much that I will be getting some copies for young readers who I know will love it!
Engaging because, right from the outset, I was invested. The author's note provides the context to the story - the historical significance of the line that is randomly drawn to create two new countries from one. The first chapter offers a dramatic introduction to the main characters -Ravi, Jahan and Lakshmi - and the circumstances of their birth. I couldn't wait to know more.
Through the three kids, the story offers a beautiful insight into the nostalgic era of summer holidays at grandparents' home, the chaos and the joy of being part of a large family.
Hiba Noor Khan takes her time to establish her story though there were moments when I felt it was trying too hard, it gets on track once the simmering historical events come to fore and affects the children in a way that is lifechanging. That is when Hiba Khan strikes, the sensitivity with which she handles such a tough subject is remarkable.
Love, loss and friendship, all come beautifully together in this well told story with partition as its backdrop.
This historical event has not been documented well in fiction and that is why this book is important. We need more stories like these.
What must be appreciated is that it does not shy away from addressing the aftermath of Partition and yet displays a positivity which is an important takeaway for the young reader.
This is the reason why I loved it so much that I will be getting some copies for young readers who I know will love it!
October 30, 2025
Oh this was sad. But I am so glad these stories are being told. It was about 5 years ago I first read someone's experience of the partition and I realised how crazy it was that I've grown up around Pakistanis and Indians my whole life and yet knew so little.
I loved the Helpers being focussed on, even when things were horrible. I loved Christopher and that reminder that a whole people are not automatically Villains. I loved the tree love. I loved the part about hifdh.
Initially I was uncomfortable with how much merging there was between the faiths. It felt like, to be inclusive they had to be the same and I don't like that. We are not the same and to act like we are makes religion kind of meaningless. But the feeling faded as the story developed. There was more of a focus on love and respect despite the differences.
CONTENT:
Language: None
Romance: None (yay!) Just mentions of weddings.
Faith: There are Hindu, Sikh and Muslim characters with aspects of each of their faiths mentioned. MC is Muslim and there is Salah, hifdh. fasting and dhikr. The children celebrate the holidays of the other faiths.
Other: Loss, grief and overall can get quite heavy describing oppression.The boys dress as cleaning girls to disguise themselves. Musical instruments.
I loved the Helpers being focussed on, even when things were horrible. I loved Christopher and that reminder that a whole people are not automatically Villains. I loved the tree love. I loved the part about hifdh.
Initially I was uncomfortable with how much merging there was between the faiths. It felt like, to be inclusive they had to be the same and I don't like that. We are not the same and to act like we are makes religion kind of meaningless. But the feeling faded as the story developed. There was more of a focus on love and respect despite the differences.
CONTENT:
Language: None
Romance: None (yay!) Just mentions of weddings.
Faith: There are Hindu, Sikh and Muslim characters with aspects of each of their faiths mentioned. MC is Muslim and there is Salah, hifdh. fasting and dhikr. The children celebrate the holidays of the other faiths.
Other: Loss, grief and overall can get quite heavy describing oppression.The boys dress as cleaning girls to disguise themselves. Musical instruments.
September 24, 2025
I am a twelve year old, and I read Safiyyah's War when I was 10, with a lot of re-reads! It was absolutely amazing! But this The Line They Dew Through us was in my opinion, better written. Safiyyah's War was amazing, ngl! But this was out of league! I'm the 12-year-old Pakistan - and this is the best partition book I've ever read! What I really appreciate about Hiba Noor Khan is that she in her historical fiction novels she writes about forgotten history. Like the way it is written BRO talent! I may be 12, so I might be a lil dramatic - BUT I'M NOT EXAGGERATING WHEN I SAY THIS IS AMAZING! Like it is also so exciting! And the part - no, nevermind, that will be spoilers. But by the ending, like tears were escaping my eyes!!! Very well written. There is one thing so beautiful about this book: like Hindu Indians and Muslim Indians (soon to be Pakistani Muslims) - they like lived together and were like bffs - like despite all these clashes with Indians and Pakistanis, Hiba Noor Khan unites us all... Like... idk... BUT YOU BETTER BUY THIS!
July 2, 2025
The Line They Drew Through Us is a must read & pairs well with Sathnam’s nonfiction book, Stolen History, to learn more about the facts and Kabir Khan’s film, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, to remember that our shared humanity is more powerful than imposed borders.
Not only is it an engaging story with vivid characters but it also reveals the trauma without overwhelming a 9 year old. It correctly states the imperialist’s role as a deliberate act of violence & self-interest. Most books focus on the horrors of Partition without making clear the cause.
Minor quibble in that the colonialist’s role is told not shown, so we don’t feel the horrors of their decisions/actions just the consequences. I also felt that Lakshmi was under-served by the end of the story.
Not only is it an engaging story with vivid characters but it also reveals the trauma without overwhelming a 9 year old. It correctly states the imperialist’s role as a deliberate act of violence & self-interest. Most books focus on the horrors of Partition without making clear the cause.
Minor quibble in that the colonialist’s role is told not shown, so we don’t feel the horrors of their decisions/actions just the consequences. I also felt that Lakshmi was under-served by the end of the story.
August 24, 2025
Another incredibly moving, impacting and memorable historical fiction book from Khan, highly recommended for school curriculums! An emotional and informative read, nice mix of adventure, friendship and real life histories
May 3, 2025
very thought provoking and insightful into the history of India
December 3, 2025
It was the absolute best!!!! 💯 🔥 👌
September 22, 2025
Enjoyed this. Real insight into abit if history we should all know more about
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews