Ticket to India

by N.H. Senzai

A trip to India turns into a grand adventure in this contemporary novel about the Great Partition, from the award-winning author of Saving Kabul Corner and Shooting Kabul.

A map, two train tickets, and a mission. These are things twelve-year-old Maya and her big sister Zara have when they set off on their own from Delhi to their grandmother’s childhood home of Aminpur, a small town in Northern India. Their goal is to find a chest of family treasures that their grandmother’s family left behind when they fled from India to Pakistan during the Great Partition. But soon the sisters become separated, and Maya is alone. Determined to find her grandmother’s lost chest, she continues her trip, on the way enlisting help from an orphan by named Jai.

Maya’s grand adventure through India is as thrilling as it is warm: a journey through her family’s history becomes a real coming-of-age quest.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Travel, India

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 17, 2015

About the author

I grew up speaking two languages, balancing life lived on the edge of two cultures, and, happily, two cuisines—tandoori chicken and hot dogs, grilled side by side on the 4th of July. I got on a plane for the first time at two months, in Chicago, IL, where I was born, and have been travelling ever since. I grew up in San Francisco, Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and attended boarding school in London, England where I was voted “most likely to lead a literary revolution” due to my ability to get away with reading comic books in class. I’ve hiked across the Alps, road-tripped through Mexico, swum with barracudas in the Red Sea, taken a train across the Soviet Union, floated down the Nile, eaten gumbo in New Orleans and sat in contemplation at the Taj Mahal. Somewhere along the way I attended UC Berkeley and Columbia University, picked up a couple of degrees, while pursuing my passion for writing. I’ve landed back home in San Francisco where I live with my husband, a professor of political science, my son, and a cat who owns us. During the day I can be found working for a consulting firm that helps companies with their inventions and patents.

Reviews

[Colleen Houck]

This was a very quick read. Loved all the historical info included. My favorite character was the grandmother. She's a feisty one! Poor kids. I spent half the book telling them to run.

[Saajid Hosein · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4

Twas cute.

[Teresa Scherping Moulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya's beloved nanabba (maternal grandfather) has died. Maya and her family have traveled to Pakistan to mourn with their relatives and bring Nanabba's body back with them to the United States where he will be buried. Maya's naniamma (maternal grandmother) is heartbroken with loss, but she is also distraught over cancelling their family's impending trip to India. Naniamma was hoping to visit India, the country of her birth and childhood, and reconnect with her past from before the India/Pakistan Partition - but she also insists there was something she needed to retrieve there. Secretly, Naniamma plans to make the trip anyway, alone, but Maya and her sister Zara discover her plot and insist on going with her. But nothing ends up the way the three of them have planned. Soon Maya finds herself alone in India, lost and without money, with dangerous people after her. Can she survive on her own? Can she fulfill her promise to Naniamma to retrieve what was left in India so long ago?

This book started out slowly, and I wasn't really into it at first. Sad family stories aren't my personal favorite to read, but I do love a strong setting (which this does have), so I stuck with it. Little did I know that I was about to read about a medical emergency, a theft, a kidnapping, imprisonment, stowaways, a mob of protesters, and several chases through the streets of India! Looking at the cover and title of this book, you would not think it's as action-packed as it is. Since this is a children's book, everything pretty much turns out well, but MAN does Maya make some terrible decisions and end up in some really scary situations. The reader will also learn a lot about the history of Pakistan and India, specifically the 1947 Partition, which I hadn't heard of until just recently.

I would recommend this book to grades 4-8, especially fans of adventure, history, and books about other places in the world. This could use some booktalking to convince kids how exciting it is. Readalikes might include The Green Bicycle by Haifaa al Mansour (for a story of a girl on a mission and a Muslim family), In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall (for a trip learning about cultural history from a grandparent), or Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White (for young people trying to survive on their own).

[Rainy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventurous and dangerous story this book is! Ticket to India is about Maya's journey in India with her grandmother and sister in order to retrieve their old family chest left behind when their grandmother was still a child.

Maya's grandfather had just died. Her grandmother insisted to travel to India from Pakistan despite the prohibition from other family members as the dangers she might encounter. Maya, her sister, Zara and her grandmother managed to sneak off and went to India. Their journey started smoothly until their grandmother fell sick and bedridden in a hospital. From there, Maya and Zara started their journey without their grandmother. But everything went wrong when they boarded a wrong train, got split from each other and Maya got kidnapped by some mobs. With the help from a little boy called Jai, Maya managed to escape and continued her journey to find her grandmother's chest alone.

This book should be called "The Adventures of Maya in India" instead 😂. From tasting the sweet jalebis with her grandmother to eating bad dhaal in captive that made her sick, Maya's adventures in India was really unexpected. I'm glad that Maya was courageous enough to escape from her kidnappers and still continue her journey to retrieve her grandmother's chest.

This book taught me a lot of things such as the Partition of India in 1947, the reasons that form a great rift between India and Pakistan, the true reality of poverty, hunger and abandoned children in India and many more. A good and enjoyable read and still informative enough to taught the readers on some topic about India and Pakistan.

[aarja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a girl, Maya whose family is the victim of the partition of India and Pakistan.
At that time, her Naniamma and her family decide to migrate to Pakistan, while her Dadiamma and her family refuse to budge from India. Her grandmothers were in their early childhood.
Now, when her Naniamma and her family were riding on the train to Pakistan, they all were killed (including the other passengers on the train) but her Naniamma and two others. Once she reached Pakistan, she was taken in by an orphanage. Soon, she grew up and married a man, Maya’s Nanaba. They had a family. And soon enough their granddaughters were born, Zara (Maya’s elder sister) and Maya in America.
Maya knows nothing about her family and the Partition.
Maya used to love going to Pakistan and spent time with her Nanaba in his garden, with his favorite pink rose, Rosa Bourboniana. Everything is fine and happy until Maya’s family gets the news of her Nanaba’s death of a stroke.
Naniamma desperately wants to go to India, but her family doesn’t want her to go in this situation. Zara and Maya notice their Naniamma’s peculiar behavior and ask her if they can go along. Naniamma has to let them. They take off on the flight and Naniamma tells them her story, about her Hindu friend Reshma, the partition, how they buried their family treasures, and why she wants it. She wants her ring buried with Nanaba.
They land in Delhi, collect the keys of her house and go back to the hotel.
The next morning sisters find their Naniamma fainted. They get to know that she has gotten a minor stroke.
Now, Maya has to carry the responsibility of getting the chest. She is on her own and has to have the courage of going all the way to Aminpur. And while her journey, her whole life is changed as she unites everyone.

[Alya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book as a kid, so that I could be inspired in my youth to seek out the histories and legacies of my family.
And what an adventure! While Maya makes some horrible decisions along her quest, the fact is she makes each one and learns from them, adapting as time goes on. And Senzai deftly portrays some harsh realities of India, mixed with historical tensions, real events, and beautiful humanity of the people.
But what I loved most was the true, honest, complicated relationships between a variety of fascinating women and girls. And never too heavy handed. And also! The respect given to different cultures/religions, as seen by Maya's embracing of the different roots of and meanings of her name for example, was immensely meaningful. We don't see enough of that kind of respect and acceptance (better than mere tolerance) these days.
All in all, a valuable experience.

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya and Zara set out to help their grandmother accomplish a task she has longed wanted to complete: visiting India where her family was from before they fled to Pakistan during the Great Partition. Along the way, they encounter obstacles (city changed & people moved, thieves, and child slave laborers). However, Maya is determined to do whatever it takes to help her grandmother.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me on this one. I love reading diverse middle grade that’s not set in the US and this fit that bill as it’s set in Pakistan and India. It was good and I enjoyed it a lot but I would say it’s a bit dark for middle grade. The main protagonist, Maya, gets kidnapped and details the horrific child trafficking and child laborer issues that exist in India but it’s very graphic and frightening. I definitely think it’s important to discuss these issues with children (as they exist at home too) and I like how the author incorporated Maya’s thought process by drawing on what figures of authority told her to do in such situations. However, I think this one is a bit dark. The grandma’s character is incredible; she has such gumption in light of what she went through. Also, the plot is really amazing though and I love the inclusion of history about the partition in 1947. It’s fascinating how she drew on her own family’s history. I’m glad too in the end they got the happy ending they deserved and were able to save all the children who were orphaned. It’s a really good story so if the plot line of kidnapping isn’t too much I highly recommend checking it out!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had very low expectations on this book when beginning it, and sure, it was a bit slow at first, but the end really made up for it! I learned so much about India and its religion, culture, and most important, history. On some pages I felt like screaming at whoever was close to me because I got so mad at whatever was happening. For example, -SPOILER ALERT- the kidnapping of Maya. I felt like I was in India smelling the tasty foods like the parathas and the kebabs, which honestly, I really need to try those sizzling, mouth watering chops of meat roasted with rosemary and garlic and churned in the barbecue, making an explosion of flavor...MADE YOU HUNGRY! All in all, at the end I felt my heart soak up all the love and joy that was received to the characters!
AWESOME BOOK THAT DESERVES FIVE STARS!!!

[Monika Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing some of your personal family turmoil in this book! Your books continue to be nuanced in such a way that helps capture both human emotions and the complexity of every situation and event!

[Saisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book!

[hiral · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK JUST LOVED IT 😍❤️💘🇮🇳

[Celeste_pewter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I realized that Ticket to India would delve into the history of the Great Partition, my interest was immediately piqued. I had classmates in graduate school whose families had both fled India and stayed behind, and I was interested in seeing how N.H. Senzai would translate that complex, often bloody history into a middle grade tale.

The answer? Fantastically. Senzai, who previously gained recognition for Shooting Kabul and Saving Kabul Corner, introduce us to Maya, who is returning to Pakistan to fulfill a sad family duty - burying her beloved grandfather.

However, she quickly learns that her grandmother or Naniamma has something she needs to do before the funeral can take place. Her family left behind a box of treasures as they were fleeing India during Partition, and Naniamma believes that her husband can't be laid to rest, without something in the box. It's now up to Maya, her sister and their grandmother to bring the box home...

What makes Ticket to India so compelling to read - even for an older reader like myself - is that it's both a quest story and a historical tale, woven into one. Senzai does a great job setting up an initial and clear objective for Maya and her sister: retrieving their Naniamma's heirloom box. Their various attempts to get to the box in India are not only exciting, but also show how resourceful two young people can be when faced with challenging situations.

Even when things keep going wrong for Maya and Zara, the two sisters are able to think quickly on their feet while dually appreciating the opportunities that they're being given. Unlike a stereotypical teens who would likely balk about being abroad and traveling into unknown situations, Senzai's careful to show how the two sisters can still take a moment to appreciate India's greatest landmarks, even as they travel. There's an innate (and much appreciated!) eagerness by Maya to learn, and it's clearly reflected in the diary passages that Senzai uses to frame her experiences.

Outside of Maya and Zara's quest, Senzai also uses their trip to share a period in history that may not be as familiar to western youth. She's candid about the genuine horrors that came with Partition, and Naniamma's background is both painful and heartbreaking. But Senzai also gently reminds readers that both countries have evolved and matured throughout the decades, and thoughtfully points out both a shared history, and a growing willingness by both sides to contemplate thinking differently in the future.

(As someone who shares roots in both China and Taiwan, I definitely felt the universality of Senzai's writing, as Maya notes many of those shared foundations between India and Pakistan, as those were thoughts I've had myself about China and Taiwan - including a similar conversation with a taxi driver through the streets of Beijing.)

While Maya's quest borders into high drama at times, Senzai's writing doesn't suffer as a result. Instead, we're made to feel acutely just some of the lengths that people will go to for survival, as a result of circumstances beyond their control. It's a subtle throwback to lengths that many likely went to after Partition occurred, and does challenge readers to question just what an individual is capable of doing.

Bottom line: Ticket to India is a clear example of why diverse books are needed in the hands of readers. This is a book that not only captures the imagination, but also helps readers to better understand a turbulent point in history, that will likely hit home closer than they might think.

Of special note: Senzai doesn't hesitate to depict some of the harsher realities of life in modern India, including the abduction of children to be used in street gangs. While it's definitely tough reading about how these young children are treated by these gangs, it also provides ample opportunity to discuss just why these gangs have formed, and the various ways that organizations and individuals are proactively trying to help them.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story with some amazing historical facts thrown in. The Partition, or division of India and Pakistan in 1947 based on religious preference is something we here in the West don't really know much about. A very real and kind of scary depiction of life in some of the big cities of India is also described with the street orphans and the main character getting kidnapped.

"Sixth-grader Maya has already traveled from California to Karachi, Pakistan, nine times to visit her grandparents, but this trip will be different: her nanabba (grandfather) has passed away. After the funeral, her grandmother will be returning to California with them, but first Naniamma intends to go to India and retrieve valuables hidden by her family when they fled to Pakistan during Partition. Maya and her sister, Zara, persuade Naniamma to let them join her, but their trip is complicated when Naniamma requires hospitalization, and Maya is later kidnapped by men that run a criminal gang of orphans. What starts as a realistic exploration of grief and family history turns into an exciting action adventure. . . . Senzai’s novel is packed with fascinating information about the complex history and culture of India and Pakistan. . . . Brings attention to an underrepresented culture in an appealing way". (Booklist)

[Kathie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars: Maya and her sister Zara are two very different Pakistani American girls. When their beloved grandfather dies suddenly they travel to Pakistan with their mother to help make funeral arrangements. In grieving with their grandmother they discover a family secret and join in a pact to help their grandmother retrieve family treasures from India, where her whole family lived before Partition. Part treasure hunt, part The Odyssey road trip, and part Slumdog Millionaire, we are dragged across the great expanse of India with Maya encountering every prototypical hero, villain and every colorful character in between. Maya is a true Calamity Jane; anything that can go wrong will. It's a fun "each chapter is a cliffhanger" read and a great way to explore Indian and Pakistani history, culture, and culture shock in general. Our 6th graders read this for Lit Group and unanimously loved it!

[Beth Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t what I thought it was. I enjoyed the first 120 pages, but then the story took a turn that was too far-fetched for me. I disliked the twists and the convenient coincidences. At that point, I wanted to give up on it but I picked this book to fit a prompt for the Middle Grade March challenge (a book featuring a journey or adventure) and it’s a book I’ve owned for years, so I decided to stick with it. I feel bad saying this, but I wasted precious reading time on this book. I’m going to donate my copy to a Little Free Library in my neighborhood. I hope someone else will enjoy it. I usually love books about India and Pakistan, but unfortunately this wasn’t one of them.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This did not engage me whatsoever, despite the high hopes I had (especially as an Indian descendant who doesn't know anything about their ancestors). The tidbits about the history of India and Pakistan were interesting inasmuch as they are educational but they were not woven in organically. I am more lenient in my rating because it's a kid's book and because it is a rare type of English-language book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and Interesting read, even for a J fiction. Definitely not too dumbed down or sugar-coated - as it pointed out the plight of exploited children in India and Pakistan - also gave a good overview of the history of the Partition.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I really think this book was written well. I liked how Maya foud out her family history in the ending.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about family history and growing up with an added touch of adventure. Makes me want to get my own ticket to India.

[AKK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a girl, Maya whose family is the victim of the partition of India and Pakistan.
At that time, her Naniamma and her family decide to migrate to Pakistan, while her Dadiamma and her family refuse to budge from India. Her grandmothers were in their early childhood.
Now, when her Naniamma and her family were riding on the train to Pakistan, they all were killed (including the other passengers on the train) but her Naniamma and two others. Once she reached Pakistan, she was taken in by an orphanage. Soon, she grew up and married a man, Maya’s Nanaba. They had a family. And soon enough their granddaughters were born, Zara (Maya’s elder sister) and Maya in America.
Maya knows nothing about her family and the Partition.
Maya used to love going to Pakistan and spent time with her Nanaba in his garden, with his favorite pink rose, Rosa Bourboniana. Everything is fine and happy until Maya’s family gets the news of her Nanaba’s death of a stroke.
Naniamma desperately wants to go to India, but her family doesn’t want her to go in this situation. Zara and Maya notice their Naniamma’s peculiar behavior and ask her if they can go along. Naniamma has to let them. They take off on the flight and Naniamma tells them her story, about her Hindu friend Reshma, the partition, how they buried their family treasures, and why she wants it. She wants her ring buried with Nanaba.
They land in Delhi, collect the keys of her house and go back to the hotel.
The next morning sisters find their Naniamma fainted. They get to know that she has gotten a minor stroke.
Now, Maya has to carry the responsibility of getting the chest. She is on her own and has to have the courage of going all the way to Aminpur. And while her journey, her whole life is changed as she unites everyone.

[Yoshine Une Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya who is a Sixth grader girl traveled from California to Karachi, Pakistan for her grandfather’s funeral. After the funeral, her grandmother will be returning to California with them but Maya’s grandmother intends to go to India and retrieve valuables hidden by her family when they fled to Pakistan during the India – Pakistan Partition 1940’s. Maya and her sister Zara persuade her grandmother to take them along to India where her grandmother had a mild stroke and being hospitalized. Maya and her sister Zara set out to help their grandmother to accomplish the task to retrieve the valuables hidden at the grandmother’s ancestor house. Along the way, Maya got kidnapped by men that run a criminal gang of orphan .Somehow, Maya manage to escape and continue her journey with a help from a friend Jai to her Grandmother’s Ancestor house. This story revolves on historical part on the India- Pakistan partition 1940’s and an exciting adventure faced by Maya throughout her way to fulfill her grandmother’s wish.

[Aya Prita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really amazing. It's totally amazing and it leaves a soft spot on my brain.
This book is something I picked randomly in Big Bad Wolf because there's only few copies of it and I caught myself reading the blurbs, the synopsis so many times during the Big Bad Wolf's work hour. And I want it so bad. So, yup, the book is beautiful. Aside from its beautiful cover, it's indeed have beautiful story.

Maya, a very shy kid that eventually found herself in a very compelling venture in India, also seeking the story behind her family that she never know. Ticket to India, beautifully written about a child on her adventure and also, unrevealing history that we've never known between Pakistan and India.

I recommended this to everyone who needs a quick reads yet needs an astounding escape to India.

[Kanika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ticket to India is a heart-warming tale about a young girl who goes through an adventurous journey to learn about her past, which is shared with millions of children in India itself. The story is very interesting and thrilling, although is a bit mature for some people, as it deals with issues of child abuse and the darkness in the Indian streets. The main character's growth throughout her journey is very significant and enjoyable to read about. The story has a satisfactory ending but left me with a sense of emptiness as the book gave birth to a new curiosity regarding certain issues in the story, which is very much present in these times. Overall, Ticket to India was a beautiful story which illustrated past and present strifes and a compelling plot into one effortlessly woven tale.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned more than I ever knew about India and Pakistan in this beautiful middle-grade novel. The story follows Maya as she flies from San Francisco to Pakistan for her grandfather's funeral. Unbeknownst to Maya's family, grandma has planned a trip back to her birthplace in India to retrieve buried family treasures, including a ring to place on her husband before he is buried. Maya and her sister work their way into grandma's plan, but nothing goes according to plan after they land in India. As Maya experiences each crazy bend in the road, we learn about India's and Pakistan's unique history and about Maya's growth as a person.

[Rachael ༊·˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel that it is a great book when it comes to describing the history of the Partition - writing the book from the perspective of a grandmother trying to recover her past. Although some of the facts, in my opinion, are a bit uncomfortable in some way to the reader - like the kidnapping - I guess it is just part of the author describing how India is, so I would not really criticize that. But, I do say that the kidnapping is a bit distracting from the whole quest of finding the chest and everything.

[Heather Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book has been on my TBR list since published because of my very fond feelings for Shooting Kabul. Even though juvenile fiction, Shooting Kabul touched me in a way only certain books are capable of doing. While well-written, I didn't connect to this story or characters in near the same manner. Readers will enjoy the sisters' adventures through India and the hunt for family memories.

** As a side note, I read this in small bursts in between projects versus being my primary book and every day read. This most likely factored into my lack of connection to story.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I can get into and enjoy middle grade fiction very easily, but there was something about the way this book constantly lectured me that I found really tedious. It seemed as though events were contrived, and random characters introduced, for the sole purpose of delivering yet another fact about Indian history or culture. Having said that, I did actually learn a little from it. I think it would be well-received by the target audience.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maya and her family travel to Pakistan after her grandfather dies. Her grandmother was born in India and has received permission to re-enter the country for a trip. The family doesn't believe now is a good time, but she knows she will never get another chance. So grandmother and her two granddaughters travel secretly to India, looking for lost memories and treasures. When Maya's grandmother becomes hospitalized and the sisters become separated, will Maya be able to complete the mission?

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Very decriptive, engages the senses. How siblings suddenly find themselves fulfilling a grandparents mission in a former ancestral homeland. Dangers. Unknowns. Determination. Fast action, heart thumping suspense. Reading this I am compelled to read more about India's history, the partition and its aftermath.