Amil and the After

Written by Veera Hiranandani

A boy seeks hope and identity in post-partition India.

4.0 Goodreads · 612 ratings

272 pages· 47,165 words· Est. 6.5 hour read· 730L

$9.99Save 4%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1948, twelve-year-old Amil grapples with identity and belonging in a newly independent India. Torn between his Muslim and Hindu heritage, he navigates uncertainty in Bombay. Guided by his twin sister, Amil begins to express his journey through drawings for their late mother. As he sketches, he uncovers resilience and hope amidst chaos, striving to find his place in a reborn nation. Will Amil's art help him understand what home truly means?

From the publisher

A hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy, 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. Both Muslim and 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.

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