The Night Diary

The Night Diary

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade historical
• Originally Published: 2018
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 700L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 60 diary entries; approximately 272 pages; approximately 5 hours, 55 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The Night Diary’s central conflict revolves around Nisha, a young girl living in India in 1947. As the country gains independence from Britain and is divided into India and Pakistan, Nisha’s world is also divided. She, her brother, and father are Hindu, but her late mother was Muslim. This makes them vulnerable during the turbulent partition. Nisha’s diary entries narrate her journey as she grapples with her identity, navigates a world torn by religious and political conflict, and discovers the power of hope and love in the face of adversity. The novel addresses identity, family, and the impact of historical events on individuals.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Partition of India; religious conflict; personal identity; physical assault; bullying; death of parent in backstory

Veera Hiranandani, Author

• Bio: American author known for her middle grade and young adult novels; often explores themes of identity and cultural heritage; has received critical acclaim; known for works with emotional resonance and historical authenticity
• Other Works: The Whole Story of Half a Girl (2012); How to Find What You’re Not Looking For (2021)
• Awards: Newbery Honor (2019); Malka Penn Award (2019)