The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi

This is the third time in a week I’m hearing about this thing called Partition. Torture. Massacre. Forced to move. Friends versus enemies. What on earth was this event and how come I’ve never heard of it before? We learn about the Holocaust in school, but not this. Never this. Now, suddenly, Partition seems to be the only thing everyone is talking about.

This is one of those stories where you do need to be very patient with the main character. I rightly predicted early on in the story that something dreadful had happened Dadi back when her family were forced to leave their home in India in 1947 but Maha just doesn't seem to ask the 'right' questions. This is also a very long book with over 410 pages. 

Here are some text quotes to give you the flavour of this book:

She’s way older than any grandmother I know, but that’s because she adopted Abba in her forties, and then Ammi and Abba waited a while to have kids after they got married. But I don’t think she wants to discuss her age. “You speak English,” I say as we enter the house through the mudroom. “I thought you—” She turns to look straight at me. “What? That I’m uneducated just because I’m from Pakistan?”

I perk up, because in the dumpster fire of my life, this year’s electives are a cool bucket of water. Bethune Middle offers changing electives every semester in seventh grade, and I’ve signed up for media studies this semester.

“You were forced out of your home? Why would anyone do that?” The story she’d told me just a couple of hours ago about her childhood in Ludhiana was so ...  Lovely, even. Her friends Rasheeda and Prisha. Her abba and ammi. Her school where they wrote on slates with chalk. It sounded like the best kind of dream. How could anything bad have happened there?

Millions of Muslims fled to Pakistan on foot and via trains, while a similar number of Hindus and Sikhs traveled to India in the same manner. Along the way, they faced bloodthirsty mobs, hunger, and disease. Historians estimate that more than 15 million people were displaced during the period of the Partition, and almost 2 million

We packed a few clothes, but that was it. Hakam and Jamal wanted to take all their toys, but Ammi didn’t let them. I wanted to take the journal that Abba had given me, but there was no room. It didn’t really matter at that point. Everything was so tense, I had a constant stomachache from all the fear of what was going to happen. 

What just happened? Did I lose my best friend, as well as my new friend? Did I just forget every rule about not losing my temper or saying mean things while fasting? I want to ditch school and go home, crawl under the covers and cry my heart

I haven't given this book any stars mainly because the 'voice' of Maha somewhat annoyed me especially the way she was so uncaring towards her best friend however Kirkus loved this book:

Powerful and timely. Kirkus Star review

Awards:

• South Asia Book Award 2025
• Kirkus Best Books of 2024
• Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2024
• Texas Lone Star Reading List 2024

Blurb from author webpage: When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism”. As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan. As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.

Last year I visited Gleebooks at Dulwich Hill and I spied a middle grade novel about partition BUT I did not write down the title or take a photo so ever since I have been searching for it. This is not that book and so my search continues. (All I can remember is that there were a group of kids on the cover). 

The 1947 Partition of India led to one of the largest migrations in human history, radically changing Southeast Asia’s landscape. The area that was India under nearly 90 years of British rule was divided into two. The division that came with independence from Britain created a new Muslim-majority state of Pakistan and a Hindu-majority state in India. Muslims in India were forced to leave their homes for Pakistan (which was later divided into Pakistan and Bangladesh), while Hindus in Pakistan had to leave their homes for India. Approximately 15 million people were displaced, and an estimated one million died from violence or disease. School Library Journal

Companion books that explore partition:

Lion of the Sky

The Night Diary

And these are some recommended by Ms Yingling (and others)

Here is the book that Maha does not read that she was supposed to study with her friend for their English project and the one she does (yay for the Teacher-Librarian who recommended it):

Inside out and back again

I want to feel closer to Kim, and this book is the best thing I’ve got. I also want her to stop thinking that I’m obsessed with the Partition specifically, because other historical events are also 

suddenly making me sit up and take notice. ... “I chose this book for two reasons. First, the story was similar to what my grandmother experienced in Pakistan as a kid. Being a refugee. Being alone in a new country. Worrying about war and death and all sorts of things."  ...” The second reason is my best friend, Kim.” I look straight at her. She’s staring at me with a blank face. No smile, but no anger either. 

I’ll take it. “Her family is from Vietnam, and I wanted to learn more about their

Here are some other books by Saadia Faruqi:

Author note: I hope after reading Maha’s dadi’s story you will think deeply about how history affects the present and even the future. And then, I hope you talk to your elders and ask them to tell their stories to you, so you can learn about your own heritage and what your place is in family’s history. 

Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov

Opening lines:

My father is a far-thinking man. He stands, feet firmly planted on ground, his hand over his eyes blocking the blinding sun. I stand to the left of him, stroking Belle, our gray mule. For what seems like hours, Father stares at the horizon. I can’t imagine what he sees. Not truly. I asked once: “What’re you looking at?” Without looking at me, he answered, “Dirt.” Dirt is all around. Not worth staring at, I think. Near or far, it’s all Texas soil.

And the story continues:

It feels as though Ma and I have a pact. I don’t know what our pact is, but Ma includes me in ways Father never does. She makes sweet treats, tucks me in bed, kisses my forehead, and, sometimes, lets me have a carrot for Belle. She talks to me calm, sensible. Yes, Father is a far-thinking man. Father’s life isn’t here or now. It’s out there, somewhere else, in a future time. I think I’m too close to him, too near to count.

Father works hard on the farm but while it is true he is no longer a slave, most of the profits from his cotton go to the landowner. Father cannot read but he brings home a notice from the market:

Father and Will set off on their long journey of 400 miles with their faithful mule Belle. "Belle will have to pull for eight hours a day for forty days.”

Nearly a month of travel, Father’s body is more relaxed. He still doesn’t talk much, but there’s an ease, a calm about him. The farther we get from Mr. Thompson’s farm, the more the wide-open, remote land stirs him with wonder.

Going back to the title - Will is racing because there is limited land and thousands of people are rushing to claim their share. It is also a race because Father hopes to make a new home for his wife and his own elderly father. Finally it is a race because three armed men are chasing them after a terrible altercation in one of the towns on their journey. Luckily their new friend Caesar, a former slave and soldier, was able to rescue Will during a robbery of their wagon and he has now joined them on the trail, but these three white cowboys are out for revenge. 

It is so sweet to read the way old Belle their mule loves Caesar's huge horse Midnight. 

Belle loves Midnight. Midnight loves Belle. Standing close to each other, they share water, hay. Belle nudges Midnight’s flank; Midnight rubs his chin against her. Ears flat, Belle is happy. Ears pointed, Midnight scans the surroundings, keeping them safe. No snake or coyote will surprise him. When Midnight is nearby, Belle tugs the wagon with extra energy. It’s like she’s showing off. Resting, like now, they keep close enough to touch.

If you are book talking Will's Race for Home, I suggest reading chapter 22 - the river crossing - it is a dramatic and life-threatening scene which will have your library group on the edge of their seats. (There is also a similar scene in One Big Open Sky but with a more devastating outcome).

Publisher blurb: It's 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don't get to own. So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free-if they can get to it fast enough. But the journey isn't easy-the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger. And then there's the stranger they encounter and befriend: a mysterious soldier named Caesar, whose Union emblem brings more attention-and more trouble-than any of them need. All three are propelled by the promise of something long denied to them: freedom, land ownership, and a place to call home-but is a strong will enough to get them there?

Here is a video of Colby Sharp explaining how much he loved this book. This book is about US History but I am sure readers here in Australia aged 10+ will enjoy this thrilling tale of heroism and the wild west and as a bonus this is a fairly short book which might surprise you because it is filled with action and danger. Listen to an audio sample here. You can see more books by Jewell Parker Rhodes here. 

Here is a fabulous character description from this book that you could use as a model with your older students:

Off to the right is the first Black man I’ve seen during the journey. He reminds me of a great-tailed grackle. Long legs, face. His ankle-length coat, like a bird’s tail, sweeps and gleams iridescent—purplish black. His skin is obsidian dark; his clothes duller, more ash. Even his Stetson hat is black. He leans his shoulder against one of the posts outside the Pioneer Saloon. He doesn’t seem to mind the flow of weary travelers and loud drunks passing by. His dark eyes seem to see everything. Even me!

Jewell Parker Rhodes writes this quick, slick, gripping paean to the Western genre while also tying in fantastic historical details and an overarching tale of a boy and his father bonding at last. ... (This book is) Short and sweet, exciting and touching. Fuse8 Betsy Bird SLJ

Reading this review by Betsy Bird I learned a new term "exodusters". Read more here. 

Will’s Race for Home is a powerhouse Western and coming-of-age story set during a pivotal historical period. Populated with dynamic characters who grow impressively throughout the story, this slim historical fiction title explores an under-examined period in Black history with sensitivity and a spirit of adventure. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as the protagonist navigates moral dilemmas and leaps of faith to find a home for his family. Reading Middle Grade

The short chapters make this fast-paced and eventful ride through the West an accessible and engaging read. Kirkus Star review

Companion book:

One Big Open Sky

Young Quills Award

This is the 2026 shortlist - the winners are announced in July

Readers Aged 5-8

The Boy Who Became Queen by Christina Balit (Otter-Barry Books)

Readers Aged 8-11

Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay (Barrington Stoke)

Dance of Resistance by Catherine Johnson (Barrrington Stoke)

My Family, the Enemy by Karen McCombie (Bloomsbury Education)

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson (Usborne Publishing)

The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan (Andersen Press)

Wrong Tracks by Susan Brownrigg (UCLan Publishing)

Readers Aged 11-13

Kata and Tor by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Walker Books)

The Dawn of Adonis by Phil Earle (Andersen Press)

To War with Wallace by Barbara Henderson (Luath Press Ltd)

Under a Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean (Usborne Publishing)

Under the London Sky by Anna Woltz (Rock the Boat)

Readers Aged 14+

Black Star by Kwame Alexander (Andersen Press)

Lobster Blues by Jacqueline King (Zuntold)

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai (Zephyr)

The Boy I Love by William Hussey (Andersen Press)

There could be books on this 2026 shortlist you might add to your own 'to read' list or to your school library. I have Shrapnel Boys on my pile and I spied Becoming Grace last year so I am also keen to read this one. If you haven't yet discovered the wonderful publisher Barrington Stoke take a look here (this takes you to one part of their site there is lots more to explore) - I have read so many fabulous books from this UK publisher. My most recent find was The Elixir. 

The Young Quills Award is an annual book award set up by the Historical Association to celebrate good historical fiction writing for children and young people aged 5 to 14+. 

The shortlist for the Young Quills Award is drawn up based on the reviews provided by pupils in primary and secondary schools across the UK, who are sent copies of the longlisted titles to review against the award criteria:

• Is it a ‘good read’?
• Does it have good historical content and factual information?
• Is history a proper component of the story, not just a convenient backdrop or setting?
• Does the book inspire young readers to find out more about that historical period or people?

A judging panel made up of historians, authors and literacy experts then selects the winners for each of the four age categories. The Historical Association is a registered charity set up to advance the study, teaching and enjoyment of history at all levels. As the UK subject association for history it carries out research into the state of history education; represents members’ interests to government and policy-makers; and supports the teaching of history in schools through its programme of CPD and wide range of resources, including the Primary History and Teaching History journals.

Here are some previous winners and highly commended titles that I have read:

Birdie

The Bletchley Riddle

The Wall between us

The Valley of Lost Secrets

Our Castle by the Sea

The Island at the End of Everything

I am keen to see some of the past ages 5-9 winners:

Dog Star by Megan Shepherd

"If we can't stop the rocket, maybe we can get Laika out. We can't let her go on a mission with no chance of return. She isn't like the equipment you have in that capsule. 

She's a living creature."

Nina is old to enough to begin to question her life in the Soviet Union. Her best friend, along with her friend's parents, have recently defected to the US. Nina herself is being trained to be a good Soviet citizen. Her father works for the Institute of Space Medicine. The space race is in full swing. The Russians are desperate to be first. The Americans are planning to use monkeys and mice but in Russia a small stray dog is selected and trained. 

Meanwhile we meet a street dog, later to be named Laika. She longs to become a warm dog but when she is captured, she is taken to a strange place and put into a cage. Sharing this space are two other dogs. One has already been sent into space so she explains the three tests that Laika will undergo and how, if she can pass these tests, and travel into space the reward will be a real home with children to love her.

Bookseller blurb: Based on an incredible true story, Carnegie Medal nominee and New York Times-bestselling author Megan Shepherd crafts a harrowing, propulsive girl-and-her-dog tale that will linger in your heart long after the last page. Laika is a Cold Dog, a stray pup fighting for her life on the streets of Moscow. Then, one winter night, she is plucked from her alley to become a Starflyer, a dog trained to travel into space. Distrustful of people, Laika tries to do everything she can to escape. That is, until she meets Nina. Nina is a Cold Girl, lonely and full of questions. Her best friend has moved to America in a rush, leaving Nina to face the school bullies all by herself. Plus, her father's work as a scientist in the Soviet Space Program grows more secretive by the day. When the two meet in her father's laboratory, their growing bond slowly warms the chill that has settled in each other's hearts. As the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union grows fierce, Laika and Nina uncover shocking secrets and hard truths that will test their friendship. How will they find the courage to chase their dreams all the way to the stars?

Have you ever thought about the idea of warm dogs and cold dogs. Warm dogs live with a family. They are fed, allowed to be inside and even perhaps sit on a couch and most of all they are loved, especially by children. A cold dog is a street dog. A dog that lives by scavenging and a dog that works hard to survive extremes of heat and cold. And it sure is cold on the streets of Moscow. Laika was a cold dog until the day she was captured for use in the space program.

The title comes from the third voice in we hear in this story - we hear Laika beginning when she is just surviving on the streets of Moscow; we hear Nina who is so upset about the loss of her friend and we read about her struggles to cope with the Young Pioneers; and the third voice is the actual dog star - a voice of encouragement and wisdom that only Laika can hear. 

The ending of this book is inevitably very sad - perhaps if you are recommending this book to a reader in your library you might decide to explain this. Laika was a real dog. She was sent into space from the USSR in 1957. An enormous amount of work went into preparing her for the journey, but it seems almost no plans were made for her return. No one knows when or how but Laika did perish on the voyage.

There is a strange but fascinating inclusion in this book - the book is from a US author but she has included an article dated November 27th, 1957, from our Australian Women's Weekly magazine.

Here are a couple of text quotes:

"Nina felt a rush of confidence now. She sat up straighter. 'Yes dogs. I can help my father with the dogs who will be sent into space! ... Through this, um, I can make the Motherland proud."

"In a few days Laika will travel to the cosmodrome. I wanted to do something nice for her first. One night to have a home away from the Institute. To just be a dog; to bark and play.' He knelt down, scratching Laika behind the ears. 'Can you do that for her, lapochka?"

"So many questions buzzed in her head. Their teachers taught them to respect even street dogs but didn't respect the students enough to tell them the truth. Maybe Ludmilla's family had left because they didn't feel safe in a country where information was so often kept secret. Now, like Ludmilla, would Laika disappear forever too?"

You can hear Megan Shepherd talking about her book here. Dog Star was published in 2023 but I picked up my copy in a bookshop earlier this year. 

The narrative alternates between Nina’s and Laika’s points of view; Laika’s perspective is anthropomorphized with inner monologue as well as dialogue between dogs, and this works to the story’s advantage in arousing sympathy for the small animal who was sacrificed for science. A poignant story that accessibly illuminates a milestone in space exploration history. Kirkus

Read more about animal astronauts here. Companion books:

I previously read Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd:

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

The Elixir by Lindsay Galvin illustrated by Kristina Kister

Ann has inherited the gift of healing from her late grandmother. She works with her parents, brother and sister in the family apothecary.

"The rest of my family followed recipes exactly when they made our normal tinctures, infusions and syrups. It was an open secret that I didn't follow a recipe. My parents only let me get away with it because my tinctures worked so well. My family also knew I scratched a spiral mark into the base of the glass bottles containing my special tinctures. They didn't know it was the sign my grandmother had taught me and that it helped my medicines work."

You have probably noticed some arcane words in this quote - tinctures, infusions and syrups. The year is 1665 and so, yes, this a story set in the past but wait a minute do you know what was happening at that time - the witch trials. Now the stage is set - Ann has gifts but others will be suspicious. There are witch hunters roaming the countryside. Ann and her siblings have been left in charge of the shop because her parents have been called away. To help make ends meet a border has moved into the attic room - and very strangely this young man is Isaac Newton. These are also the times of the plague. If Ann is able to heal the townsfolk will she be accused of witchcraft and can she survive the drowning trial?

Ann forms an alliance with Isaac- and together they strive to make a very special elixir - the elixir of life. Then her brother is in a terrible accident and Ann, without permission, administers a few drops of the mixture. Yes, her brother is healed. Isaac is furious and so in a moment of recklessness Ann grabs the elixir and drinks it. What will be the consequences?

Here are a few text quotes:

"Grandmother taught me that grinding herbs on a full moon, then letting them soak in the moonlight would make powerful extracts. ... I started with Vervain. Its colour was a rich chestnut brown, excellent for restoring strength and vitality. Next, I bruised some Horsetail and Yarrow, used in cases of bleeding. These were fluffy shades of blue and grey."

"I described how when I touched people, I saw their colours in my mind. When I knew the colours of my customers, I could recognise when a hue was missing and find the mixture to restore them. I explained how ingredients that were matched to a person's colour nearly always strengthened them."

This book has 110 pages so it is a quick one to read but it is also an absolute page turner. 

This is a truly gripping story where the tension is palpable as danger builds and impossible choices are made. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns with an ending that took me completely by surprise. A masterful blending of history, science and fantasy that left me utterly captivated – and astounded! The illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the time period and the emotion of the story perfectly. An enthralling page-turner that captures the indomitable spirit of a young girl who uses her innate abilities to help others and stand against hatred and prejudice. Book Craic

Lindsay Galvin packs lots of action into this short, ultra-readable novel, as Ann finds herself in danger after danger, while working to do as much good as possible. The final twist in the tale is particularly satisfying and this atmospheric, immersive story will keep readers gripped from beginning to end while the presence of Isaac Newton is an added treat. Love Reading 4Kids

Bookseller blurb: With a witchfinder skulking about town, gifted healer Ann and a young Isaac Newton must be careful not to draw too much attention in this high-stakes story from Lindsay Galvin. Will the discovery of the Elixir of Life lead to a death sentence for a talented young healer? Ann Storer has inherited her grandmother's mysterious gift of healing, which she shares through the special tinctures she dispenses in her family's apothecary shop. When she combines her talents with the genius of a young Isaac Newton, recently arrived to board above the shop, the two create an incredible elixir with seemingly unlimited powers. But seventeenth-century England is a dangerous place to display any special abilities, and Ann must hide all evidence when witchfinder Abel Geach arrives in town. So when the plague starts to run rife and those she loves are in danger, will Ann risk everything to help them?

When I see a Barrington Stoke title in a bookshop I always pick it up and read the blurb. I wonder why our stores here in Australia don't make a bigger deal of this series - they only seem to stock one or two at any one time. I found this one in a Newsagent in Deniliquin - they added it to their children's book section (which is terrific by the way) in November last year. If you don't have any books from this series click the label on this post to see other titles. I also recognised the art on the cover of this book by Kristina Kister (The Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deb Abela).

I have also read these historical fiction books by Lindsay Galvin:

The Great Phoenix of London

My friend the Octopus

And The Elixir reminded me of these two books:

I love all the different cover of Tuck Everlasting

I have recently discovered this series and this title would be a terrific follow on from The Elixir

I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 by Lauren Tarshis

Ray and his best friend Dolly live in Texas in the area called the Panhandle. 

As the cover says the year is 1935 which means America (and other places in the world) are in the grip of the Great Depression. In this small town, businesses are closing and Ray's mum and dad are struggling on their farm with money issues and with a long running drought. In this area and other parts of the US the soil survived over the centuries because there were huge areas of native grasses which kept it locked down but with the arrival of farms and the growing of wheat the grasses are now all gone setting up the perfect conditions for huge and destructive dust storms. 

This story is told by dates and it begins April 14th 1935 then switches back to March 30th. You will feel as though you are living through each dust storm because the descriptions are so intense:

"The wind wacked him down. Ray gasped as dirt and dust rushed into his nose and mouth, clawed his eyes. He flipped over, curling himself into a tight ball. But it did no good. Powerful waves of dirt and dust crashed into him. He couldn't see. He couldn't breathe. He was drowning ... in dust."

"It raged through the morning - brutal winds, whirling dust and dirt, and darkness. As usual Ma and Pa and Ray did their best to seal up the house with sheets and rags. But dust still filled the air and poured down on their heads with every gust of wind."

It was another whole day before the wind died down and the dust stopped swirling. ... A knee-high pile of dust blocked the doorway. ... Their truck was buried up to the windshield. It was going to be a long day of cleaning up."

Plot summary: It is 1935, and Ray and Dolly, best friends, live in a small farming town in the Texas Panhandle. Things had been fine until a drought began. Now, people are losing farms and small businesses to the bank. Many people leave town. Matthew, a nice older boy at school, rides the rails to California to get work. The dust storms are more frequent and severe, and they damage property and people’s health as well. Dolly’s little brother, Skippy, ends up in the hospital with dust pneumonia. The doctors say he can’t stay in Texas any longer, so Dolly’s family is moving away. Ray finds out his parents owe money to the bank, and they might lose the farm. Ray feels like his world is falling apart.

See Lauren Tarshis reading an extract here. 

Late last year I read The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron Illustrated by Matt Phelan which is set during the depression and on the Texas Panhandle. That's where I read about these horrible and life-threatening dust storms that ravaged parts of the US in the 1930s. When I saw this book from the I survived series in the library where I volunteer I knew it would be a terrific follow-up. 

The Higher Power of Lucky

The "I survived series" are short historical novels and they are  a perfect way to introduce young readers aged 9+ to major events in history BUT my big advice is don't read the end notes before you read the fictionalised version. I didn't know much about the dust bowl of 1935 so I read the notes first. Sadly this meant as I read this Lauren Tarshis story I found myself ticking off a mental checklist of all the things she had mentioned in her notes. The story really held my attention but I think I would have found it more gripping and perhaps it might have felt less simplified if I did not have the 'facts' rolling around in my head. I will read of the I survived books and next time I won't read the historical information until the end. 

Kirkus explains this in their review of the Titanic book from this series: The plot involves too many convenient coincidences, but the fast pace and intrinsically fascinating disaster story will keep readers turning the pages ...

Having said wait to read the back notes I was very impressed to read the depth of research by Lauren Tarshis and the way, in the case of this book, she took the time to visit a small town in Texas, to talk to the librarian, the historical society and one resident who lived through these times. 

The story of Ray and Dolly is one that young readers will relate to and sympathize with. It is a great way for kids to learn about the history of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Like all the I Survived books, this one is short, well-written, and compelling. Chicago Book Review 5 Stars

The best part of the I Survived books are the historical back matter, which includes period photos and much discussion of a variety of topics. I would have avidly saved my allowance to purchase these titles in elementary school! Ms Yingling (she has a good plot summary too)

I am very very late coming to the series "I survived" and I also now need to read the graphic novels from this series too.  There are over 28 titles published so far all by Lauren Tarshis. The series began in 2010 with I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 and I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912. I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 is a new title published in 2025. I plan to find I Survived the Black Death, 1348 to read next. 

About the series:

The I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis presents historical fiction stories focused on children placed in life-threatening events. Each book centers on a different disaster, such as the Titanic sinking, Hurricane Katrina, or the American Revolution. The main conflict involves survival under extreme conditions, often blending factual events with fictional characters. The structure emphasizes action, resilience, and decision-making in crisis situations.

The I Survived series books in order are not required, as each story is fully self-contained with its own beginning, conflict, and resolution. There is no overarching storyline or shared character development across the books. Each installment introduces a new protagonist and historical setting without relying on previous entries. Reading out of order does not affect understanding or enjoyment.

The tone is fast-paced and suspenseful, designed to engage younger readers while presenting serious events. Themes include survival, courage, resilience, and the impact of historical events on ordinary people. Many stories highlight quick thinking and emotional strength in dangerous situations. The writing balances tension with accessibility.

Here are some of the Graphic Novels from this series. I watched The Contoured librarian today and she said the readers in her library rate these very highly. Colby Sharp often mentions these books too. 

When Lightning Struck by Betsy R Rosenthal

James has lost his dad - he was killed by a lightning strike. His mum is in jail for bootlegging and she is also suffering from depression. James lives with his grandfather (Pappy) and until recently with his beloved grandmother (Abuela) but six months ago she died. Abuela was a town healer. Pappy runs the local diner and he makes delicious food for the people in the town. I loved the way James tucks into pie and hamburgers. 

There is a new kid who has moved to Odessa, Texas. He is from Ukraine and he has very little English. He is older than the kids in the class and so he is taller which is helpful for James because he is regularly tormented by a bully named Virgil and now Paul is his friend so her has someone on his side when the bullies attack. Paul's family seem very different to James. They speak a strange language (he later discovers this is Hebrew) and they observe unfamiliar customs which often include special rituals and very delicious food. They don't go to the local Christian church. 

Just before she died Abuela gave James an amulet which has a strange symbol on one side and foreign writing on the back. The Pappy shows James the family bible and it seems Abuela has a connection that goes back to 1492 when Jewish people were expelled from Spain. You can read about that in this picture book:

The Key from Spain

"Things were starting to get a little less muddy. Between the charm and the Bible with my name in it and the Hebrew writing, I felt like Abuela was sending me a message from the grave, trying to tell me that I was somebody different than I'd thought I was. And I go to wondering, too, if this news about my family's past could have something to do with me finding my purpose."

"I think your Texas Odessa is named after my Odessa because railroad workers here said this place reminded them of their home in Ukraine. ... Same name but better place for our family that Ukraine, Odessa ..."

Readers aged 10+ might gain a little more understanding about Jewish culture and the history of their persecution through this story. Paul talks about the terror his family experienced in Ukraine - a situation which has been repeated today with the Russian army. 

Our famous children's bookshop The Little Bookroom has reopened in a different location in Melbourne and I was there on their first day (not their official opening which was held two weeks later). The new owner filled several shelves with books from the previous store and marked them at 90% off the retail price and so that is how I came to find When Lightning Struck. This book was published in 2022. The ebook version is available. 

The setting for this book is Texas in 1928 but apart from references to prohibition, the Klu Klutx Klan and a few sporting heroes the parts of the story set in Texas didn't feel historical enough for me.

Here is list of other books by Betsy R Rosenthal (and there is a link to teachers notes from When Lightning Struck).

Bookseller blurb: It's 1928 in Odessa, Texas, and eleven-year-old James is struggling to find his purpose in life and to uncover a family secret. With his father struck dead by lightning and his mother in jail, he is taken in by his grandparents. Treated as a pariah at school, James is taunted as being cursed by his family's bad luck. But he finds a friend in Paul, a Russian immigrant, who is also treated as an outcast, and together, they battle the school bully. But James's life is turned upside-down yet again when he uncovers a family secret involving his beloved grandmother. His discovery leads him to find the sense of purpose he's been seeking.

The Sunbird by Sara Haddad illustrated by Baraa Awoor

Begin with this text quote:

"Before they left, Nabila went to the olive grove one last time. She wandered among the trees that were never just trees. They fed her, sheltered her, kept her company. She loved to climb them so much that, in the warmer months, Nabila spent more time above the ground than on it. She even had a job to climb to the very top of the olive trees and pick the best olives, the sweetest fruit. The people in the village called her the sunbird."

Now you also need to know that the Palestine sunbird is the national bird of Palestine. It is a symbol of  beauty, resilience and freedom. These THREE words are very important.

Now go back to the quote - Who is Nabila? Why are they leaving? Where does she live? Are her family with her? Where will she go? Are there no olive trees in the new place? Will she be safe? Will she be happy?

How would you feel if all you had of your home was the front door key? 

 I just had to show you a Palestine Sunbird and how spectacular they look

This book is told in three parts - we begin in Australia in October 2025. People are gathering for a protest march just as they have every week for the last two years. Then the time shifts back to December 1947 as Nabila recounts the story of her childhood and her Nakba story. In the final chapter the focus switches back to that first day in 2025 where Nabila is sharing her story with her new young friend Zane. I was so moved when Nabila, now aged in her 80s, gives Zane that small stone she picked up near her home on that terrible day when the bombs began to fall.

1947 "As she squatted to pick up a stone to throw into the water, she heard it and felt it and saw it all at once, the first of the bombs."

2025 "This stone is for you. Take care of it. Every day, hold it between your fingers, raise it to your nose, close your eyes and breathe in deep. If you clear your mind and concentrate hard, you will smell the autumn rains."

From the cover and title you might think this is a simple book for a young reader but reading this book you will discover it is so much more. This is one of those important books that I would love to put into the hands of readers aged 10+ as a way to give a small understanding of the history of Palestine as told through the eyes of a young child. Older readers will want to discover more about UN Resolution 181 and Resolution 194. Huge thanks to UQP for my advance reader copy of The Sunbird. I especially appreciated the Author's Notes and glossary. This book will be released on 3rd February 2025. Gleebooks Kids will hold a launch event on 7th February.

The Sunbird (my copy) is an adaption of an adult novel which was published in 2024. The adult version is 128 pages so it is a slim novel - the young reader version has 73 pages. Hopefully this book will be shared with lots of readers but I also hope it 'lands' in the right section of a bookstore - with the middle grade novels and not shelved with very junior beginning chapter books. Booksellers need to read this book both because it is important and then because they can then match it with the 'right' reader. Similarly if you are in a school library make sure you read this book - it is fabulous and most certainly deserves your attention. There is something truly powerful about reading a book set during a terrible world event which is told through the eyes of a child. 

Adapted for young readers from her critically acclaimed adult novel, Sara Haddad's middle-grade story about a child's experience of the Nakba is a lyrical ode to sovereignty, freedom and homecoming.⁠ How could a new country be put inside a country that was already there? Where would the new country go? Where did it come from? What would happen to the people who were already there?⁠ It’s 1948 and Nabila Yasmeen lives a happy life in her village in Palestine. She plays in the hills with her friend Khalil and climbs high in the olive trees to pick the sweetest fruit. But when bombs start falling, Nabila and her family are forced to leave. Where will they go?⁠ Embellished with beautiful line illustrations by renowned Palestinian artist Baraa Awoor, 'The Sunbird' is the poignant story of a little girl who just wants to go home.⁠ Instagram

Publisher blurb: It’s 1948 and Nabila Yasmeen lives a happy life in her village in Palestine. She plays in the hills with her friend Khalil and climbs high in the olive trees to pick the sweetest fruit. But when bombs start falling, Nabila and her family are forced to leave. Where will they go?

Here is the original adult edition:

The adult book The Sunbird was originally self-published and then 'discovered' by UQP

Read more here and here is a review and there are more details here too.

The Sunbird discusses themes of migration, post-colonial dispossession 

and displacement, truth-telling, protest, community, identity, belonging and culture.

I had not heard of the Palestinian artist Baraa Awoor. I really like the cover of The Sunbird but I do hope this book, as I have said, reaches older readers even though the cover gives the impression of a book for a younger audience and the publisher suggests 8+. I think this book will better suit readers aged 10+. The small black and white drawings scattered throughout the book are also perfect.

You can read an extract from The Sunbird (young readers edition) here

Baraa Awoor is a self-taught, award-winning illustrator from Gaza, Palestine, currently based in Cairo and holding a UAE Golden Residency. With a background in education and years of artistic practice, she brings stories to life through acrylics, oil pastels, colored pencils, and mixed media and collage. Her work has been exhibited internationally, with recognition at prestigious events such as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Sharjah Reading Festival, and exhibitions in Geneva. Baraa has led international workshops on illustrating children’s books in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, sharing her creative process with young artists. Her books have been translated into several languages, including Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Turkish, and English. Mama's Scent is her first book to be published in the United States. Simon and Schuster

Companion books:

Oranges in no Man's Land

The Kites are Flying

The Key from Spain

I plan to look for these books - two picture books and one YA novel which link with The Sunbird.

These Olive Trees Kirkus Review; Homeland Kirkus Review

Where the Streets had a name Kirkus Review