By Hiba Noor Khan (author)
"A moment in history that changed lives for ever, seen through the eyes of three young children."
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April 2025 Book of the Month
Shortlisted for the Carnegie and now the UKLA Book Award with her debut novel Safiyya’s War , Hiba Noor Khan has written another masterclass in historical fiction, this time shining an unflinching and evocative light on a very dark period of history for the Indian subcontinent.
The Partition in 1947 is insufficiently studied or known about and yet it is very much a part of family history for so many in our society and often the reason why families are here at all. With her superb ability to create indelible and credible child characters, that live with you long after you close the book, she enables us not just to learn about what happened in that turbulent time, but to really feel the emotional impact.
Narrated through the third person voices of Lakshmi, Jahan and Ravi, all born on the same day in miraculous circumstances and all linked to a remote village nestled under an ancient banyan tree. Lakshmi would remain there, and the boys returned frequently, returning for a family wedding as the book opens.
The lyrical descriptions of their life and the close-knit community, where Muslim, Hindu and Sikh co-existed in peace and harmony and all the diverse traditions were celebrated, act as the perfect counterpoint to the horror yet to come. As Lakshmi gets her dearest wish, joining the boys in Lahore to attend school, the political crisis gathers pace and the children become involved in trying to prevent terrorism, but eventually they will become separated as each family struggles to find safety across the arbitrary borders. Yet ultimately the strength of their bond keeps hope alive that they will be reunited. A hope for peace, reconciliation and healing for the whole country.
Thought provoking, compelling storytelling, with maps and glossaries to aid understanding, this emotionally charged story is an absolute must read.
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.
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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
'The Line They Drew Through Us is nothing short of a masterpiece! I adored the wonderful characters and lyrical storytelling - this is a special book that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page' - Radiya Hafiza
Hiba Noor Khan is an England-based writer and activist, deeply engaged with issues in development, immigration and intercultural understanding. Her academic background is in Physics and Engineering and she completed postgraduate study in 2015 at the University of Oxford. Since then she has worked as a Refugee Advocacy Worker for The Children's Society, a Physics teacher and TV presenter. She also contributed to policy research carried out by the Government's Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life. Hiba has worked on various sustainable development projects in rural Tanzania, and delivered aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey. Hiba is studying an MA at SOAS.
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Line They Drew Through Us and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Line They Drew Through Us features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Historical Fiction, Romance / Relationship Stories, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Prejudice and intolerance, Children’s / Teenage social topics: War and conflict issues, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Line They Drew Through Us was written by Hiba Noor Khan and published by Andersen Press an imprint of Andersen Press Ltd
The Line They Drew Through Us has 292 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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