Lion of the Sky

Starred review from February 26, 2024
Drawing from family history, Hemnani delivers a wrenching historical verse debut that traces the eagerly anticipated end of British rule in India and the subsequent conflicts between Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh populations during the 1947 Partition, which forced millions to relocate. In his hometown of Sindh, 12-year-old Hindu Raj flies “through the fields.../ of wildflowers and birdsong,” guiding his kite “in the endless blue,/ free and wild/ as it/ fights/ and/ snaps.” Raj’s carefree frolicking disappoints his father Baba, who favors Raj’s sister Maya and compares him to his brother Vijay. Acceptance comes from Raj’s Muslim best friend Iqbal. When the Partition begins, violence erupts across India, but Baba hopes that “the madness/ won’t spread to us.” Yet Raj watches powerless as Iqbal’s home is burned (“When he sees me.../ his eyes never looked/ so cold”) and Raj and his family are forced to flee to Bombay, where they face myriad injustices as religious refugees. Raj experiences agonizing losses throughout, which are rendered in Hemnani’s aching verse. Compelling stakes ratchet up the tension in this illuminating and harrowing story about displacement, grief, and hope. Ages 8–12.

April 1, 2024
A historical novel in verse that glides smoothly and rises with hope. Set in 1947 during the tumultuous days of the Partition, this is the story of 12-year-old Raj, a Hindu boy who loves flying kites with Nana, his grandfather, and Iqbal, his Muslim best friend. But Raj's world is soon fractured by a line drawn on a map. Readers are immersed in rich descriptions of food as Amma prepares kaju mithai, fragrant with cashews and cardamom, and measures spices for sweet mango pickle. The boys cement their friendship with a Diwali treat of almond and pistachio varo; at Eid al-Fitr, they share a bowl of sheer khurma. Food evokes deeper introspection about home in the face of the losses that keep piling up and serves as a reminder that joy is quadrupled when shared. The tension rises while politically aware Raj struggles to make sense of the changes around him, and the story moves from Hyderabad in Sindh to Bombay. The difficulties are undercut with glimmers of optimism and humanity, and family and friendship form the backbone of the story, which opens with Raj's exhilaration about kites--lions in the sky--and the upcoming Kite Festival. Ultimately this is a tale about being lion-hearted, soaring after falling many times, and still reaching for the sky. It's also about lines that divide, that cut across hearts and countries, and that are seared into memories. An exquisite, memorable story about new beginnings and the quest to belong. (author's note, glossary) (Verse historical fiction. 9-13)

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May 1, 2024

Gr 5 Up-Raj's name literally means king, but he isn't the king of anything; not like his big brother Vijay who is king of math, or his little sister Maya who is queen of getting what she wants. Instead, Raj finds himself sneaking into the kitchen to watch his amma cook, playing with his Muslim best friend Iqbal, and trying to stay out of trouble at school for not understanding math. His dream is to become the King of Kites during the Kite Festival and finally hear his Baba say, "Dado sutho, well done!" But when the independence of India brings so much more trouble and pain than Raj could have ever imagined, he finds himself lost, confused, and wondering if he will ever be happy again. Set in 1947 when India gained independence from the UK and the partitioning led to the splitting of one country into India and Pakistan, this novel in verse tells the familiar yet unique story of a young boy trying to find his place in the world, as the world around him erupts into chaos. A culturally rich reading experience that is heartbreaking and inspiring, this will have readers crying at the loss of Raj's innocence and cheering for him as he takes on bullies and fights social norms to support his family. An author's note with explanations about India's independence and the Partition are included, as well as a glossary of the many terms and languages featured throughout. VERDICT A fantastic addition to any collection, a much-needed reminder that, "We don't need your kind and my kind ...only kindness."-Emily Beasley

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2024
Grades 4-6 On the eve of India's Independence Day, in 1947, middle child Raj longs for his Baba's approval and anxiously awaits Sindh's annual Kite Festival to prove his skills. When the community is cleaved almost overnight by Partition, with Sindh declared part of Pakistan, Hindu Raj is separated from his Muslim best friend, Iqbal, and beloved Nana as Raj's family flees for Bombay. After suffering an unimaginable loss en route, Raj adjusts slowly to their new life, wins his father's favor, and, after failing to intervene when witnessing several violent confrontations, shows bravery against a bully. Organized into eight parts reflecting a kite's flight, ("gliding" or "spiraling"), this detail-oriented and emotional middle-grade novel in verse may challenge readers with its extensive use of Sindhi terms and phrases in early sections, but it includes a glossary as well as a note that indicates the debut is based largely on the author's family's experience during Partition. With its hopeful if unsettled ending, this is a lofty companion to Veera Hiranandani's The Night Diary (2018).

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