The Line They Drew Through Us

About this book

Born miles apart, and into different religions, Jahan, Ravi and Lakshmi are best friends and, by the age of 12, have been meeting for years in the village that has no name and does not appear on any maps. But the British, who have effectively ruled India for centuries, are preparing to leave and intend to divide the country according to religion. 

As protests and violence increase in the big cities, the village is an oasis of calm where Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs live together peacefully. But can the peace and friendship survive a cruel and unwelcome partition? An accessible, humanitarian perspective on the Partition of India seen through the experiences of three children and their families. 

The politics of a complex period in colonial history are put into simple terms that will give young readers a clear idea of what happened when the British suddenly left India in 1947. Without diving too deeply into distressing detail, the aftermath of Partition is laid bare. And we are left in no doubt that it brought out both the worst and the best in people of all faiths; amidst the hatred and killing, there was also great kindness.