Lion of the Sky
Ritu Hemnani
Balzer + Bray
Published May 7, 2024
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About Lion of the Sky
A historical novel in verse about a boy and his family who are forced to flee their home and become refugees after the British Partition of India.
Twelve-year-old Raj is happiest flying kites with his best friend, Iqbal. As their kites soar, Raj feels free, like his beloved India soon will be, and he can’t wait to celebrate their independence.
But when a British lawyer draws a line across a map, splitting India in two, Raj is thrust into a fractured world. With Partition declared, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim families are torn apart—and Raj’s Hindu and Iqbal’s Muslim families are among them.
Forced to flee and become refugees, Raj’s family is left to start over in a new country. After suffering devastating losses, Raj must summon the courage to survive the brutal upheaval of both his country and his heart.
Inspired by the author’s true family history.
My Review
When I read the first few pages or chapters of this book, it gave me some The Kite Runner vibes. Obviously, since this is a middle grade story, it has a completely different arc, but there was something about flying a kite with one’s best friend that took me back to my first time reading TKR in a good way.
I love that those opening scenes show Raj and Iqbal’s friendship despite the differences in their families’ beliefs and dietary practices. You could really feel how deeply connected those two boys were.
And then the British Partition occurs, and everything changes. Raj views the tumult through a child’s gaze, and sometimes the things he does to try to preserve the relationships he cares about inadvertently make things worse. That part was so heartbreaking to read.
The family moves in with relatives, and sharing space is challenging. The family grieves for everything they’ve lost. Raj’s dad and brother look for work, but it’s Raj who discovers a new path forward for his family and a new opportunity for his dad to see and appreciate him for who he is.
While the story has some dark moments, as the Partition turns neighbors against neighbors, it also has beautiful, poignant moments about the power of resilience and daring to be different. Raj, who at first seems like such a gentle character that one worries he’ll be crushed, shows the greatest inner strength and adaptability. The experience of watching him blossom and grow in confidence makes reading this book such a triumph.
Readers who enjoy novels in verse and historical fiction set outside the United States will not want to miss this one.
Content Notes for Lion of the Sky
Recommended for Ages 9 to 13.
Representation
Raj and his family are Indian and Hindu. Raj’s best friend and his family are Muslims.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content
The story hints at a romance between Raj’s older brother and a girl.
Spiritual Content
References to Hindu and Muslim beliefs, practices, and holidays.
Violent Content
Bullying. Islamophobia. Prejudice against Hindu and Sikh people. Tensions build between the different faith communities until violence breaks out, sometimes unexpectedly. In one scene, the description implies that someone kills a man tasked with protecting Raj’s family.
Drug Content
Raj’s dad sometimes drinks whiskey and smokes hookah.
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