The Moon from Dehradun: A Story of Partition
By Shirin Shamsi
The Story
A young girl must flee her family's home in Dehradun during the Partition of India, leaving behind her beloved doll Gurya in the rush to catch a train to safety.
Why It's Special
For families ready to talk about history through one child's eyes, this book turns an enormous, difficult event into something small enough for a child to hold onto — a doll, a train, a home left behind.
- Big idea: Home isn't only a place — it's carried in the people and small treasured things we hold onto, even when everything else is taken away.
- Vibes: Tender, lyrical, and quietly heartbreaking, with moments of hope threaded through loss.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are curious about family history and where they come from
- are learning about big historical events through personal stories
- respond well to stories that take real feelings seriously
- love a favorite toy or comfort object of their own
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Azra could have done when she realized Gurya was left behind?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Azra felt leaving the only home she'd ever known?
- Real-life connection: Is there a toy or object you would never want to leave behind?
- History & imagination: What do you think it would be like to suddenly have to leave your house and never go back?
- Courage: What does it mean to be strong even when you're scared, like Azra on her journey?
