Zarina Divided: Interview with Reem Faruqi
Zarina Divided, Cover Image
Padma Venkatraman:
Reem, it’s a pleasure to have you back on our blog and how wonderful you have another novel in verse to add to your prolific list. Please would you summarize ZARINA DIVIDED in your own words?
REEM FARUQI:
Thank you Padma! I love your stories.
ZARINA DIVIDED is a book that’s inspired by the experiences of my grandmother Zarina during Partition when India was torn apart into two countries in 1947, in Pakistan and India. It was a time of major upheaval, distress, and many lives were lost. It’s a story about kindness and blossoming amidst loss and trauma.
My grandmother Zarina survived the tumultuous journey from Poona, India, to Karachi, Pakistan. Once she finally reached Karachi, she wanted to go to a British boarding school in the mountains of Murree, Pakistan. Even though she faced much resistance from her mother about leaving, she still chose to go. ZARINA DIVIDED is a story of advocating for oneself, of taking chances, and finding belonging in a new home.
Padma Venkatraman:
What a strong person your grandmother must have been. It’s wonderful that she is the inspiration behind your story. Speaking of inspiration, I don't think I've ever asked you what inspires you to use the novel in verse form...
REEM FARUQI:
Verse is a format that comes naturally to me. It's lovely, lyrical, and packs an emotional punch. Wordy prose intimidates me, but give me a novel of verse, and my mind breathes. I hope and pray I get to read and write many beautiful novels in verse. I also love how verse can attract even the most reluctant of readers, and there is a feeling of accomplishment in finishing a novel in verse and giving it a hug at the end.
Padma Venkatraman:
Indeed, it is wonderful that verse novels attract reluctant readers! Do you have any activities in mind that the readers of this post might enjoy exploring - or that classroom teachers could share with their students?
REEM FARUQI
Actually, I’m happy to share 2 activities!
Language Arts Activity: Could you write your own poem (it doesn’t need to rhyme and there are no rules!) using as few words as possible? For each line you use, put only one word or letter on one line. You can describe a thing (i.e. apricots) or an emotion (i.e. fear) - as in these excerpts from my novel:
(From Zarina Divided; used with the author’s permission)
(Excerpt from Zarina Divided, used with the author’s permission)
Social Studies Activity:
Can you make your own map of a journey you have taken and share the mode of transportation you took? See Zarina’s map below for inspiration! Make sure to add the stops that you took.
Image credit: Reem Faruqi
Padma Venkatraman:
Those are such great activities, Reem! Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing! One last question - did your grandmother read your book and what were her thoughts?
REEM FARUQI:
Yes! She has read one half and said it was excellent! So I'm hoping she loves the second half as well. Below is a photo of my grandmother Zarina reading ZARINA DIVIDED and an old photo of her ready to go to boarding school.
Padma Venkatraman:
How very special to be able to get a peek into your family album. Thanks for taking the time to share all this with us! I’m sure your grandmother will love every word of your book!
REEM FARUQI BIO:
Reem Faruqi is the award-winning children’s book author of “Lailah’s Lunchbox,” a book based on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She’s also the author of “Amira’s Picture Day,” “I Can Help,” “Milloo’s Mind,” “Anisa’s International Day,” and four middle grade novels in verse, “Unsettled,” “Golden Girl,” “Call Me Adnan,” and “Zarina Divided” many of which received starred reviews. After surviving Atlanta traffic and the school drop off, Reem spends her days trying to write, but instead gets distracted easily by her camera and buttery sunlight. Reem Faruqi lives in Atlanta with her husband and four daughters. You can find her at www.ReemFaruqi.com or on Instagram or Substack.
Link to book:
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/zarina-divided-reem-faruqi?variant=43092938784802
Padma Venkatraman is the author of The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Island's End and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have sold over ¼ million copies, received over 20 starred reviews, and won numerous awards: Walter Dean Myers Award, South Asia Book Award, Golden Kite, ALA Notable etc. Her poetry has appeared in Poetry Magazine and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. “An exquisite novel in verse by one of my favorite poets,” says Newbery honor winner, Margarita Engle, about Padma’s upcoming novel, Safe Harbor, which School Library Journal called a “must read” in a starred review. Inspired by Padma’s doctorate in oceanography, Safe Harbor features a girl who rescues a stranded seal.When she’s not writing, Padma loves teaching and sharing her love for reading, writing and science. Visit Padma’s website to download free teacher and writer resources (www.padmavenkatraman.com) and arrange an event via her speaking agency, The Author Village (https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/padma-venkatraman/).
