Today, September 13th, is publication day for THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN, by Shirin Shamsi, illustrated by Tarun Lak, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon and Schuster. Shirin is represented by Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Natch Literary Agency.

Commemorating & memorializing the 75th anniversary of the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, this harrowing yet gentle introduction to history is a moving testament to the strength, courage and perseverance of the over 10 million refugees displaced by the largest forced migration in recorded history.

Shirin Shamsi kindly shared her path to publication with me, and why she wrote this particular story.

I’m thrilled that my picture book, THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN, will be released on September 13th, 2022.

It has been a long journey to publication, one that has taken many twists and turns, and I am so grateful to see it reaching children’s hands. 

It all began when my children were young. I decided I wanted to write stories for them. I wanted them to know their family history, heritage, and faith. I wanted them to be seen and represented in books they read.

 I always knew I had to write this particular story, for it is my mother’s story, based on her personal experience of the Partition. However, each time I approached it, my heart sank. I felt burdened by the weight of sadness it carried.  I would work on it, then put it aside, deciding to revisit it later.

A couple of years ago, I took a writing class. I decided it was time to write this story. I wrote it and submitted a pitch- which earned a golden ticket. I realized that this story was ready for the world.

In the spring of 2020 Twitter’s DVPit came around. This was in the early days of lockdown at the start of the pandemic. I decided I had nothing to lose, so I submitted the pitch of this story. 

The following day, I was stunned to find there were 7 ‘likes’ from agents and editors. I immediately sat down to send off my manuscript.

I am still so amazed when I think of all the blessings that have come through this particular story –including representation by my wonderful agent, Saba Sulaiman.

I visited my mother in England last month and took the proofs of my book. I can’t fully express my feeling of the moment my mother held and read my book. It was a wonderful moment. 

 This is such an important story to me. I truly hope it resonates with readers and inspires empathy, understanding. I also hope that it inspires an interest in history.

Thank you Shirin! It is incredible that this book is based on your mother’s own story, and i am so glad to see it out in the world.

Inspired by her own family’s history, Shirin Shamsi covers a heartbreaking and important story of independence, decolonization, and sectarian violence that has its roots in the past and which still affects our present. The Moon from Dehradun scales the aftermath of England’s Partition of India and Pakistan down to the personal story of one girl and the doll she leaves behind.

“Azra knows that wherever she goes, her doll Gurya will follow. Even if it’s on a train that will take her far away from the house her family has lived in for generations. Even if there is a new flag flying in Dehradun, and no place left in it for Azra. At least she will be taking a piece of home with her.

But when Abba comes home and says they must leave right now, Gurya gets left behind in the scramble. Will Azra be strong enough to face the long journey alone? And what will happen to Gurya, now hundreds of miles behind them?“

THe moon from dehradun, Shirin shamsi & tarun lak

Order THE MOON FROM DEHRADUN TODAY today, from any independent bookseller or online bookstore.