Author of ‘The Night Diary’ inspired by Madeleine’s advice

Dear Ones,

Take it from this bibliophile/ school librarian: Veera Hiranandani’s book, The Night Diary, needs to be one of your next-reads.

This 2019 Newbery Honor Award winning book is set during a tumultuous time in India’s history, told through letters written by

a girl to her deceased mother. I found it powerful and moving, as did plenty of other readers. Case in point: The Night Diary was a 2018 best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, the Chicago Public Library, and others.

In short, people are talking about it.

We’re excited to welcome Veera to the first Walking on Water Conference this fall in New York, to hear her perspective during the panel called, “Glorious Impossibles: Writing About Faith for Younger Readers.” Let’s get to know her a bit before then!

What excites you about the Madeleine L’Engle Conference?
I have always been an admirer of Madeleine L’Engle’s work since I was a child. I also tend to write about characters who wrestle with their own interfaith identities as I have in my personal life.

Do you have a Madeleine story/quote/moment that has inspired you?
I relate to this particular quote deeply, especially when writing The Night Diary, which is based on the complex and difficult topic of the 1947 Partition of India: “You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”

In what ways does a legacy like Madeleine’s inspire the way you create art for a new generation?
I think she was a risk-taker and a very versatile writer. She gave herself the freedom to experiment and create from a place way outside the box. I hope I can find the courage to do the same over the years.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my next middle-grade novel called The Sound of Summer coming out in Summer 2020.

Where can we learn more about your work? 
On my website, www.veerahiranandani.com; and in an interview done on TheHindu.com.

Thanks, Veera!

Find out more about the conference here. Until then, head to your local indie bookseller or library to grab a copy of The Night Diary (so we can talk about it in November!).

Read on,

~Erin F. Wasinger, for MadeleineLEngle.com.