Children of the Hidden Land

MY THOUGHTS

Rarely does a YA novel come along that makes even an adult eager to research and curious to know more about the central theme.  Children of the Hidden Land, written by Mandira Shah, had me spellbound, then sent me into a dizzying abyss about how little I knew of my own country. 

Fifteen-year-old April lives in Imphal and is all set to launch a massive investigation of her own to find her friend, Henthoiba, who suddenly vanishes and is quickly labelled an insurgent by the police. She meets Shalini, a new girl at school and realises that Shalini’s qualities — her spunky spirit and her contacts — will help her find Henthoiba. What follows is a deep dive into an investigation that, at times, proves too much to handle and involves people they know and respect. April embarks on a search for Henthoiba because she doesn’t want her best friend to end up like her sister — another statistic. Working with Shalini, an army kid, is risky, but she knows their worlds might be different, but they need to come together. 

Author Mandira Shah admits she hesitated while writing this book because she didn’t think it was her story to tell, but I am so glad she decided to tell it! Her research and insight into Manipur and its culture bring alive the very bylanes of Imphal for the reader. Her plot twists reveal the issues plaguing residents of Imphal and highlight matters and concerns that those of us living in the mainland haven’t stopped to think about. The story is bold and sinister, but is told tenderly. We cheer with the main characters and find ourselves wishing and hoping the villain isn’t one of the characters we have grown to trust. The book slowly unravels threads from April’s past and puts them alongside the seemingly privileged childhood of Shalini, who has grown up in mainland India. The differences are stark and almost shake up the reader. 

Children of the Hidden Land is the perfect YA novel — it is perceptive, has a strong point of view, is packed with twists and turns, and leaves the reader eager to know more. Perfect for children 12+ and definitely worth a read for an adult.