Every little boy's first hero is his father. This is the story of a boy who has grown into an adult, but still remembers his father as the hero he was for him, when he was little.
The warming spring air casted a safe coating to Cambrie’s arms, as she awaited her brother’s presence. His class was always the last to be dismissed after the bell rang. Cambrie waited in annoyance, as she observed mothers, fathers, and siblings greeting each other. Arms growing tired, Cambrie set down her pre-algebra textbook and a copy of A Wrinkle in Time on the floor of the 5th grade wing
Amna had been leading a very normal life; she is a student, aiming to be a doctor. But when violence between opposing sects erupts in her country, everything in her life starts falling apart. She is not able to make sense of why all of this was happening to us.
The first homecoming Phatik experiences is at the beginning of the story. His younger, favored brother was injured in a scuffle and ran home to tattle to their mother. Phatik delays returning home because he knows that he'll face an unjust punishment. When he finally goes home, however, he has the opportunity to go to another home. His uncle Bhishamber offers to take him to Calcutta, where he'll be educated and live with his cousins. Phatik is very excited to go—and even makes peace with his brother Makhan for the first time when he gives him his treasured goods.
