The Night Diary

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-10

Reading Check

1. Which adult does Nisha want to be like when she grows up, according to what she writes in her diary?

2. Why does a group of boys throw rocks at Amil and Nisha on their walk home from school, according to Amil?

3. With what activity was Nisha’s mother sometimes so invested when she was alive that she would forget to eat?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Nisha and her twin brother’s (Amil) birthday a bittersweet day?

2. Why does Nisha prefer writing to speaking?

3. Why does Nisha address her diary entries to Mama? What does this one-sided dialogue say about Nisha’s character?

Paired Resource

“The Night Diary Author Veera Hiranandani in Conversation with Editor”

• In this 4-minute interview between Veera Hiranandani and the editor of the book, the author reveals her inspirations and motivations for writing The Night Diary.
• Hiranandani discusses how making Mama a Muslim and Papa a Hindu was a conscious, authorial choice, made to highlight Spirituality Versus Religion.