An illustration from After Midnight. PIC COURTESY/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

Meghaa Gupta contextualises the challenges of the present by highlighting the blood and sweat of the past in her book, After Midnight. The narrative of this title begins after the country became independent. Guptaa points out the ideas, anecdotes and sweeping social, political, economic and environmental developments that shaped a nation’s becoming. At the time of Independence, many countries doubted that India — with British provinces and 500 princely states — would be able to survive as a nation for even a few years.
Age group: 10 years and above
Log on to: amazon.in
Cost: Rs 254

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To the youngest citizen

An illustration by Bindia Thapar from We, The Children Of India. PIC COURTESY/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

In the book, We, The Children Of India, Leila Seth speaks to the young readers of the country. The voice of a former and the first woman Chief Justice of a state High Court, rings differently as kids know they are being addressed by someone who has witnessed the workings of the nation up close. In simple words and with interesting trivia and illustrations, the author explains India as a democratic republic, and a sovereign and secular state.
Age group: 10 years and above
Log on to: amazon.in
Cost: Rs 192

A value-based life

Rajesh Talwar’s The Boy Who wrote a constitution comes in the form of a play. In this title, the author upholds significant events from Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s life and pairs it with snippets where five children respond to the happenings in his life as per their own identities and backgrounds. The contemporary structure of the book makes for an immersive read. Young readers would be inspired by Ambedkar’s childhood that was not free of challenges. 
Age group: 10 years and above
Log on to: amazon.in
Cost: Rs 254