How a Blackburn childhood inspired Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month

British-Pakistani author Iqbal Hussain has released The Night I Borrowed Time, a new children’s book inspired by his childhood growing up in Blackburn , which sheds a light on the Partition of India, explores parents’ divorce, and arranged marriage in Pakistani culture.

The novel is rich with British-Pakistani representation, inspired directly by Iqbal’s own upbringing. He grew up in a working-class British-Pakistani family in Blackburn, the youngest of six siblings, and this experience has shaped the story’s protagonist, Zubair, who is a seventh son. Through Zubair’s eyes, the book explores family pressure, arranged marriage, parental relationships under strain with a poignant message for children about acceptance, empathy and hope.

While told through a magical, fast-paced time-travel adventure, the book sensitively explores the Partition of India, and according to Puffin Press, “a meaningful conversation starter about shared identity and the impact of empire.”

The Night I Borrowed Time is also the first title to publish under Puffin’s new list for young book lovers Puffin Press.

Aimed at readers aged eight and over, it is available in paperback and e-book format for £8.99.

About the author

Iqbal Hussain has been writing since he could hold a pencil. As a boy, he churned out Famous Five and Hardy Boy pastiches. In his teens, he appeared on Blockbusters, Countdown and The Crystal Maze. He studied Maths at Bangor University, then worked as a journalist for the Guardian, the Young Telegraph and the children's magazine Aquila.

Originally from Blackburn, he now lives in north London, by Epping Forest, with his partner and labradoodle. His debut adult novel, Northern Boy, about being a butterfly among the bricks, was published in 2024. This is his debut children’s novel.