31,783 Words

In the first book of the Colony Diaries series, we are transported to a 1980s residential colony in India. We are introduced to the colony inhabitants through the eyes of Amit Verma(and the Verma family). Vermas have just moved into this colony and trying to adjust to the colony, its inhabitants and its idiocyncracies. Amit is a relatable average kid who just wants to fit in, but being a middle school kid does stink. All you want to do is play and all you have to do is, well everything other than play. Vermas are happy to have moved, but each passing year throws its own tests and challenges. Although the context and setting is starting from 1985s India, the story at its core is timeless, about growing up, about falling in, and out of relationships and about human emotions. We start the first book in the series by following Vermas move to C3, a residential colony they moved a month ago. A cluster of residences meant for employees are called colonies, a common name even used today. Amit and Guddi Verma, 10 and 11 year old middle schoolers have additional challenge of adjusting to new school. In their naivety, they think fitting in should not be a problem, as they know most of C3's inhabitants. Their last move was a disaster. How will the Vermas adjust this time? Will they thrive or quit? Lets find out.