Awards

• Commended for APA Design Awards: Scholastic Best Designed Children's Book 2008
• Commended for APA Design Awards: Scholastic Best Designed Children's Book 2008.
• Winner of USBBY Outstanding International Book for Grades 3-5 2009
• Winner of USBBY Outstanding International Book for Grades 3-5 2009.

Overview

Gervelie was born in the Republic of the Congo in 1995. This is the true story of her flight from her home in Africa to seek refuge in the United Kingdom and is told in her words. It is the honest and heartrending story of a family torn apart by war and their courageous decision to seek a life of peace in the West. Other titles in the series: Hamzat's Journey, Mohammed's Journey, Meltem's Journey This is the first book in an accalaimed series highlighting the true stories of refugee children. Chosen as a Scholastic Book of the Year and as an Outstanding International Book by USBBY.

Full Product Details

9781847800046

Table of Contents

Reviews

The heart of the book is one child's painful experience, simply told. Carousel What makes this stand out from other refugee accounts for primary classes is its bravery in presenting the events as unresolved. This true story follows Gervelie from war-torn Congo to asylum in Norwich via the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Sensitively written and illustrated, the little girl's story is told without softening, sentimentalising or seeking to shock. It ends with Gervelie telling us about her ambition to be a singer and the spirit of this girl - whose family is still split and residential status in the UK far from assured - is fascinating. A great book to use for PSHE and class discussions at any age. Truly remarkable. Scholastic Best Books of 2008 It relates with understated poignancy the true story of a young child fleeing militia attacks and civil war in west Africa. Illustrated by an evocative combination of photographs and watercolours, it offers a happy ending of sorts: Gervelie and her father are now settled in Norwich. Guardian Should help children to understand the plight of individuals in such political hotspots. Books for Keeps In the world of today, many young people will meet refugees in school or in their community. Books like this will help them understand the suffering such victims endure. Ibby Link This is a most timely book in that it highlights the traumatic experiences that individuals have undergone, compelling them to seek refuge in another country. The story is in Gervelie's own words complemented by superb colourful illustrations and photographs. Young readers would find this a readable and informative book: it would also be useful as stimulus material for KS2/3 pupils to promote understanding of the circumstances of refugees. School Librarian

The heart of the book is one child's painful experience, simply told. Carousel What makes this stand out from other refugee accounts for primary classes is its bravery in presenting the events as unresolved. This true story follows Gervelie from war-torn Congo to asylum in Norwich via the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Sensitively written and illustrated, the little girl's story is told without softening, sentimentalising or seeking to shock. It ends with Gervelie telling us about her ambition to be a singer and the spirit of this girl - whose family is still split and residential status in the UK far from assured - is fascinating. A great book to use for PSHE and class discussions at any age. Truly remarkable. Scholastic Best Books of 2008 It relates with understated poignancy the true story of a young child fleeing militia attacks and civil war in west Africa. Illustrated by an evocative combination of photographs and watercolours, it offers a happy ending of sorts: Gervelie and her father are now settled in Norwich. Guardian Should help children to understand the plight of individuals in such political hotspots. Books for Keeps In the world of today, many young people will meet refugees in school or in their community. Books like this will help them understand the suffering such victims endure. Ibby Link This is a most timely book in that it highlights the traumatic experiences that individuals have undergone, compelling them to seek refuge in another country. The story is in Gervelie's own words complemented by superb colourful illustrations and photographs. Young readers would find this a readable and informative book: it would also be useful as stimulus material for KS2/3 pupils to promote understanding of the circumstances of refugees. School Librarian

Author Information

Anthony Robinson is an author of children's books and an author, consultant and teacher in English Language Teaching. He has lived and travelled all over the world, from his original home in Australia to Southeast Asia and Europe, from Japan to Edinburgh, and now lives in Cambridge. He is particularly interested in comparing and contrasting real children's lives, be they refugees who have fled their own countries, children living normal lives in vastly different cultures, or children living in difficult circumstances. To see Anthony's pages on the Cambridge Wiggly Pencil website, click here To see Anthony's pages on the Cambridge Wiggly Pencil website, click here June Allan can't remember a time when she didn't love drawing. Her Mum says she used to sit and draw in her pram! After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 1971 with a Diploma specializing in Painting and Glass Design, she taught in various secondary schools until 1986, when she started to paint portraits professionally. In 1999 she ventured into the field of children's book illustration, and since then has illustrated many children's books. June lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two children, two guinea pigs, Holly and Fern and lots of goldfish. Annemarie Young is an author, publisher and editorial consultant, in children's books and primary education. She has lived and travelled all over the world, from her original home in Australia to Southeast Asia and Europe, from Egypt to Edinburgh, and now lives in Cambridge. She has worked with over 100 children's authors and illustrators from all corners of the globe, and loves the whole process of publishing, from the first exciting ideas, to the often heated discussions about how to realise those ideas, all the way to checking colour proofs and finally seeing the printed book. To see Annemarie's pages on the Cambridge Wiggly Pencil website, click here

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