Overview

""I must make it. I will make it. And I will tell their stories."" Thirteen-year-old Samim is a loyal friend, a gifted chess player -- and a refugee. After his family is killed in a bombing, Samim makes a long, dangerous journey from Afghanistan to the UK. But even then his safety isn't guaranteed: Samim must tell his story to convince the authorities to let him stay for good. Samim relives the perils he faced and remembers the many friends he made and lost -- the intrepid girl who dressed as a boy for safety, the courageous grandmother seeking a new home for her nine grandchildren, and especially his funny, spirited best friend Zayn. With his past never forgotten, Samim begins to build a new life in the UK: starting school and making new friends. But he also faces bigoted bullies and an uncertain future. Will Samim be granted asylum and allowed to stay in his new home? My Name is Samim is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story of courage, resilience and friendship. Highlighting the experiences of young refugees and asylum-seekers, readers will empathise with Samim as he strives for a safe home and a better future. Fidan Meikle is a stunning new voice in middle-grade fiction. Her wry, heartfelt and immersive writing will draw readers into Samim's world.

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9781782509301

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Reviews

'Meikle's debut is a powerful story of resilience, adaptability and hope.' -- The Guardian 'An emotional but ultimately hopeful portrayal of a young refugee's life in the UK; shining a light on the challenges that face so many.' -- Amnesty International UK 'Samim is a fully-rounded character, giving a relatable face to the countless news reports. Beautifully descriptive as well as tightly paced, this novel is emotive and utterly engrossing... Moving, heart-breaking and ultimately uplifting, this is a topical, timely novel with a very important message.' -- Children's Books Ireland 'Warm, funny and ultimately hopeful... This is a beautifully written and important story which highlights the courage and resilience of children for whom safety is not guaranteed.' -- Books for Keeps 'Compelling and powerful, sitting alongside Welcome to Nowhere by Elizabeth Laird or Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu.' -- Books for Topics 'A powerful, at times heartbreaking novel… This remarkable and deeply moving story conveys the reality of the experience of refugees and provides the reader with the opportunity to learn, to understand and to empathise… An impressive debut.' -- Library Lady 'Honest, engaging and thought-provoking… a powerful story encouraging empathy by providing readers with a clearer idea of what being a refugee really means. It's a must-have for secondary school libraries.' -- Kate Heap, Author and Literacy Leader 'Moving, insightful and well-researched, this is an exciting debut from a Scotland-dwelling Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator.' -- The Literacy Tree 'Extraordinary! Explores many layered threads of loss, memories, friendships and immigration.' -- Teresa Cremin, Professor of Education at The Open University

'A powerful, at times heartbreaking novel... This remarkable and deeply moving story conveys the reality of the experience of refugees and provides the reader with the opportunity to learn, to understand and to empathise... An impressive debut.' -- Library Lady 'Moving, insightful and well-researched, this is an exciting debut from a Scotland-dwelling Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator.' -- The Literacy Tree

Author Information

Fidan Meikle is an Azerbaijani-British writer, linguist and translator. She writes poetry and prose for children and adults. When she isn’t writing, Fidan can be found teaching languages, indulging her love of Azerbaijani cuisine, or exploring the Scottish Highlands with her husband and children. Her debut middle-grade novel, My Name is Samim, is inspired by the true stories of young refugees who undertake courageous journeys in the hope of finding a safe home. She lives in West Lothian, Scotland.

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