My Name Is Samim

Winner of the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize 2026 -- Book of the Year by Writers of Colour in the UK and Ireland Winner of the FCBG Children's Book Award 2026: Books for Older Readers 'Meikle's debut is a powerful story of resilience, adaptability and hope.' -- The Guardian My name is Samim. I'm thirteen years and three months old, I love chess -- and I'm a refugee. I was happy in Afghanistan, until the day bombs ripped my life apart. I escaped with my best friend Zayn, hoping to find safety in the UK. But the journey was dangerous and we lost so much along the way� Now I'm here, trying to make new friends and a new home, but will the authorities let me stay? First, I must tell my story. Are you ready to hear it? "An emotional but ultimately hopeful portrayal of a young refugee's life in the UK." -- Neil Cowan, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL UK Fidan Meikle is a stunning new voice in middle-grade fiction. Her wry, heartfelt and immersive writing will draw readers into Samim's world. Discover Zayn's side of the story in the highly-anticipated follow-up, My Name Is Zayn.