My Name Is Samim
Written by Fidan Meikle
Published by Kelpies
A courageous young refugee survives a desperate journey in this moving but wry middle—grade novel about struggles, hope and friendship.
Thirteen—year—old Samim is a refugee, forced to make a long, dangerous journey from his home in 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. Samim is one of the lucky ones, but has he really found a safe new home?
Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: February 2026
Available As: Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 10 or older
Community Represented: Afghan/Afghan American
Themes: Discrimination: Immigration Status, Discrimination: Racial, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Separation: On Journey, Format: Audiobook, Identity: Exploration, Loss of Childhood, Mental Health, Refugee Journey, Refugee: Asylee, Refugee: Persecution, Refugee: Undocumented, Refugee: War/Conflict, Religious Background: Muslim, Setting: Home Country, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend, Unaccompanied Minors
Setting: Afghanistan (Ghazni), United Kingdom
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: On Journey, Refugee/Asylee
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Written with Cultural Advisors
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