My Name Is Samim

Description

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.