My Name is Samim

About this book

13-year-old Samim is in a foster home in the UK, three years after fleeing Afghanistan with his friend and his uncle. 

In his bid for asylum, he tells the story of his arduous journey from his homeland, through Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and France. Along the way, Samim loses the people he’s closest to, and also the new friends he makes. It’s a terrible, tough time. 

Meanwhile, he’s started school in the UK and joins the chess club. Samim loves numbers – counting pi to calm himself down – and he loves chess. 

But the school bully is also the chess champion and doesn’t appreciate a newcomer. And it’s unclear whether Samim’s asylum claim will be granted. Will Samim ever find a welcoming home again? 

Told in the first person, changing chapter by chapter between Samim’s journey and his new life in the UK, this is an incredibly moving story. 

There are some tough scenes that reflect the reality of the challenges faced by these lonely children, including death at sea. That said, there is much hope and even lightness in this narrative – Samim’s dead friend provides much humour in the banter in his head. 

An assured, compelling debut.