Beautifully written-an evocative story of resilience, family love, and finding hope in a new beginning.

A new pet helps a refugee family find a sense of safety and home in this charming novel, based on the co-author's own experience.

Nine-year-old Roya, her three brothers, and their parents have finally been granted permission to stay in the Netherlands after a long, arduous journey from Afghanistan. To celebrate their new stability, they bring home Mishka, a fluffy, white dwarf rabbit.

Roya, who was only three when her family fled Kabul, finds a special confidant in Mishka. As her family members recount their journey, from their reasons for leaving to their long stay in refugee centers, Mishka's presence gently prompts Roya to process her own scattered memories and the complex emotions of starting over in an unfamiliar world.

This lyrical story weaves together moments of humor, joy, and sadness, illuminating the disorienting effects of the refugee experience through a gentle, child's-eye view.

A critically acclaimed novel, perfect for readers in grades 3-5 (ages 7-10).

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Starred Reviews: Publishers Weekly | Kirkus | Booklist
Best of the Year: Publishers Weekly | New York Public Library | Booklist

About the Author

Edward van de Vendel has been a school principal, founder, and teacher. He has been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Prize, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and received the German Jugendliteratur Prize; in 2023, he received the highest honor for children's books in the Netherlands: the Gouden Griffel, for Mishka. Edward lives in Amersfoort, and travels widely.

Author residence: Netherlands

Anoush Elman was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. When he was twelve he came to live in the Netherlands with his parents, brothers and sister, where the family had to wait seven years before receiving their residence permit. After high school he studied applied psychology, took a job as senior researcher at Pharos, the Dutch Center of Expertise On Health Disparities, and obtained his doctorate in 2022.

Author residence: Netherlands

Annet Schaap is a children's book illustrator and in 2017 made her debut as both writer and illustrator for Lampje, which won the Gouden Griffel, the British Carnegie Medal, and the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi, and has been translated into 22 languages.

Illustratorresidence: Netherlands

Nancy Forest-Flier is an American-born translator and editor living and working in the Netherlands. She has translated several adult and children's novels from Dutch to English as well as books of historical non-fiction. She has also translated for numerous Dutch museums and institutes including the Anne Frank House. She has six children and ten grandchildren.

Translator residence: Netherlands

Reviews

[STAR] "Deftly weaving in moments of humor, joy, and sadness, the authors offer a gentle, child's-eye view of the dangers the family faces... Profoundly and charmingly moving." - Kirkus (starred)

"In this moving novel about home and belonging, a beloved bunny helps a refugee family tap into their collective stories." - Foreword

[STAR] "Van de Vendel and Elman's touching narrative (inspired by Elman's own experiences fleeing Afghanistan as a child) gets to the emotional heart of Roya's circumstances... This is a story with deftly drawn characters and clearly demonstrated familial love. Schaap's full-page color portraits of various characters with Mishka add elegance to this evocative and memorable presentation." - Booklist (starred)

[STAR] "This tender novel, narrated in a simple, affecting voice by nine-year-old Roya, gently illuminates the disorienting effects of the refugee experience on a child... sensitively written and poignant." - Publishers Weekly (starred)

Book Information
ISBN 9781646146598
Author Edward van de Vendel
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Levine Querido
Publisher Levine Querido