A Shout Out From Australia: Close to the Heart of A Refugee.

One thing about being a writer, you never know what might show up in your inbox that will make you smile.


See this recent email from a teacher in Australia:

Many people ask me should they read books about the Refugee Experience and to students from Refugee backgrounds- my answer is ‘ask your students’.  I have not had a class to date say no- the students enjoy making connections and telling part of their story.

I read Four Feet Two Sandals to a secondary class of New Arrival Students, all but one of the class members was from a refugee background.  At the end of the lesson  a year 8 boy from Afghanistan came up to me with the book up under his shirt- he wanted the book close to his heart.
The boy thanked me for reading the book and said that he was happy because the book let him know that others understand his journey.  He asked to take the book home and read it to his family that night.  His family were delighted that in a way their story was captured for other to read and understand- and that someone (the would be you Karen) cared enough to tell their story.

Thanks too to Khadra Mohammed who coauthored this book.

More than ever I am hearing from teachers, librarians, ministers, readers and parents from around the world.

It is exciting to know that my books speak to readers in a meaningful way especially now in a world where so many are looking for a safe, welcoming place to call home.
It is also sad that this story touches so many.
And it is gratifying to connect.  To know that one 8 year old child from Afghanistan holds my book close to his heart.