Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan reviewed by Chitra Soundar

Tomorrow by Nadine Kaadan (published by Lantana Publishing) is a story of reality and hope.

Nadine Kaadan brings to life the story of Yazan, a Syrian boy who is stuck inside the house – no school, no play and parents distracted by war. Parents naturally are focussed on the reality, while the children miss their childhood – playing, being with friends, learning and getting to know the world. But what do you do when your world is literally crumbling around you and your life is restricted to the four walls of your house?

While the war has worsened in Syria, since Nadine left the country, tomorrow is a message of hope. We need to hope that tomorrow will be different, better, and more peaceful. Tomorrow is what many children are waiting for – because tomorrow might bring medicines, food, peace, and play.

Tomorrow is a story from young Yazan’s viewpoint – what is important to a young boy? Meeting his friends, playing with his new bike that has a special bell that goes TINGALINGALING! He even misses school and his friends. This is a story for every child in every part of the world – because this is a tragedy of our contemporary world. Children who are growing up now in the UK or in any other continent should be given the opportunity to understand and empathise with their peers in war-torn cities and countries.

Yazan’s story will initiate discussions at home and in schools. Not just about war, but also about what would they paint on their walls, if they could paint anything? Tomorrow ends with hope for a better future not just for Yazan but for all children in all parts of the world where strife has stolen their childhood.

Find out more about the book. And read Nadine's interview here.

And if you're a teacher or a parent looking to introduce your children to more books about refugees, here are some wonderful books. But many of them are published in the US.

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Chitra Soundar is an Indian-born British writer of children's books and storyteller. Find out more at www.chitrasoundar.com or follow her on Twitter @csoundar.

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Finding Hope, by Marie-Louise Jensen. Reviewed by Saviour Pirotta

Title: Finding Hope
Author: Marie-Louise Jensen
Publisher Fiction Express

Jake, an only boy, lives an idyllic life in the UK. His main passion in life is horse riding and he is looking forward to riding Thunder, his trusted horse, at the next showjumping event.

But when Jake's parents adopt a refugee called Faly, he finds that having a new sister is probably more than a cool kid can handle. Faly speaks no English. In fact she doesn't speak at all. Jake is resentful that he now has to share his parents' attention with a newcomer and that the new arrival is eating into his training time for the imminent showjumping event.  But gradually Jake and Faly bond and when it seems that the refugee has been kidnapped by two men in a black van, Jake proves to be a real hero and brother.

The 'hope' of the title is the name given to a rescued horse that is taken in by the stables where Jake trains. The horse's story mirrors that of Faly, who must start seeing hope in what she considers a desperate situation.

Originally written for the Fiction Express platform, this is a fast-paced story that deals with the topic of migrants in a sensitive but entertaining away. Told from the two points of view - Faly and Jakes's - it really lets you in on what the main characters are thinking and feeling. Faly's story includes her nightmare journey across the Sahara desert and the loss of her parents in the Med.  Jake's journey towards accepting his new sister is no less interesting. Absorbing stuff!

Saviour Pirotta's latest books are the Ancient Greek Mysteries series from Bloomsbury. Pirates of Poseidon is out now. Follow him on twitter @spirotta.








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