This fourth book in the Refugee Diary series follows a Kurdish family from Eastern Turkey. 13 year old Meltem tells the story of their journey to the UK, and the harrowing months waiting to find out if they can stay in Britain. Meltem encounters racism, her father goes missing and the family is sent to Yarl's Wood detention centre. But the end of the story is full of hope for the future, as the family is at last given permission to stay in the UK and Meltem starts a new school and makes friends.
A powerful addition to the acclaimed Refugee Diaries series, which includes Gervelie's Journey (Congo), Mohammed's Journey (Iraq) and Hamzat's Journey (Chechnya)
Excerpt.
Koblenz, Germany - 2000-2001
Dad didn't meet us at the airport when we arrived. We applied for asylum, somewhere near the airport, and Dad came there. I don't remember a lot, I was too young.
Mum says German Social Services helped us then. Dad couldn't work while they sorted out our asylum application. The three of us lived in one room in a hostel. We shared a kitchen with about ten people. I remember it as dirty and there being lots of noisy dogs around.
I went to nursery there. That was OK. There were lots of other children. Some refugees and others. I had a Turkish friend there, but I don't remember her name. I used to like skipping with her. We played with Pokemon cards a lot too. At breaks and lunchtime we would go to the gym, for a rest. They would put a colourful cloth over us, even over our heads. It was nice.
One year late, in summer 2001, our asylum application was refused. We had to leave Germany or be sent back to Turkey. And we couldn't go back because my mum and dad would have been in big trouble for leaving illegally.
Hardcover Book
