Author Fidan Meikle on the story behind her middle-grade debut

What is My Name Is Samim about and what inspired the story?

It is the story of a young boy, Samim, who loses his family in a bombing and sets off on a dangerous journey from Afghanistan to the UK with his friend Zayn. It is inspired by the real experiences of many children who are forced to leave everything behind when home is no longer safe.

The idea for this book came from an article I read about a young Afghan refugee who, after a harrowing journey to France, lost his brother – the only family he had left – during the Channel crossing.  I could not stop thinking about him. What must that grief feel like for a child? How do you keep going after losing everyone you’ve loved? What does hope even look like after that? 

That boy’s story planted the seed for Samim’s voice. But I didn’t want to write just about pain – I wanted to show the strength and quiet resilience young people carry as they search for a safer, better future.

What research did you conduct into the experience of young refugees before or while writing the book?

The research for this book took longer than the writing. With a background in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, specialising in Iran and Afghanistan, I already had a solid foundation in the history, culture and political context, but to truly understand the depth of the refugee experience, I needed to go further.

I read memoirs of people who had made similar journeys, watched interviews with young refugees sharing their stories and studied reports on displacement, asylum policies and life in refugee camps. One of the most valuable parts of my research was working with Afghan photojournalist Aryan Musleh, whose network of contacts – many of whom had fled Afghanistan – shared powerful accounts that influenced the book.

Can you describe your journey to publication and how you found the publishing process as a debut author?

The publishing journey has been a new and exciting experience. From the moment I pitched at the Scottish BPOC Writers Network conference, Floris Books has been nothing but supportive, guiding me through the process. Of course, putting your first book out into the world can feel overwhelming – and yes, a bit scary at times – especially when you’re writing about something as sensitive as the refugee experience. But I keep coming back to why I wrote it. My Name Is Samim is a story I care about deeply. I gave it everything I had, and I’ll always be proud of this book.

What message do you hope young readers take away from the book?

Sharing stories like Samim’s with young people is important because they offer a glimpse into lives that are often overlooked or misunderstood. Being a refugee is a deeply human experience. Young refugees like Samim are not just survivors of hardship – they are people with dreams, fears and incredible strength. His story is about resilience, the quiet power of kindness, and the profound impact it can have. It also reminds us that real strength comes from standing together, and that there’s hope in speaking up for what’s right.

Floris Books has also signed another book from you, to be published in 2026. Can you reveal anything about this?

We’re currently editing the sequel to My Name Is Samim. This book follows Samim’s best friend, Zayn, as he completes their journey to finding a new home.

Writing the ending was emotional – it felt like saying goodbye to my sons and trusting that they will find their way in the world. But I’m excited about this sequel. What started with me exploring one issue grew into something more – a story about unity and humanity; a story about how, despite coming from different places and backgrounds, we are all connected by shared experiences, struggles and hopes.

We may speak different languages, follow different traditions, or have different ways of looking at the world, but at the heart of it all, we share the same need for love, belonging, and understanding. In many ways Zayn’s story has the ending both boys and both books need.