Azzi In Between

I have bought this book for my granddaughter for Christmas who is just turning 6. I feel it is important for children to understand these issues as they are constantly in the news. I like the positive ending (as my 6-year old is a bit of a worrier) despite the fact that such happy endings are somewhat rare (I have been working in refugee support). I am sure this book will appeal to a wider age range also.

A marvellous picture book about a Syrian refugee called Azzi and her family. It's so touching and lovely - a story about the difficulties and eventual triumph of a young girl who arrives in this country from the war-torn Middle East, and tries to find a place for herself at school in a foreign country where she doesn't know the language and feels so alone. It's such an important subject, and beautifully told. A plea for tolerance.

Original Review: Jan 2016: I read this to my two small daughters (2.5 & 4yrs) & they immediately asked for it again. The leaving of Grandma was clearly a hook for little ones. The story itself, from an adult perspective, is harrowingly beautiful, and actually made me weep when... Well, I won't spoil it for you, but be reassured that nothing unbearably awful happens - aside from the loss of one's home, country, friends, safety net. No-one significant dies, anyway. And it all works out well enough, considering the back story. Update Aug 2019: astonishingly, this is still a favourite. It doesn't get less harrowing on re-reading, and it's still devastatingly relevant, but both daughters (now 6.5 and 8) still pull it out to read on a reasonably regular basis. I still cry, when I read it with them.

I,ve got this book for my 7years old grandson, we red it together. He love the story and the illustrations as the book has beautiful drawings on every page. THe book had sparked great conversation and my grandson said he would like that little girl from the story to be in his class so she can be help by his teacher to learn english.I truly belive this book should be in every primary school library, it will help children to understand other children problems in very gentle,tender way.

This book has really supported children in my class who have experienced or know someone (family/friends) who have experienced displacement. Creates brilliant conversation for complex topics and language currently being thrown around such as 'Immigrants' 'terrorists' etc.

This story has enchanted 5 yr old twins and their 3 yr old sister and had their 46 yr old father in tears as he read it. (again and again by popular request) It has the perfect balance of truth about war and the satisfactory outcome for Azzi's family with the importance of the link to a lost garden which is so near to the superb Author's heart.

This is a very well written book. My son read this along with other books while preparing for an assignment on child refugees but he read and re-read this book as it struck a chord with him

A fantastic book to show children the journey some refugees take. Helps them to understand how difficult it is for them and how they could make them feel welcome in school.