My Name Is Zayn

By Author / Illustrator

Fidan Meikle

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Floris Books

ISBN

9781835750117

Format

Paperback

Published

20-08-2026

Synopsis

The highly anticipated companion book to the Jhalak Prize-winning My Name is Samim. 13-year-old Zayn is a loyal friend, a gifted football player - and a refugee. Zayn endures a long, dangerous journey from war-torn Afghanistan with his best friend Samim, only to lose him when their dinghy sinks in the English Channel. Zayn arrives in the UK, alone, but convinced Samim is alive - somewhere.

Sent to live in a hotel with other asylum seekers, Zayn starts to find small pieces of normal life - he goes to school, joins the soccer team and is making friends. Then children begin disappearing from the hotel, including Zayn's roommate. When the police struggle to find them, Zayn feels he's the only one who can.

Hounded by a local gang, as well as demons from his past, Zayn finds hope and help in unlikely places. But can he find his missing friends, old and new, as well as the safe home he's been searching for?

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Reviews

Jo

Following the incredible My Name is Samim, author Fidan Meikle returns with My Name is Zayn - a deeply moving, unforgettable story that will open your heart and expand your view of the world.

After a harrowing journey from Afghanistan to the UK, 13-year-old Zayn is separated from his best friend, Samim. Placed in a refugee hotel, Zayn tries to build a normal life: he goes to school, joins a local football team, and forms a deeply touching friendship with his new roommate, Musa. But when children suddenly begin disappearing from the hotel, Zayn must rely on his extraordinary resilience, wit, and loyalty to protect those he cares about.

This gripping page-turner is filled with laughter, warmth, and hope, even alongside real-world hardships. Its true power lies in how effortlessly it builds empathy and understanding for young readers. By seeing the world through Zayn's eyes, you experience his fierce loyalty, his desire to belong, and the heart-warming power of unexpected kindness from strangers.

The story gently educates and enlightens, revealing the hidden truths faced by young refugees while celebrating the beauty of standing up for one another.

My Name is Zayn is a breathtaking tale of courage that will stay with you long after the final page and inspire you to treat others with greater compassion. An absolute must-read that restores your faith in humanity!

304 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher