Fidan Meikle is an Azerbaijani-British writer, poet, and linguist based in Scotland. She creates stories and poems that resonate with readers of all ages, delving into themes of empathy, belonging, and the refugee experience.

Her debut middle-grade novel, My Name Is Samim, was included in the 2026 Read for Empathy Collection and has been shortlisted for several awards, including the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize, the FCBG Award, the Sheffield Book Award, the Literally Brilliant Book Award, the Hampshire Book Award, and the Cumbria Schools Secondary Spellbinding Award 2026.

My Name Is Samim and its sequel, My Name Is Zayn, are inspired by the real-life experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK. Fidan lives in West Lothian, Scotland.

The companion book to the Waterstones-longlisted My Name is Samim (part of the 2026 Read for Empathy Collection)

Fans of Fidan Meikle's astonishing debut novel will be gripped to hear wise-cracking Zayn's side of the story

Follow's Zayn's journey from when he and Samim were separated through the highs and lows of his own fight to build a life in the UK

Read about the Cover Reveal at booksfortopics!

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Coming August 2026

'An emotional but ultimately hopeful portrayal of a young refugee's life in the UK; shining a light on the challenges that face so many.' - Amnesty International UK

'Meikle's debut is a powerful 10+ story of resilience, adaptability and hope' - The Guardian

'Told in the first person, changing chapter by chapter between Samim's journey and his new life in the UK, this is an incredibly moving story... An assured, compelling debut.' - BookTrust

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