Mishka
Edward van de Vendel author Anoush Elman author Nancy Forest-Flier translator Annet Schaap illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Levine Querido
Published:14th May '26
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Beautifully written—an evocative story of resilience, family love, and finding hope in a new beginning.
A new pet helps a refugee family find a sense of safety and home in this charming novel, based on the co-author's own experience.
Nine-year-old Roya, her three brothers, and their parents have finally been granted permission to stay in the Netherlands after a long, arduous journey from Afghanistan. To celebrate their new stability, they bring home Mishka, a fluffy, white dwarf rabbit.
Roya, who was only three when her family fled Kabul, finds a special confidant in Mishka. As her family members recount their journey, from their reasons for leaving to their long stay in refugee centers, Mishka’s presence gently prompts Roya to process her own scattered memories and the complex emotions of starting over in an unfamiliar world.
This lyrical story weaves together moments of humor, joy, and sadness, illuminating the disorienting effects of the refugee experience through a gentle, child's-eye view.
A critically acclaimed novel, perfect for readers in grades 3–5 (ages 7–10).
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Starred Reviews: ★ Publishers Weekly | ★ Kirkus | ★ Booklist
Best of the Year: Publishers Weekly | New York Public Library | Booklist
[STAR] "Deftly weaving in moments of humor, joy, and sadness, the authors offer a gentle, child's-eye view of the dangers the family faces... Profoundly and charmingly moving.” – Kirkus (starred)
“In this moving novel about home and belonging, a beloved bunny helps a refugee family tap into their collective stories.” – Foreword
[STAR] "Van de Vendel and Elman's touching narrative (inspired by Elman's own experiences fleeing Afghanistan as a child) gets to the emotional heart of Roya's circumstances... This is a story with deftly drawn characters and clearly demonstrated familial love. Schaap's full-page color portraits of various characters with Mishka add elegance to this evocative and memorable presentation.” – Booklist (starred)
[STAR] "This tender novel, narrated in a simple, affecting voice by nine-year-old Roya, gently illuminates the disorienting effects of the refugee experience on a child... sensitively written and poignant." – Publishers Weekly (starred)
★ "This is a story with deftly drawn characters and clearly demonstrated familial love... evocative and memorable.” – Booklist (starred)
“In this moving novel about home and belonging, a beloved bunny helps a refugee family tap into their collective stories.” – Foreword
★ “Deftly weaving in moments of humor, joy, and sadness, the authors offer a gentle, child's-eye view of the dangers the family faces... Profoundly and charmingly moving.” – Kirkus (starred)
★ "This tender novel, narrated in a simple, affecting voice by nine-year-old Roya, gently illuminates the disorienting effects of the refugee experience on a child... sensitively written and poignant." – Publishers Weekly (starred)
"Mishka has already won children’s literature awards around the world. Now it will charm and delight English-speaking readers, too.” – Lit
ISBN: 9781646146598
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
160 pages