Children’s Book Award Blog Tour- My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle
We are wrapping up the Children’s Book Award Blog Tour with our final shortlisted title in the Books for Older Readers Category! Today’s blog features a Q&A with Fidan Meikle about the shortlisted book, My Name is Samim.
How does it feel to be nominated for the Children’s Book Award? This is the only book award that is voted on solely by children across the UK.
I think it’s the best news I’ve had since I wrote the book. I was on my lunch break, walking the dog, when I found out, and I just stopped in my tracks. My dog looked at me like, “What’s wrong with you?” and I laughed, because I was so excited.
Knowing that this award is voted on entirely by children makes it feel even more special. The idea that young readers across the UK connected with Samim’s journey, felt his fears, his hopes, his small victories is incredibly moving. It’s one thing to write a story, but it’s another to have it live in the hearts of the very people it was written for. That makes all the long hours, the rewrites, and the moments of doubt completely worth it. I am so grateful.
Tell us more about your book.
My Name is Samim is a story about thirteen-year-old Samim, a loyal friend and skilled chess player, whose life is shattered when his family is killed in a bombing in Afghanistan. He makes a long, dangerous journey to the UK, where he must tell his story to the authorities to be able to stay in the country.
Along the way, he meets unforgettable people: a brave girl who disguises herself for safety, a determined grandmother, a mountain-like protector, and many others. And, of course, he is always accompanied by his funny, spirited best friend Zayn.
As Samim tries to build a new life, navigate school, make friends, and face bullies, he confronts loss, finds courage and eventually learns what it really means to find a place to belong.
What do you hope that readers will take from reading your book?
One of my young beta readers once said something that has really stayed with me.
Months after reading the book, she told me: “I didn’t know much about refugees before. But now, when I hear the word ‘refugee’, I feel more interested and more worried about them, because I think of someone I really like. I think of Samim and Zayn.”
That meant everything to me.
“Refugee” can feel like a distant word to many children. Through Samim and Zayn, I wanted to give that word a face, a story, someone they could relate to, but also empathise with. These characters aren’t just going through something difficult; they’re funny, brave, scared, kind, and stubborn, just like all kids.
If young readers come away from the story feeling more connected, more curious, and more compassionate, then I’ve done what I set out to do. I hope the book helps them move past the headlines and see the people behind the label, children like Samim and Zayn, with their own hopes, fears, and stories.
Where do you find ideas and inspiration for your books?
Everywhere! Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places. For example, the idea for My Name is Samim came to me from an email one day. It was a newsletter from a charity I support. Inside was a story written in the first person by an Afghan boy refugee, and his true experiences sparked Samim’s journey.
The inspiration for my second book came while researching the first. Now, I’m working on two more books in completely different genres, each inspired by something unique. The truth is, stories are all around us, we just need to pause, look a little closer, and listen. And sometimes, if we’re lucky, they’ll grab us and refuse to let go.
Are you working on anything exciting that you can tell us about?
I’m in the final stages of editing the sequel to My Name is Samim, titled My Name is Zayn. This book follows Zayn’s story: his voice, his memories, and the path he must walk in the aftermath of everything he and Samim endured. It’s another story I’ve poured my heart into, tackling another very serious subject. I loved the characters in Book 2 so much that saying goodbye to them was really hard.
This sequel will be the final chapter in Samim and Zayn’s journey. At its heart, it’s about friendship, resilience, and the quiet power of hope. But it’s also about something bigger: the ways we’re all connected, and how, no matter our backgrounds, languages, or beliefs, we all share the same need for love, safety, and a place to call home.
What advice would you give children keen to be an author in the future?
I once read that only around 3% of writers who start a book actually finish it. Many writers, when faced with tricky moments, plot holes, or self-doubt, give up and lose interest. They might start another story, face the same challenges, and quit again. I know I’ve done it myself.
So if I could give you one piece of advice, it’s this: finish your book. Make it your mission to complete it. Writing a book is incredible but reaching that last page and writing “THE END” is how you become an author.
Children across the UK are encouraged to get involved. Copies of the books can be purchased at a discount from our partner supplier Heath Books here https://www.heathbooks.co.uk/federation-of-childrens-book-groups-childrens-book-award-2026/ and online voting will be opened on Monday 23rd March here https://fcbg.org.uk/childrens-book-award-2026/
The deadline for voting is 12 noon on Friday 8th May and category winners and the overall winner of the most popular children’s book published in 2025 will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 13th June, attended by representatives from all our local groups and livestreamed on the FCBG YouTube channel.
