Samira Surfs

By Rukhsanna Guidroz, Fahmida Azim (Illustrator)

A refugee girl finds hope and courage in a surf club.

6.3/7 Bookroo expert·3.8/5 Goodreads · 469 ratings

416 pages· 31,980 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Samira, an eleven-year-old Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, grapples with a past of violence and loss. Amidst rebuilding her life, she discovers a surf club for girls. Can the waves of Cox's Bazar help her find strength and sisterhood, transforming fear into empowerment? Dive into Samira's journey from isolation to courage.

From the publisher

A middle grade novel in verse about Samira, an eleven-year-old Rohingya refugee living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, who finds strength and sisterhood in a local surf club for girls. Samira thinks of her life as before and after: before the burning and violence in her village in Burma, when she and her best friend would play in the fields, and after, when her family was forced to flee. There’s before the uncertain journey to Bangladesh by river, and after, when the river swallowed her nana and nani whole. And now, months after rebuilding a life in Bangladesh with her mama, baba, and brother, there’s before Samira saw the Bengali surfer girls of Cox’s Bazar, and after, when she decides she’ll become one. Samira Surfs, written by Rukhsanna Guidroz with illustrations by Fahmida Azim, is a tender novel in verse about a young Rohingya girl’s journey from isolation and persecution to sisterhood, and from fear to power.

Awards

Golden Kite Award (2022)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 416
Words: 31,980
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 680L

Themes & topics

Books about culture Books about identity Books about sports and recreation Books about places and regions Books about refugees

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Serious Subject Matter

As refugees, the main character and her family experience some prejudice treatment by the local community. They are also worried about the safety of family members still living in their home country.

What readers & critics say

Reviews

6.3

out of 7

6.3

“Such an engaging story and valuable introduction to the Rohingya refugee crisis. Really terrific work of historical fiction. Meaningful friendships, coming of age experiences, and cultural exposure. Also a good intro to novel-in-verse.”

The Goodfather

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one