Publisher's Synopsis
In 1996, when Akuch Kuol Anyieth is 5, her mother flees to Kakuma with her children, intent on finding safety and freedom for her family, while her husband stays behind in South Sudan to fight in the civil war. The family spends 9 years in the camp, eking out an existence amidst famine, disease, unbearable heat, and chronic violence. Despite their suffering, Akuch never loses hope or sense of humour. She's a bright student who loves learning and does well at the local school. In 2005, the family is finally granted a family humanitarian visa to Australia. They are on the way to paradise. But the reality of their new lives in Melbourne is complex. As Akuch's brother's behaviour spirals out of control, the family find themselves isolated and struggling with various forms of racism. But Akuch is determined. She learns English, excels in her educational achievements, and tries to live the life of a regular teenager.
