Samira Surfs

By: Rukhsanna Guidroz

Narrated by: Reena Dutt

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.

Critic reviews

An ALA RISE: A Feminist Book Project List 2022 selection
An NCTE Notable Poetry Book and Verse Novel of 2022 selection
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature Best Books of 2021 selection
A Society of Illustrators Original Art show 2021 selection
A Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2021 selection
2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books List



★ “A compelling novel that spotlights the history and contemporary circumstances of the Rohingya while tackling universal themes of friendship, belonging, and identity.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“[T]his novel shines a light on a subject rarely addressed in middle grade fiction.” —Booklist

“This novel is peopled with layered, fully formed characters who experience trauma and triumph in equal measure . . . A compassionate and well-rounded picture of refugee life.” —Kirkus Reviews