Mahtab's Story

Reach for this book when your child is processing news of global conflict or asking deep questions about what it means to truly lose one's home. It is a vital resource for children who are beginning to develop a global conscience or for those who may be struggling with a major life transition of their own. Mahtab's Story follows a young girl's harrowing escape from Afghanistan to Australia, capturing the visceral sensory loss of leaving behind family and familiar landscapes. While the journey is fraught with fear and uncertainty, the narrative focuses on the unbreakable bonds of family and the quiet power of hope. It is an emotionally honest portrayal of the refugee experience that helps middle schoolers build empathy for the displaced while reinforcing the idea that resilience can carry us through even the darkest times. It is best suited for ages 10 to 14 due to its realistic depiction of peril and grief.