The Diddakoi

Rumer Godden's poignant novel, "The Diddakoi," introduces readers to Kizzy Lovell, a spirited seven-year-old Romani girl. After the death of her beloved great-grandmother, Kizzy is left an orphan and must adjust to a settled life in a village community. She faces significant prejudice and bullying from the local children and some adults, who shun her because of her Romani heritage. The story explores themes of grief, loss, social marginalization, and the search for belonging, as Kizzy bravely navigates a hostile environment and slowly begins to find kindness and acceptance. It's a powerful story about resilience and empathy, set in rural England.

A young Gypsy girl is shunned by the children in her village because she lives in a covered wagon. And when her guardian great-grandmother dies, she must adjust to a new life and learn to accept life's inequities.