This is the story of a young Rwandan refugee now living in the UK. Christophe is having trouble getting used to his new school, new language and new life. Life has been very lonely for him. Most of all he misses his grandfather who they had to leave behind. His teacher persuades Christophe to share his story with his classmates - so he tells them of the terrifying day the soldiers came to his house and killed his baby brother. The spoken story fills the air and his classmates are spellbound. But when his teacher asks him to write it down and read it out in assembly, Christophe is horrified. You lose the fire from a story once you write it down! But with the help of his new friends, his family and the memory of his beloved grandfather, Christophe finds a way to break through the barriers - and share his story with everyone.

 

 

This book is part of a book series called Literacy Evolve .

This book has been graded for interest at 8-11 years.

There are 80 pages in this book. This book was published in 2011 by Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd .

Karin Littlewood has recently started illustrating children's books - she spends time in inner city schools painting and drawing the children. She lives in London. Karin Littlewood studied Graphic Design at the University of Northumbria, followed by an MA in illustration at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked in editorial, packaging, design and advertising, as well as publishing. Her work has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal three times. Nicki Cornwell has previously worked as a social worker, a teacher and a university lecturer. She now divides her time as an author and French language interpreter. She lives in Walthamstow, London.