Soraya the Storyteller

Soraya the Storyteller by Rosanne Hawke tells the poignant tale of Soraya, an 11-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan living under the shadow of a temporary protection visa. Soraya and her family embark on a new journey as they settle in a South Australian town.

For the first time, Soraya attends school, having previously been taught at home. Determined to succeed, she studies diligently with the hope of advancing to a higher class, which would increase her chances of staying in Australia. Along the way, she begins to forge new friendships, not only with classmates but also with the 'possum man' who resides in her street.

Soraya is haunted by memories of her past in Kabul, where her older sister and brother lost their lives, and her beloved brother Qamar was forcibly recruited by the Taliban. The pain of losing her father, who died in prison, lingers. She recalls the arduous journey to Australia and the year spent in a detention centre, marking their path to seeking refuge.