Walk in My Shoes

We walked off the ferry along the wide, sloping gangplank, and when my feet hit the firm wooden planks of the jetty I staggered, legs suddenly feeling like jelly ...Mum, with Zahra in her arms, wobbled alarmingly ...Taking her hand, I whispered, 'Are we really safe, here?' After a perilous and terrifying journey from war-torn Afghanistan, Gulnessa and her family find themselves in Australia, a place they know nothing about. They are exhausted and traumatised, but so full of hope. At last, somewhere safe to call home. But they soon discover that their struggle isn't over. They are confined in a detention centre for asylum seekers, and forced to prove their refugee status. As days drag into weeks and months, Gulnessa is determined to stay strong. She must keep her family together, and fight for her friend Abdul - with whom she has secretly fallen in love. She cannot give up hope, for a second chance at life, and the opportunity to build a future in a new land. A powerful and moving story of one family's incredible journey. An inspiration for all Australians.

About the Author

Alwyn Evans is a freelance writer, editor and publisher, who began her working life as a teacher. She has written over 35 picture books, as well as teacher reference works and ghost-written autobiographies. Alwyn has edited countless books, and as founding Children's Book Editor for Fremantle Arts Centre Press she established their picture book and young adult lists.

Recently Alwyn and her partner, artist Owen Bell (Bela), created their own publishing imprint, Laughing Gravy, where they work on special projects. Walk in My Shoes is Alwyn's first novel