*Mishka by Edward van de Vendel

Mishka is the gentle, heartwarming story of refugees and rabbits finding home.

*Miskha by Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman, illustrated by Annet Schaap and translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier. Levine Querido (Scholastic), 2024, 144 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 6-9 as a read-aloud, 7-12 for independent readers.

On the very first night in their new home, Roya is just beginning to realize that her family will never have to return to Afghanistan. She was only three when they had to leave, because Papa believed in free thought and in teaching girls, and the government didn’t believe in either. It was flee or prison for Papa, and possibly Mama, too—so they fled. It took five years for their refugee status to be approved, but now Papa and oldest brother Bashir have work, the family has their own little house, and Roya has her own little room. What they need now, she decides, is a little pet. Something white, with fur.

Upon walking into the pet shop she sees

a dwarf rabbit. When we came in, he was sitting up. He looked as if he was thinking, “Hey.” And that’s just what I was thinking: “Hey.” But right after that I thought, YESSS,” because the dwarf rabbit was also thinking, “YESSS.” I saw it and I heard it in my head. And what I also heard in my head was his name.

Mishka quickly becomes one of the family, even though Roya’s parents and her three older brothers know he belongs to her. But now that they are settled and the tension has eased, Mishka’s soft, warm body and gentle nature become an avenue for memories. Especially for Roya, who doesn’t remember much of their journey. As her parents and brothers stroke Mishka’s ears and back, they work through some fearful events—danger, exhaustion, near starvation. These memories affect Roya, especially when Miska experiences his own kind of “refugee” trauma.

It’s a beautiful story of ordinary joys triumphing over extraordinary hardship. It’s also a physically beautiful book: tightly bound with colorful, atmospheric illustrations and even a ribbon marker. The family doesn’t seem to be especially religious (a mosque is mentioned once), but their experience has bound them together and it’s touching how Roya’s brothers dote on their little sister. There’s a happy ending, but the happier theme is love winning out over sorrow.

Bottom Line: A sweet and poignant exploration of the refugee experience through the medium of a loveable pet.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: Lots of books about refugees, such as Refugee, Family Style, The Shelter and the Fence, American Shoes, and Cuba in My Pocket.
• Review: We gave a star to another refugee story: When Stars Are Scattered.

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.

Order Mishka from Amazon.