Blurb
A cheeky, fun and fast-moving tale of two Lebanese–Australian kids who escape their horrible babysitter by running away … to the other side of the world.
Blurb
Huda’s sitting in the airport lounge, fiddling with our tickets. I can tell she’s excited because she has a little smile on her face and she keeps glancing at her pink digital watch. I can’t believe we’re doing this. I can’t believe we’re running away from home. Well, we’re not really running away. We’ll come back. We’re running to our parents. On the other side of the world.
A warm, hilarious story of sibling love, adventure and courage, Huda and Me is one of a kind.
Buy Huda and Me:
'Huda and Me is a fresh and tender tale that will leave an imprint on your heart. This book will make you chuckle, gasp and may leave you teary-eyed.
I'm sure readers will relate to Akeal's hilarious and loving family, led by the loud and proud Huda. I absolutely adore this book and can't wait for this fresh voice to be unleashed in the kid lit scene!'
Oliver Phammavanh
Author, Comedian, Teacher, Gamer & Nerd!
'Sparkling with mischief, adventure and family love, Huda and Me is a gem of a story. Hayek writes with warmth, humour and a keen understanding of children's capacity for loyalty and courage.
A brilliant new talent in Australian children's literature.'
Kirsty Murray
Author of Children's Fiction
When their parents make a sudden trip back to their home country of Lebanon, Huda and Akeal find themselves left with their fellow siblings under the care of a family friend. Missing their parents and tired of the strict rules and increasingly erratic behaviour of their new carer, Huda hatches an intricate plan to set things right, bringing her older brother into her confidence to help see the plan through.
From stolen credit cards to cunning escapes and international travel, Huda and Me is a heartwarming, funny and action-packed tale about family, culture and, most of all, sibling love. H Hayek has created two unique, likeable characters in the brave and determined Huda and her kind and more reserved brother Akeal.
Hayek’s storytelling pulls the reader directly into the siblings’ world, as they venture to Beirut and go to extraordinary lengths to bring their family back together. With Huda and Me, Hayek has written a highly original story of adventure and daring, spinning a tale cleverly crafted with energy, emotion and mischief that explores the intersections between cultures and touches on themes of identity, prejudice and belonging.
Aimed at a readership of nine and up, this novel will be sure to capture readers’ minds and hearts.
M H Alessandrino
Perth-based freelance Writer and Reviewer
Meet vivacious, courageous, precocious Huda and her quiet, patient, big-hearted older brother Akeal. Their parents were unexpectedly called away to Beirut, leaving them in the hands of their horrible babysitter, Aunt Amel. They have a plan.
Well actually, it’s really Huda’s plan and Akeal is just going along to protect her like a big brother should. Not that Akeal is too sure it’s such a good idea for them to have run away from home, and to be boarding a plane flying to Lebanon alone. What with him being only 12. And Huda … well, Huda is much smaller, and no matter what she may think, someone does need to keep an eye on her. Perhaps their parents will understand, when they show up unexpectedly on the other side of the world, that Aunt Amel was truly awful after all.
This is where H. Hayek’s debut middle-grade novel Huda and Me starts. Hayek’s novel is a cheeky, fun and heartfelt adventure that will have you laughing out loud. It provides a wonderful insight into the lives of a loving Lebanese-Australian family, with all its complex relationships to culture, religion, family and food, as they navigate their adventure both at home and abroad. This tale of sibling love and learning to embrace difference teaches as it entertains, with a fresh fast-paced text and style. Perfect for readers ages 8+.
Claire Atherfold
Manager and the Children’s Book Buyer at Readings State Library.