About the Our Stories Carried Us Here Graphic Novel Voice of Refuge

Zaynab Abdi chronicles her journey from Somalia to Yemen and ultimately the United States, where she shares a stage with Malala and becomes a voice for refuge. Her graphic memoir is told in both English and Arabic.

Zaynab was born in Somalia and raised by her grandmother in Yemen, where they experienced a simple but beautiful life before unrest came to the country. Follow Zaynab as she flees to Egypt with her sister. Feel the love she is greeted with in America when she joins her mother and two sisters she has never met. Watch her grow as an advocate as she takes on the leadership opportunities within high school and university. Upon meeting Malala Yousafzai, and speaking at the United Nations, she becomes a voice for refuge.

"In America I found MY REFUGE, and my education. Now I use MY VOICE and speak out in order to promote more justice in the world." - Zaynab Abdi

The stunning black ink drawings come from the pen of Egyptian born artist Ashraf El-Attar. Voice for Refuge will be a powerful addition to classrooms and school libraries, expanding their collections to include the voice of Black, Muslim, Middle Eastern immigrant girls and women.