'A vital book for our times' ROBERT MACFARLANE 'Unflinching, complex, provocative' NIKESH SHUKLA 'A work of astonishing, insistent importance' Observer Aged eight, Dina Nayeri fled Iran along with her mother and brother, and lived in the crumbling shell of an Italian hotel-turned-refugee camp. Eventually she was granted asylum in America. Now, Nayeri weaves together her own vivid story with those of other asylum seekers in recent years. In these pages, women gather to prepare the noodles that remind them of home, a closeted queer man tries to make his case truthfully as he seeks asylum and a translator attempts to help new arrivals present their stories to officials. Surprising and provocative, The Ungrateful Refugee recalibrates the conversation around the refugee experience. Here are the real human stories of what it is like to be forced to flee your home, and to journey across borders in the hope of starting afresh.

Troubled Transit considers the situation of asylum seekers stuck in limbo in Indonesia from a number of perspectives. It presents not only the narratives of many transit migrants but also the perceptions of Indonesian authorities and of representatives of international and non-government organizations responsible for the care of transiting asylum seekers. Fascinated by the extraordinary and seemingly limitless resilience shown by asylum seekers during their often lengthy and dangerous journeys, the author highlights one particular fragment of their journeys — their time in Indonesia, which many expect to be the last stepping stone to a new life. While they long for their new life to unfold, most asylum seekers become embroiled in the complexities of living in transit. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is more than a location where people spend time waiting; it is a nation state that interacts with transiting asylum seekers and formulates policies that have a profound impact on their experience in transit there. Troubled Transit tries to explain the complexities faced by the transiting migrants within the context of the Indonesian government and its political challenges, including its relationship with Australia. The Australia-centric view of recent asylum seeker issues has tended to ignore the larger socio-political context of the migratory routes and the perspectives of transit states towards asylum seekers stuck in transit. This book hopes to direct the Australia-centric gaze northwards to take Indonesian policies and policymaking into account, thereby giving Indonesia more relevance as a transit country and as an important partner in regional protection schemes and migration management. Even though some Indonesian policies and practices are less than favourable for asylum seekers, and even reprehensible from a human rights perspective, more attention must be paid to ongoing developments that impact on transiting asylum seekers in Indonesia if any of the hardships they suffer there are to be alleviated.

A Country of Refuge is a poignant, thought-provoking and timely anthology of writing on asylum seekers from some of Britain and Ireland’s most influential voices. Compiled and edited by human rights activist and writer Lucy Popescu, this powerful collection of short fiction, memoir, poetry and essays explores what it really means to be a refugee: to flee from conflict, poverty and terror; to have to leave your home and family behind; and to undertake a perilous journey, only to arrive on less than welcoming shores. These writings are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The contributors articulate simple truths about migration that will challenge the way we think about and act towards the dispossessed and those forced to seek a safe place to call home.

Across 30 chapters, a team of experienced teachers and practitioners introduce the fundamental professional issues concerning children, young people and their families in the 21st century. Working with Children and Families explores the diverse contexts in which children develop, and the policies and practices that directly affect them – essential knowledge for effective practice. Offering a multidisciplinary approach, this inclusive text gives a broad range of perspectives to support the study of children and childhood. Take a look inside to discover more about: - Key policies and agendas: introduces the policies, agendas and government guidance that serve as the foundation of children's services. - Contemporary issues: tackles complex topics such as anti-discriminatory and ethical practice, child protection and safeguarding. - Reflective practice: offers reflective activities throughout to help you engage, understand and apply knowledge in practice. - Diversity: helps you understand the variety of backgrounds and experiences children may have – from sociological, psychological, educational and cultural perspectives. - Integrative working: focuses holistically on the child, rather than on specific professional approaches, offering insight into important themes in all areas of work with children. This text offers a broad basis from which to launch into any area of work or study involving children, including early years, social work, education, social policy, nursing, sociology and childhood studies. It is great introductory reading for foundation and undergraduate degree level students.

Ethnic monitoring of Gypsy Roma Travellers since 2003 has resulted in their education becoming a national priority, supported by the National Strategies and the OFSTED inspection framework. A national network of Traveller Education Support Services works to enable Gypsy Roma Travellers to become active participants in their children's education, schools and local authorities to respond to their needs, and pupils to have continuity of education through transitions and when mobile. This book aims to provide the basic background information for anyone involved in supporting this process. The information is organised in accessible, cross-referenced sections so readers can go straight to the section most relevant to their needs.

There are many misconceptions about young refugees and asylum seekers in Britain. Declan Henry dispels the myths and gives a compassionate and empathetic view of the daily struggles they face including discrimination, racism and poverty. This book explores the reasons why they came to the UK and the safeguarding issues involved, the services they receive and the gaps and inequalities in the system as a whole. The injustice of long Home Office delays in the processing of applications and appeal processes are outlined and, as it is becoming more difficult for many young people to get Leave to Remain, the impact on their lives in terms of accommodation, education and planning for the future are explored. The author also looks at the emotional and mental health needs of young people including those with undiagnosed learning needs and difficulties. Ultimately, the book paints a graphic picture of what life is like in Britain for young people – cut off from their country of their origin and families – and how they are expected to make a new life in Britain with limited resources. There are works of non-fiction that are not only timely but also extremely important. Young Refugees And Asylum Seekers by author Declan Henry is one of them. The refugee crisis, and the plight of children and young adults, is brought into sharp focus in this powerful, challenging and well-written book. With precision, this author highlights both the lack of resources and unfair treatment of those who enter a new country without a caregiver as well as the monumental efforts of good people who work within a challenging system to exact change while practicing kindness. The importance of seeing children as children first is at the core of this valuable book. And we are reminded that the way we treat the most vulnerable is a testament to who we are, fundamentally, as human beings and a society. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the refugee crisis and to those in search of an opportunity to make a difference. Nancy Richardson Fischer, author of When Elephants Fly, The Speed of Falling Objects

Based on fieldwork among undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers Illegal Traveller offers a narrative of the polysemic nature of borders, border politics, and rituals and performances of border-crossing. Interjecting personal experiences into ethnographic writing it is 'a form of self-narrative that places the self within a social context'.