OUP Children’s buys refugee crisis title

Oxford University Press (OUP) Children’s has acquired a novel about the refugee crisis by Gill Lewis.

Story Like the Wind, Gill’s sixth novel with OUP, is about a young violinist who tells his fellow travellers a story about how music can inspire people to stand up against oppression.

Lewis said: “For me, one of the most poignant images of the refugee crisis is one of a young Syrian playing his violin in front of a barricade of riot police at a border control. It is a powerful image, showing how music can cross barriers of language, intolerance and fear and tell our shared stories of love and loss, and of our hopes and dreams. Rami's story is also one of our time. It belongs to us all.”

Liz Cross, head of publishing, children’s books, bought the world rights Victoria Birkett of Miles Stott and will publish 4th May 2017 (h/b, £8.99). The story will be illustrated by Jo Weaver, whose agent is Penny Holroyde of Holroyde Cartey.

Amnesty International UK have endorsed Story Like the Wind and will be working with OUP on a number of joint activities including education materials and events.

Nicky Parker, publisher at Amnesty International UK, said the book “celebrates our common humanity and upholds the human rights values of love, friendship, kindness, home, family, culture and safety”.

She added: “In telling the stories of individual refugees, Gill Lewis shows that no-one puts themselves and their children in a flimsy boat on the open seas unless they are persecuted and desperate.”