"Let me tell you a story... a true story": Michaela Morgan introduces her inspiring new non-fiction book 'Star!'
We’re incredibly excited to be launching our first ever non-fiction title this June!
To date, Troika has published books in three categroies: fiction, poetry and picture books. But when something comes along that’s this good, well, how could we resist?!
Intrigued? Here’s author Michaela Morgan to tell you a little more…
“Let me tell you a storyl…
“How about a story of danger and daring, adventure and achievement, struggle and strength, travel, resilience, hope… And sport!
“Allow me to offer a story to grip you, amaze you and inspire you. And let it be a true story – the true-life story of a girl who started life in a war-torn country where she was silenced, restricted, afraid and deprived of education and possibilities.
“This girl, along with her four sisters and her mum, travelled thousands of miles to start a new life. This girl had a second chance at life and used it to become a star footballer – playing for her new national team, Denmark, and then for some of the other best teams in the world in the USA, UK, France and Italy.
“This girl, instead of being silenced, learned language after language – and now has the ability to express herself in many tongues. She can be outspoken on several different continents. She has become a public speaker and a pundit and is not afraid to raise issues. She became a UNESCO champion for girls’ and women’s education as well as a star footballer – and also a fully qualified doctor and surgeon.
“This girl blazes a trail for other young people to follow.
“Star! is the story of that girl, now a woman. It’s the story of Nadia Nadim.
“It’s a real challenge to write a story about someone who’s still living and still changing. I’ve had to cross genres, mixing hard facts and concrete details with some wonder and imagination and creativity.
“Facts that have been only recently established can have a habit of shifting. Attitudes can change. New information can emerge. Stories are not set in stone. They can bloom and grow as they’re passed on and shared - but this is my contribution o this particular story. I offer you a story to engage, to enjoy, to inspire. It’s a story that helps develop understanding, empathy, resilience and kindness. Only once before have I stumbled upon a story with so much power to inspire. I told that story 20 years ago. It’s still in print - and now here, at last, is another.
“Nadia Nadim, the subject of this book, has developed her strength and power. The reader of this book has power too – the reader can keep a check on developing situations and be prepared to add information and question information. Readers can investigate, interpret and decide - because the story continues. The story always continues…
“I hope you enjoy it!“
Discover more at www.troikabooks.com/star
Michaela Morgan has written books of all sorts. Her books number about 200 - some are fiction, some are fact, some are poetry, and some are a mix. She has won, or been shortlisted for, many awards including the BBC Blue Peter Book Award (twice). This is her second time writing about a truly inspirational real-life character. In the past she has written about Walter Tull in Respect and in Walter Tull’s Scrapbook. Tull became not just the first black British outfield football player but also the first black officer in the British Army. Now here’s another amazing life to celebrate!
