The Cats We meet Along the Way

Nadia Mikhail

Multi-award nominated and winner of the Waterstones Children’s Prize 2023, this is a compelling and original debut YA book set in Malaysia. Author Nadia Mikhail won the Guppy Open Submission.

With the end of the world announced, seventeen year old Aisha sets off with her mother, her boyfriend Walter, his parents and Fleabag, a stray cat to find her sister June who left home two years ago. Along the way they revisit old haunts, make peace with past memories and consider their lack of a future.

Despite the overarching themes of grief and loss, this is an uplifting read. It gently explores acceptance, forgiveness and the importance of family relationships as it moves easily between the past and the present. It is unusual and I loved it! 

Published by Guppy Books

Reviewed by Rachel Bolton