Ingrid Laguna Livres

Jamila is happy in her new home in Australia, though she still misses her old life in Iraq. She and her new best friend Eva sing side-by-side in the choir at school and have picnics together on the weekends.One day, Jamila gets some exciting news: Mina, her oldest friend from Iraq, is coming to Australia. Jamila can’t wait to see her and introduce her to Eva. But when Mina arrives, things do not go as planned.Jamila feels torn between her two friends, and sad that Mina isn’t the same person she remembers. Can Jamila be a true friend to Mina, and help her feel safe and happy in her new home?

Jamila has left her friends, her school and her home in Iraq, and now she has a new home. It’s safe in Australia, but Jamila is finding it hard to settle in. She misses her best friend and worries for her dad’s safety back in Iraq. It’s hard to speak and write in English all day. And Jamila has a secret she wants to keep hidden.When she joins the choir, Jamila begins to feel happy. Singing helps take her worries away. And singing will help her find her place in her new life, a place where she can shine.Songbird is a tender story about belonging, about the importance of friendship and asking for help, and about the parts of our lives we keep concealed.

The memoir recounts the poignant journey of a young mother facing the challenges of premature motherhood. Ingrid Laguna shares her experiences, from her rebellious youth and life in a girl band to her struggles with IVF and the emotional turmoil of giving birth to twin sons at just 23 weeks. Through her story of love, loss, and resilience, she explores the depths of fear and powerlessness that accompany the threat of losing a child. Ultimately, it is a testament to the strength of love and the ability to find joy amid unimaginable hardship.

A heartwarming story about a young girl taking action to clean up her local creek, from beloved middle-grade author Ingrid Laguna.