Maryam's Wish

By Fariza Ahmadova

Like many other girls, Maryam always dreamed of having a sister. One day, on her way home, Maryam met a girl called Shusha. Even though Shusha was not able to speak, she was able to hear. Maryam couldn’t leave Shusha alone on the cold street and so she took her with her. Slowly, despite the difficulties Mayram and Shusha grew into the closest friends. But then Shusha discovers a musical talent, which changes her life. Will Maryam’s and Shusha’s friendship overcome the difficulties? Discover a touching story in the heart of the Caucasus-Azerbaijan, revolving around four women. This book is about the importance of accepting societal differences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781528969840

Book preview

Front.jpg

Fariza Ahmadova is a children’s author who takes children’s literature seriously, echoing societal issues in a playful tone. Fariza is Azerbaijani/Swiss, and lives in Geneva, Switzerland. She was inspired to write her first book after the birth of her daughter. Fariza believes that authors of children’s books have an important responsibility at diffusing the right messages, even for the youngest readers.

Copyright © Fariza Ahmadova 2024

The right of Fariza Ahmadova to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528939188 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528939195 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781528969840 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

To Girls.

To my heritage, that keeps inspiring me.

Chapter 1

The girl whom this story is about is called Maryam. She is just about your age and lives in Azerbaijan, in the far away caucuses where mountains are sky-piercing and the sun is bright.

Just like any one of us, Maryam had a best friend. Unlike some of us, her best friend was her grandmother, Gyulnaz. She called her nene¹