This is the story of 12 year-old Sade and her brother Femi who flee to Britain from Nigeria. Their father is a political journalist who refuses to stop criticising the military rulers in Nigeria. Their mother is killed and they are sent to London, with their father promising to follow. Abandoned at Victoria Station by the woman paid to bring them to England as her children, Sade and Femi find themselves alone in a new, often hostile, environment. Seen through the eyes of Sade, the novel explores what it means to be classified as 'illegal' and the difficulties which come with being a refugee.

With endnotes including the UN Convention and Rights of the Child charter

WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2000 and the NESTLE SMARTIES SILVER AWARD 2000

'A marvellous read ... that refuels the desire for justice and freedom' - Jon Snow

'Beverley Naidoo breaks the rules, producing books for young people which recognize that they want to know about the real world'- Guardian