Mahtab's Story

Mahtab was empty. She felt hungry--for water, for her father, for her grandmother, her aunts and uncles, for the trees in the back yard, the cabinet on the wall, the silver and glass objects so lovingly collected, for her mountains, the jagged peaks that cut the sky.

Her father was dead. She felt sure of it. She was just a speck of dirt on the floor, drifting through the gap between the boards, falling to the ground.

Mahtab and her family are forced to leave their home in Herat and journey secretly through the rocky mountains to Pakistan and from there to faraway Australia. Months go by, months of waiting, months of dread. Will they ever be reunited with their father, will they ever find a home?

This compelling novel by one of Australia's best-loved children's authors is based on the true story of one girl's voyage to Australia with her family.

'An important, eye-opening book.' Deborah Ellis

'Kept me turning pages and holding my breath.an amazing story that me and all of my friends love.' - Inez, 12

Short-listed for Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards 2009 (Australia)

“"Subtle, direct, and profound."”

--"Booklist "starred review of "Half a World Away"

Libby Gleeson AO is a popular and highly acclaimed writer who has published over twenty books for children and teenagers, including Eleanor, Elizabeth, I Am Susannah, Dodger, Love Me, Love Me Not and the Hannah series.She has been shortlisted for the CBCA Awards thirteen times and won an award three times: in 1997 for Hannah and the Tomorrow Room; in 2002, with illustrator Armin Greder, for An Ordinary Day; and in 2007, with illustrator Freya Blackwood, for Amy and Louis. The Great Bear (with Armin Greder) won the Bologna Ragazzi in 2000, the first time an Australian title has won this prestigious award. Her most recent publication with Allen & Unwin is I Am Thomas (with Armin Greder), published in 2011.

Libby has been a teacher and lecturer and is active in writers' organisations, chairing the Australian Society of Authors 1999-2001. She is currently a director of the Public Education Foundation and of The Copyright Agency Limited, and chair of WestWords, the Western Sydney Children's and Youth Literature project. In 2007, Libby was awarded membership to the Order of Australia for her services to literature. See also Libby's website:

The vivid and compelling story of a young girl fleeing Afghanistan with her family and their journey to Australia. Inspired by a true story. Mahtab was empty. She felt hungry--for water, for her father, for her grandmother, her aunts and uncles, for the trees in the back yard, the cabinet on the wall, the silver and glass objects so lovingly collected, for her mountains, the jagged peaks that cut the sky. Her father was dead. She felt sure of it. She was just a speck of dirt on the floor, drifting through the gap between the boards, falling to the ground. Mahtab and her family are forced to leave their home in Herat and journey secretly through the rocky mountains to Pakistan and from there to faraway Australia. Months go by, months of waiting, months of dread. Will they ever be reunited with their father, will they ever find a home? This compelling novel by one of Australia's best-loved children's authors is based on the true story of one girl's voyage to Australia with her family. 'An important, eye-opening book.' Deborah Ellis 'Kept me turning pages and holding my breath.an amazing story that me and all of my friends love.' - Inez, 12

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