What happens when the world around you changes, but the things that make you you remain the same?

Nine-year-old Saad is about to find out. After moving from Jhelum, Pakistan, to Small Heath, Birmingham, he faces his first day at a new school, where even saying his name correctly becomes an important moment. Unfamiliar English words leave him struggling in writing lessons, and mashed potatoes and baked beans are a far cry from the food he misses from home.

Thankfully, Saad meets people who make the day easier. His teacher, Mr Legend, patiently helps him understand classroom activities, while his new friend Yusuf guides him through unfamiliar school routines. When words fail him, Saad turns to art to express his ideas. In Maths, he discovers that numbers are a language he already knows well.

Inspired by the experiences of children growing up between cultures, Misbah Shaheen’s Two Skies, One Saad explores the quiet bravery of starting over, the comfort of familiar traditions, and the importance of being welcomed for who you are.

Through Pakistani heritage, family traditions, music, faith, and new friendships, Saad gradually realises that settling into life in Britain does not mean leaving his roots behind.

Written to help children see their own lives represented and encourage empathy in others, this heartfelt story reminds readers that belonging to two worlds does not mean you have to choose between them.