Rising Star: Anna Perera, author

Friday 30 January 2009 01:00 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Within a day of taking office, President Obama had ordered the closure of the Guantanamo camp, not to mention an end to "rendition" and torture.

So, with luck, Anna Perera's new novel for young readers will soon be read as a horrifying slice of history. 'Guantanamo Boy' (Puffin, £6.99) follows in pacy and visceral prose the ordeal of 15-year-old Khalid Ahmed from Rochdale.

Kidnapped on a family trip to Pakistan, he soon finds himself behind barbed wire in the sticky heat of Cuba. Born in London to Irish and Sri Lankan parents, Perera has published four other books and, as a teacher, ran a unit for boys excluded from school. Her novel highlights the teenagers sent to the camp as it tugs readers into its vivid nightmare journey.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Rising Star: Anna Perera, author

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering