Suleikha, Leo and Kai, a group of 12-year-olds known as the Freezies, befriend the intriguing and larger-than-life Mr Christaki, a traveller who camps with his converted school bus on their village green. When revealed as a refugee from Syria, he disappears with his four-year-old adopted daughter. The Freezies come up with a risky and audacious scheme to expose his desperate plight on national TV in an attempt to prevent his deportation.

Closely following the lives of three young people in today’s Britain, The Freezies is a call for compassion and understanding for those fleeing war and oppression in our troubled times.

Praise for The Freezies:

“This is a beautiful story about the power of young people to raise awareness and encourage empathy.” —–The Children’s Book Review

“With its message of social justice, compassion, and the plight of immigrants fleeing oppression in their home countries, The Freezies is especially appropriate for young readers ages 12-14. Exceptionally well written for a young readership . . .  (it) is an ideal and recommended pick for family, middle school, and community library collections.” – Midwest Book Review, November 2024

“Dhondy’s writing is fluent and vivid, and the children’s attempts to save their new friend from deportation show courage and tenaciousness.” – The Literary Review, July 2024

“A rich tapestry of diversity.” – Highly recommended review by CM Reviews 4 stars, June 2024

“Young activists set an example for their community in this accessible adventure that conveys both humor and pathos” – Kirkus Reviews, June 2024