A Flood of Memories by Nadia Mikail – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: natural disasters, family, secrets, plans.
Children’s book title: A Flood of Memories.
Children’s authors: Nadia Mikail.
Genre: YA fiction.
Published by: Guppy Books.
ISBN: 9781916558748.
Recommended for children aged: 12+.
First published: Paperback June 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: Discussing how environmental disasters can ravage both towns and the surrounding countryside alongside how our past shapes and limits our present and future selves.
Trigger warning: Death of a parent, domestic violence, alcoholism and serious illness.
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Our review:
Leila Roshi is studying for her A levels in Kuala Lumpur and plans to study at university to become a journalist. She hasn’t returned to her village (kampung) since her father died, but the floodwaters are rising and she knows her family needs her. As she travels back, meets her best friend at the local airport, and gets closer to her home in Sarawak, the memories begin to surface. Birthdays when she was a small child, starting school, and how everyday life began to change.
Her father, Pak, had a plan for her, one she wasn’t to deviate from, and the first stage was getting top marks in tests and exams. Failure wouldn’t be tolerated. Her mother, Mak, worked continually. Outside the home, she could be found at a local children’s nursery; other than that, she would be doing housework or in the kitchen, cooking meals which were seldom appreciated and often ridiculed. Leila knew no one could be told what happened behind closed doors, and that there were things she and her mother couldn’t even discuss between themselves, let alone with anyone else!
When she was finally able to leave, Leila’s plan was to close that part of her life down, even if it meant losing contact with family and friends, but then the rains came. Swallowing her fear wasn’t easy, her need to run almost overrode everything else, but then there was a chink in the clouds, a chance meeting, and the realisation that maybe she still had a future that was right there in front of her, if only she was brave enough to grab it.
Our verdict:
A Flood of Memories is both a traumatic and uplifting read that covers difficult subjects sympathetically while interspersing them with the strength of character, family and resilience needed to move on from things you weren’t responsible for, even if accepting that lack of responsibility was the hardest part of all.
The author weaves a story of strength around the environmental issues and Leila’s home life. The past threatens her future and, as the heavy rains and floods move ever closer, memories threaten to take over. Her reluctance to share her story, even when the danger is no longer present, is explained by how she has been conditioned to keep secrets, or lie to stay safe. It isn’t all about Leila, however, and her mother’s part in both her past and current situation presents both women with questions they need answers to if they are to move forward.
There have to be warnings with this book, as it could definitely be triggering and traumatic for some of those reading it with their peers. That doesn’t mean this book is a negative experience. It is full of hope from the start and, even with everything that happens to Leila, there is a positivity here that should spur people to follow their dreams, however long it takes or whatever the reason they might initially hesitate.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Leila’s past has been very difficult and she latches on to two things to help her feel grounded. The swimming and the key both have very different ways of helping. Exercise is known to be very helpful and freeing, but why do you think she needs the key?
- Leila’s Mak wouldn’t leave her husband, even though she had chances to do so. Did you understand and/or sympathise with her reasoning?
- Was Arthur tolerant of Leila’s reluctance to accept his offer of friendship? Did the epilogue change how you thought their future would evolve?
- Alongside Leila’s story is the threat of floods and the environmental impact deforestation has on small villages like Leila’s. What did you learn about the dangers facing countries such as Malaysia, which need to be addressed sooner rather than later?
- Leila’s, Poppy’s and Arthur’s career plans could provide a blueprint for environmental protection in the future. Looking at the three different jobs, how do you think they could work together to get their message across?
Many thanks to Guppy Books for the review copy.
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