My Sister the Apple Tree

My Sister and the Apple by Jordan Scott and Jamal Saeed is a quiet, reflective story rooted in childhood imagination and lived experience.
It follows a child who rescues a beloved apple tree seedling when war forces his family to flee their home, blending innocence with themes of struggle, resilience, and determination.

The story does not take sides. Instead, it invites readers to notice the emotional weight of displacement while holding space for hope and new beginnings. The language is gentle and poetic, with lines such as “She’s made friends with the sky. Her blossoms are the same color as the sunrise,” offering a soft entry point into empathy.

The illustrations add further layers of meaning, extending the story beyond the text and allowing readers to linger and interpret. Based on the author’s own refugee experience, this is a moving book best suited for older readers, one that opens a thoughtful window into refugee experiences without instruction or judgement.