Aden: 1935. A city vibrant, alive, and full of hidden dangers. And home to Jama, a ten year-old boy. When his mother dies unexpectedly and he finds himself alone in the world he is forced home to his native Somalia, the land of his nomadic ancestors. War is on the horizon and the fascist Italian forces who control parts of east Africa are preparing for battle. Yet Jama cannot rest until he discovers whether his father is alive somewhere. And so begins an epic journey which will take Jama north through Djibouti, Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt. And from there, aboard a ship to Britain and freedom. This story of one boy's long walk to freedom is also the story of how the Second World War affected Africa and its people; a story of displacement and family.