Refugee

Oh my goodness. This book. These characters. Refugee by Alan Gratz is middle grade literature at its finest, and once again, my mind is blown by the quality and richness of the stories that are available to our children. Kid lit has come such a long way since I was little, and I love it so much! I’d heard huge accolades about Refugee, and I’m always a bit nervous to read something when my expectations are set so high. But this book didn't let me down. To the contrary, Refugee exceeded my expectations. Simply put: it was absolutely phenomenal.Refugee tells three seemingly separate stories that all merge in beautiful ways at the end. Josef is a young Jewish boy living in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. With the horrific threat of concentration camps on the near horizon, he boards the St. Louis with his family, seeking refuge on the other side of the world. Isabel is a Cuban girl, and her story is set in 1994 as riots and unrest plague her community and her country. She and her family set out on a scrappy raft for Miami, hoping for freedom and safety. Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. When a bomb strikes his home and his entire world is torn apart by violence, he and his family begin a harrowing journey to Europe. All three kids are driven from their homes due to extreme danger, and all embark on unimaginable voyages towards refuge and freedom.I cannot get over this book. The characterization was stellar. The settings were vivid and authentic, and though the stories shared many similarities, the uniqueness of each journey was made evident through the authors meticulously researched details. The pacing was terrific, the pages begged to be read, and the suspense left me with my heart in my throat. This is a must read -- for learning about world history, for providing windows into the harrowing experiences so many children face on a regular basis, and for recognizing that, despite our differences, we all long for the same things: safety, security, and a welcoming homeland in which to establish our roots. Two trunks up.

This book was a required reading for my 13 year old. She enjoyed the story. It is age appropriate.

My son was deeply moved by the book, gaining a profound understanding of the refugee experience and the human capacity for hope and endurance. "Refugee" is not only an educational read but also an emotional journey that fosters empathy and awareness. Highly recommended for young readers and adults alike, this book is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

SO GOOD! Such a good story! I’ve only read to page 80 or so (and I hate when people write reviews without fully reading, but I can just tell this is good) but SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. My jaw literally drops in some parts. Anyways, book arrived in perfect condition, didn’t look used or anything. If you’re contemplating, BUY THIS BOOK!

Bought this for my tween daughter and she loved it. Even though this book is quite long, it is very well-written and educational. Would definitely recommend.

This is my favorite book of Alan Gratz. I love how he portrays each character and bow we should be mindful of how these events have affected many people today. Working in education, I am grateful that many students can relate to the history of the characters in this book and how they can help people for our their future.

Bought for our 10 y/o daughter and she loves this book! We have bought a few books from this author now as she finds his writing engaging.

From my 11-year-old: I initially thought the book would be just ok and boring, but then I read it, and this is the best book I've ever read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about refugees.

Tudo ok.

A wonderful story for an adolescent to read that teaches them about historical events while making the stories exciting through fiction. A bit of a heavy theme but done in an extraordinary way. Would recommend for 12+.

Builds up the understanding and empathy in the right measure towards the plight of the suffering humanity.

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