Refugee

Wow! One of my students forgot this book in my classroom one afternoon (I teach middle school); so I picked it up to see what it was about. I couldn't put it down! Probably not since I read, "Number the Stars," have I been more moved and engrossed in a story that is both touching and relevant. I'm hoping to get funds to buy a class set and study this with my classes next year. Great job Mr. Gratz and thank you Karley for forgetting your library book ;-)

I am a fourth grade teacher and have been looking for a new book to read aloud and I think this is the one! This book includes figurative language, lots of connections between the characters, historically accurate details that could be explored much further, connections with modern issues regarding refugees, and so much more. There is definitely some mature content discussed as Josef’s father recounts some of his experiences in a concentration camp, and the word “pissed” is used once. Would recommend this book for mature young readers only, or as a read aloud where an adult can be present to answer questions about our not always so pleasant history. This book is a page turner, but be prepared to have tissues at hand! I cried more than once. Without giving away too many details, just know this isn’t your typical “happily ever after” novel. It is a very realistic fiction that deals with the real challenges of being a refugee. People die, are separated, lost, reunited and go on to make an impact. Pick up this book whether you’re 10 or 50 for a great book that is an easy read!!Update: My class read this book as our last book of the year... I had a number of students say this was their favorite books we read all year (we read six other novels). I ended up using the audio book and it was a great decision! It was read by three different narrators and made it even more realistic! Such a great book that led to so many great connections and conversations. We had an amazing discussion at the end of the book and I feel good about helping shape my students views of acceptance and refugees.

Written to garner specific emotions. Manipulative. Too political.

I like to read a book before I give it to one of my great-grandsons. I bought this for our ten year old. It was very engaging, but upon reading it, I elected to shelve it for another year or two. I think a 12 to 13 year old boy or girl would enjoy it.

Based on real stories, real characters in history and of today, Alan Gratz alternates telling the tragic tales of three times in history when refugees were in frantic need of escaping their homes. There is JOSEF, a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. Hitler has given the ultimatum to Jews that they must leave Germany or be taken to concentration camps. They have fourteen days. He and his family board a ship named the St. Louis, bound for Cuba.And there is ISABEL a Cuban girl in 1994. In the midst of riots and her father heading for arrest, Castro has said that those who leave will not be arrested. She and her family set out on a cobbled together boat, hoping to find safety in America. Finally, there is MAHMOUD, a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe. All of us have heard parts of these stories, but when written from the viewpoints of early adolescents, sadness almost overwhelms me. How can others find the cruelty to treat children this way? How can it be that children must endure such terrible experiences in their young lives? Alan respects the children’s feelings in his storytelling, but shows how they learn to take charge, how they learn they “must” take charge to help. They give up their childhood to help save their families. There is hope in every part; even in the darkest passages, small kindnesses appear. Learning of children’s lives in all parts of our world is something that will help readers gain sympathy for those who need help. Alan Gratz wrote a long afterword about his research for each time period, and ways we can help today.

Told in three voices, this powerful trio of stories can't help but stir empathy in readers. A timely read. I especially loved how the three lives somehow touched each other at the end-masterful!Highly recommended!'They only see us when we do something they don't want us to do,' Mahmoud realized. The thought hit him like a lightning bolt. When they stayed where they were supposed to be-in the ruins of Aleppo or behind the fences of a refugee camp-people could forget about them. But when refugees did something they didn't want them to do-when they tried to cross the border into their country, or slept on the front stoops of their shops, or jumped in front of their cars, or prayed on the decks of their ferries-that's when people couldn't ignore them any longer.A calm came over Lito, as though he'd come to some sort of understanding, some decision. 'I see it now, Chabela. All of it. The past, the present, the future. All my life, I kept waiting for things to get better. For the bright promise of manana. But a funny thing happened while I was waiting for the world to change; Chabela: It didn't. Because I didn't change it. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. Take care of your mother and baby brother for me.'See us, Mahmoud thought. Hear us. Help us.

REFUGEE powerfully connects the perils of refugees past and the plight of refugees present in this timely story. Alan Gratz carefully weaves the settings of WWII Nazi Germany, 1990’s Cuba, and modern day Aleppo in these three intricate stories that journey separately and ultimately together. The daunting journeys of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud will grip young readers and show them that being a refugee is not a choice, but it is a matter of life and death, and the journey to find peace and a place to live in safety is far from a crime. I hope young readers will move through the alternating stories of these young, brave refugees, and wonder if they would ever be so bold and so courageous, and when they hear stories on the news or read the headlines, they will remember Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud, and remember that there are children currently running for their lives and then wonder what they can do to help.

This book is just purely amazing, start to finish. From the plot, to the way the author lets you emphasize with the characters, this novel is absolutely wonderful.Follow Josef, a Jewish boy on his journey to escape from the Nazi's with his family and his plea to go and live in Cuba. What happens when they are not accepted and turned away? It's set in 1939, and This ends on quite the biggest cliffhanger known to man.Set in 1994, watch Isabel flee from Cuba and its unfair leader, to go and find refuge in the United States. But to get there, they must cross part of a huge ocean, in a boat, with her bestfriend's not-so-welcoming family. Will they get there safely?Then there's Muhamad (I don't think I've spelt that right!) A Syrian boy escaping from the huge city Aleppo, and over to Germany to keep away from the deadly attacks they have to face almost daily. Along with his family, he'll need to get across many countriess before he arrives in Germany. Just a few include Hungary, Austria, Turkey. Don't forget having to cross the Mediterranean in a black, inflatable liferaft with many others. With other places starting to turn refugees away, will his journey end in life, or death? (Set in 2015)This is my favourite one by far.Josef's story ends on a cliffhanger, but there is a kind of 'link' for lack of any other word, with Muhamad's story at the end, letting you know his fate.I highly recommend this book. It's the most riveting story ever. Well worth the money. As a quick reader, it took me a good few days of total reading to finish.A good age range to buy for is probably 9-14. Even older ones would probably still enjoy it lots.Consider buying this riveting story, you will not regret!^_^By Sophie aged 11 :DP.S: Sorry for any typos!

I am reading this with my 11 year old son and we are both loving it. Three really strong character’s stories that are clear to follow. My son is learning so much - lots of issues raised and questions being asked. Highly recommend this book.

Cleverly structured and mostly manages to cover a tricky subject for young readers in without seeming overly preachy or simplistic.

Three emotional and powerful tales of refugees being displaced from their homes, cleverly intertwined and very well-written.

A must read for anyone who wants to understand the plight of refugees.