Refugee

Alan Gratz's "Refugee" masterfully weaves together three distinct narratives of young people seeking asylum. Josef, a Jewish boy in 1930s Germany, escapes the Nazis; Isabel, a Cuban girl in 1994, flees political unrest; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015, escapes civil war. Each child endures immense hardship, from perilous sea voyages and bombings to family separation and loss. The novel explores themes of resilience, empathy, and the human cost of conflict, ultimately revealing powerful, unexpected connections between their stories. It's a gripping and educational read for middle graders, prompting important discussions about history and current events.

Three different kids. One mission in common: ESCAPE. Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world… Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety and freedom in America… Mahmoud is 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 three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers–from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, surprising connections will tie their stories together in the end.