Refugees

Reach for this book when your teenager is processing global events and needs a humanizing perspective on the refugee crisis or the aftermath of 9/11. This dual-perspective novel follows Johar, an Afghan boy fleeing the Taliban, and Amber, an American girl running away from her life in New York after losing her father. Their paths cross in a way that highlights our shared humanity despite vast cultural differences. The story tackles heavy themes of grief, survival, and displacement with grace and hope. It is appropriate for readers aged 12 and up who are ready for a realistic look at war and its consequences. Parents will appreciate how it builds empathy by showing that even across the globe, young people face similar struggles for identity and safety.