A parent might reach for this book when their child is asking questions about refugees in the news or when they want to build empathy for new students at school. This nonfiction graphic novel shares five powerful, true-life stories of young people forced to flee their homes in countries like Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. It directly addresses themes of resilience, belonging, fear, and the search for safety. Appropriate for older middle-grade readers, the book's visual format makes these complex global issues accessible. It is an excellent choice for parents who want to put a human face on the headlines and start a meaningful conversation about compassion and the diverse experiences of migrants.
Some narrators briefly describe facing prejudice or being bullied in their new country.
Scary ScenesMild
The journeys to safety are often dangerous and filled with uncertainty.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the realities of war, displacement, family separation, and discrimination. The approach is personal and biographical, not political or religious, though cultural identity (including Muslim identity for some narrators) is present. The resolution of each story is hopeful, focusing on the individual's resilience and success in building a new life, while honestly acknowledging the pain and loss involved.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful 11 to 14-year-old who is starting to pay attention to world events and has questions about social justice. It is also an invaluable resource for a child who is new to the country themselves, or for a child who wants to be a better friend to a new classmate who is a refugee or immigrant.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview the stories from Syria and Ukraine, as they contain illustrations depicting bombings and the destruction of war that could be upsetting. A pre-reading conversation defining terms like 'refugee' and 'asylum seeker' would be very helpful. The book works best as a shared reading experience to allow for questions. The parent notices their child expressing curiosity or confusion about refugees seen on the news. Or, a new student who has immigrated has joined the child's class, and the parent wants to give their child a tool for understanding and empathy.
Age Experience
A 10 or 11-year-old will likely connect with the personal stories of losing a home, missing friends, and the challenge of starting a new school. A 13 or 14-year-old is more likely to grasp the larger political context, the nuances of cultural identity, and the themes of systemic injustice and the importance of advocacy.
What Makes It Special
Unlike single-narrative stories, its anthology format is its greatest strength. By presenting five unique journeys from different continents and conflicts, it powerfully illustrates that there is no single 'refugee story'. The graphic novel format makes these emotionally heavy, real-life accounts highly accessible and immediate for young readers.
Read plot summary
This book is a nonfiction graphic novel anthology containing five distinct first-person memoirs from authors who arrived in the UK as refugees or migrants. The authors are Ada Jusic (from Bosnia), Marie Bamyani (from Afghanistan), Nadine Kaadan (from Syria), Ramzee (from Zimbabwe), and Sonya Zhurenko (from Ukraine). Each story details the life they left behind, the often perilous journey they undertook, and the complex process of adapting to a new country, culture, and language, including the challenges of loneliness and the life-changing impact of kindness.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In Ramzee’s story from Zimbabwe, he describes becoming a 'cultural chameleon' to fit in. What do you think he means? Have you ever felt pressure to change yourself to be accepted?
2
Nadine Kaadan, from Syria, used her art to process her experiences and reconnect with her home. Why do you think creative activities like drawing or writing can be so helpful in difficult times?
3
Ada Jusic from Bosnia remembers her teacher’s small act of welcome as a turning point. Why are small moments of kindness so important for someone who is new and feels like an outsider?
4
Several of the authors talk about the specific things they miss from home, like food or music. If you had to move to a new country, what small, everyday things from your life now would you miss the most?
5
After reading five different journeys, what is something that surprised you or that you learned about the experience of being a refugee that you didn't know before?
