heisereads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Powerful.
Graphic novel of an African refugee experience. The alternating "Now" and "Then" timelines heighten the suspense and add to the emotion of Ebo's journey. An important book that will be accessible for kids who are ready to see the reality of what is happening with the refugee crisis. Pair with Gratz's [b:Refugee|33118312|Refugee|Alan Gratz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487620933s/33118312.jpg|53784597] & Abawi's [b:A Land of Permanent Goodbyes|35082445|A Land of Permanent Goodbyes|Atia Abawi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500889031s/35082445.jpg|54006554].
Graphic novel of an African refugee experience. The alternating "Now" and "Then" timelines heighten the suspense and add to the emotion of Ebo's journey. An important book that will be accessible for kids who are ready to see the reality of what is happening with the refugee crisis. Pair with Gratz's [b:Refugee|33118312|Refugee|Alan Gratz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487620933s/33118312.jpg|53784597] & Abawi's [b:A Land of Permanent Goodbyes|35082445|A Land of Permanent Goodbyes|Atia Abawi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1500889031s/35082445.jpg|54006554].
ajworkman77's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, heart wrenching. A brief look at what our fellow humans endure to get to a better place.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
3.0
This short graphic novel that depicts of a boy's journey from Niger, across the Sahara desert, and onto a boat with the hope of making it to Europe. It is a cruel, brutal and heartbreaking trip with some kind supportive people along the way but many criminal, brutal thugs, and selfish people as well. I thought it was a bit too short and thin, I wanted to see the character fleshed out more, maybe learn more about why he was leaving Niger and more about what happened along the way. Nevertheless it was powerful and I wish every middle schooler read it (which seems to be its target audience).
cocoanut7's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful read. I *loved* the quote at the beginning about how “no human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms” from Eli Wiesel. It set me up for compassion and understanding. It’s easy to back away from refugees and immigration when it inconveniences us, but it’s harder to do that when you face their reality. Truly touching and works perfectly as a graphic novel.
rknuttel's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful but deeply sad story. It ends in a hopeful way but MAN. I wasn’t ready for what happens right before the ending.
The art is lovely and shows the striking difference between the deadly dessert and the equally dangerous sea. The color is so good.
It doesn’t need more to tell the story it wants to tell, but (as I think about most graphic novels) a longer story would have made this more impactful. It definitely does its job this way and will make this important story accessible to a lot of people. But I feel like we missed out a bit on a deeper connection with the characters that we could have had if this was a full length novel. Although then the ending just would have devastated me more, so maybe this is for the best haha.
In the US we have been overwhelmed by a specific type of immigrant and refugee story - people from Latin America. I like that this gives another perspective so that people will realize that there are human beings escaping dangerous situations all over the world. I do think that the title is a little disconnected, which maybe is weird? I mean yes lots of things they do on their journey are illegal, but I feel like that isn’t the focus of the story. A weird and extremely specific critique haha.
Overall an important graphic novel and one I hope to add to my classroom library soon.
The art is lovely and shows the striking difference between the deadly dessert and the equally dangerous sea. The color is so good.
It doesn’t need more to tell the story it wants to tell, but (as I think about most graphic novels) a longer story would have made this more impactful. It definitely does its job this way and will make this important story accessible to a lot of people. But I feel like we missed out a bit on a deeper connection with the characters that we could have had if this was a full length novel. Although then the ending just would have devastated me more, so maybe this is for the best haha.
In the US we have been overwhelmed by a specific type of immigrant and refugee story - people from Latin America. I like that this gives another perspective so that people will realize that there are human beings escaping dangerous situations all over the world. I do think that the title is a little disconnected, which maybe is weird? I mean yes lots of things they do on their journey are illegal, but I feel like that isn’t the focus of the story. A weird and extremely specific critique haha.
Overall an important graphic novel and one I hope to add to my classroom library soon.
bardicbramley's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderfully illustrated and emotional story that is easily followed and easy to empathise with.
A great way for children and adults alike to get a perspective into the truth of these situations.
Definitely a little heavy content for younger children. The main character is 12 so I would imagine around that age would be a good recommendation for an age limit. Although it comes down to how people feel about exposing children to hard truths of the world.
A great way for children and adults alike to get a perspective into the truth of these situations.
Definitely a little heavy content for younger children. The main character is 12 so I would imagine around that age would be a good recommendation for an age limit. Although it comes down to how people feel about exposing children to hard truths of the world.
catladyreba's review against another edition
4.0
"You, who are so-called illegal aliens, must know that no human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, they can be fat or skinny, the can be right or wrong, but illegal? How can a human being be illegal?"
Sobering. Powerful.
Sobering. Powerful.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
This powerful graphic novel follows Ebo and his brother Kwame as they make their way from their home in Ghana to Niger, across the desert to Tripoli, in an attempt to cross the ocean and make a new life for themselves with their sister in Italy. An intense look at many of the obstacles and dangers faced by so many people in search of a better life. Highly recommended for grades 5 and up.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.