Reviews

Refugee, by Alan Gratz

danavanderlugt's review

5.0

I learned nearly as much while reading this as my kids did. Well written and important.

katieb323's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

adaiaxoxo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

erika_reynolds20's review

5.0

This is an important read for any person in any country in today’s society. While this is a younger read—upper middle grade—it deals with some heavy topics and themes. Gratz provides enough context for each character’s situation that it’s easy to understand what Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are going through without being a history buff (though the maps and historical background at the end of the book is also helpful). I wasn’t expecting Gratz to weave each character’s story together, but that was a nice touch. He provides enough despair for the stories to be realistic, but enough hope to make you want to keep reading. A wonderful read!

joysa's review

4.0

4.5

catwhisperflubbs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

It's a lot.......... it's a lot

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Suicide attempt, and Torture

Minor: Bullying, Cursing, and Death

That one scene where Ivan di3s in a shark @ttack...... I almost threw up to the sheer DETAIL of it. Like we did not need to know THAT much but okay. If you've read that scene..... I mean I was traumatized you were traumatized and I'm positive we all were and now we can be traumatized together:)

phi_cai's review

3.0

Had to read for 8th grade English class
Josef’s story - 3 stars, a lot of potential but fell flat
Isabelle’s story - 1 star, it could have been heart wrenching but her character was so annoying that it ruined it
Mahmoud’s story - 5 stars, really well paced and touching
Isabelle ruined the book

meeyuhb's review against another edition

challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bajablastqueer's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

marobbins's review

5.0

I loved this book! It's amazing, and I plan to have my students write about it in context to our upcoming unit on immigration. It's a tear jerker, and it's intense, but it's so worth it! :)