Scan barcode
A review by a_novel_idea11
Refugee by Alan Gratz
4.0
This is a moving and powerful story about three kids and their journeys to escape their dangerous circumstances and seek refuge in another part of the world.
Gratz expertly details the horrific conditions Isabel, Josef, and Mahmoud are all facing in their home countries. Though each child lives during a different time period and is trying to escape from a different part of the world, the stories are scarily similar and are sadly relatable even today.
Though this is directed for a young audience, it's still fairly graphic and extremely emotional. Each child has suffered through unimaginable atrocities, lost friends and family, and has experienced more in their short lives than many adults. I probably wouldn't recommend for a youngster under the age of 13.
I loved the connections across the stories, the powerful emotions Gratz evokes, and the descriptions that really brought these plights to life. I also thought the underlying messages of acceptance and respect were really powerful.
I read this novel with a book club and it made for a great discussion, particularly in the current post-Roe climate. The parallels between each story and our current situation were frightening and lead to a lot of really interesting points and topics of conversation.
This book is an excellent reminder that no place or entire race, ethnicity, gender, or religion is inherently evil. At the end of the day, we are all human and we are all connected no matter how different we may seem to be. This novel is also is a great reminder that without learning from our past mistakes, history is doomed to repeat itself.
Gratz expertly details the horrific conditions Isabel, Josef, and Mahmoud are all facing in their home countries. Though each child lives during a different time period and is trying to escape from a different part of the world, the stories are scarily similar and are sadly relatable even today.
Though this is directed for a young audience, it's still fairly graphic and extremely emotional. Each child has suffered through unimaginable atrocities, lost friends and family, and has experienced more in their short lives than many adults. I probably wouldn't recommend for a youngster under the age of 13.
I loved the connections across the stories, the powerful emotions Gratz evokes, and the descriptions that really brought these plights to life. I also thought the underlying messages of acceptance and respect were really powerful.
I read this novel with a book club and it made for a great discussion, particularly in the current post-Roe climate. The parallels between each story and our current situation were frightening and lead to a lot of really interesting points and topics of conversation.
This book is an excellent reminder that no place or entire race, ethnicity, gender, or religion is inherently evil. At the end of the day, we are all human and we are all connected no matter how different we may seem to be. This novel is also is a great reminder that without learning from our past mistakes, history is doomed to repeat itself.