Refugee by Alan Gratz is a powerful and poignant historical fiction novel that alternates between three children fleeing their homelands as refugees. The story follows Josef escaping Germany in the 1930s, Isabel seeking refuge in Miami in 1994, and Mahmoud's family aiming for safety in Germany in 2015. Each child's journey is filled with hardships, sacrifices, and tragedies, portraying the harsh reality faced by refugees. The book interweaves the lives of these characters, showcasing the commonalities in their experiences despite the different time periods and locations.

Through alternating viewpoints and interconnected storylines, Refugee sheds light on the struggles faced by refugees seeking safety and security. The book provides a raw and emotional portrayal of the refugee experience, highlighting the pain, fear, and sacrifices endured by the families. Alan Gratz skillfully connects the three main characters' journeys, creating a compelling narrative that educates readers on the challenges faced by refugees across generations and geography.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, each representing the resilience and humanity of children facing extreme challenges in their respective historical contexts.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and accessible, with emotional depth that resonates with readers, making it suitable for middle-grade audiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features three interconnected refugee stories across different historical periods, highlighting the struggles and hopes of children in dire situations.

Setting:

The story unfolds across diverse historical settings, vividly depicting the socio-political environments impacting each group of refugees.

Pacing:

The pacing is swift and gripping, utilizing cliffhangers to maintain engagement throughout the interconnected narratives.

Josef listened, straining his ears in the dark. He wasn’t used to the sounds of this new flat, the smaller one he and his family had been forced to move into. They couldn’t afford their old place, not...

Notes:

Refugee by Alan Gratz tells three interconnected stories of child refugees from different historical contexts: Josef, a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939; Isabel, a Cuban girl escaping Castro's regime in 1994; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy leaving war-torn Aleppo in 2015.

The book highlights the plight of millions of children who are forced to flee their homes, with current events and historical facts interwoven in the narrative.

The MS St. Louis was a significant historical element in Josef's story, where over six hundred Jewish refugees sought asylum in Cuba but were ultimately turned away, leading to tragic consequences for many.

Gratz emphasizes the ongoing relevance of refugee crises throughout history, suggesting that society has not learned from past mistakes, such as the refusal to accept Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

The characters' journeys reflect real experiences of families fleeing violence, war, and oppression, illustrating the courage and resilience required to seek safety.

The novel is designed for a middle-grade audience, featuring appropriate language while addressing heavy themes, making it suitable for students aged 11-15 and above.

Refugee has been recommended for educational settings, prompting discussions about empathy, history, and the challenges faced by refugees today.

Alan Gratz includes an author's note detailing the historical background of each character, providing context and urging readers to engage in humanitarian efforts to help current refugees.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Refugee include depictions of violence, trauma, and themes surrounding loss, persecution, and the harsh realities faced by refugees.

From The Publisher:

Separated by continents and decades, the harrowing escape stories of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud intertwine. "Pulsating with emotional turmoil, adventure and suspense." -Kirkus, starred review

Ratings (4)

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Reader Stats (9):

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Refugee

Alan Gratz