Review: Refugee

Three different kids.

One mission in common: ESCAPE.

Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world.

Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety and freedom in America.

Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe.

All three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers–from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. (summary from the publisher)

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved the short chapters; they kept me turning the pages quickly along with the cliff hanger endings. While the stories were dark and sometimes hard to read, the characters did remain hopeful. It's a fantastic book for discussion. Even though the stories ranged over a significant time period, they are relevant more than ever. I loved the ending and how the stories tied together. 

Cover Thoughts: Well done
Source: My library
Read for: Middle Grade Cybils Award

Library Recommendation: This one should be in all the school and public libraries.