Gratz, A. (2017). Refugee. New York: Scholastic Press.
Wow! What a powerful book. My eyes have been opened. Each child's attempt and search for freedom is separated by generations. But the struggles are still parallel. This bluebonnet 18-19 read will be a powerful teaching resource in our communities. Helping children to learn empathy for others in different situations that they don't have to face. Also, a great book to talk about bullies by comparing the oppressors to bullies in our schools. I loved how Gratz has all three stories connected in some way even though years have passed. 5 degrees of separation.
Overview:
Josef - Nazi Germany Jewish boy who tried to flee Germany before the world war breaks out. His father is taken to a Nazi camp and sees things he is not able to recover from. The family flees Germany on the Ship the St. Luis sailing to Cuba. When they arrive in Cuba, they are not permitted in due to political reasons.
Isabel - Cuban girl who in 1994 flees Cuba on a make shift raft in hope of reaching America. The barriers the family has to overcome to get to America are relentless. Eventually the boat does make it to dry land so they can stay in the US, but everyone does not make it.
Mahmoud - Syria refuge in 2015. I am appalled that our world is so broken. He and his family had the shortest journey but such a dangerous one. The civil war in the middle east is so scary for the innocent. His family is forced to flee when his apartment building his hit by missiles.
All three of the characters are forced to grow up to soon and take on adult roles and decision making. I feel so blessed to live in a free country. Stepping up and helping those who need help just to feel safe is so important. It can be done in our own backyard and across the world.
Resources:
Organizations that can help UNICEF and Save the Children.
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