Refugee

This gripping novel follows three children in different time periods, as they flee their homelands during times of crises: Josef, a Jewish boy, escaping Nazi Germany in 1938, Isabel a Cuban girl in 1994, and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy, in 2015. Each sub-story depicts the characters’ desperation as they seek safety for themselves and their families. Despite being from distinctly different times, the author weaves all three together at the end. Suitable for read-aloud, novel study, or lit circles in grades 5-7, it will spark discussion of oppression, hope, rejection, survival, discrimination, immigration, refugees, responsibility, and sacrifice. Teacher guidance highly recommended.