I'm thrilled to have recently discovered Alan Gratz's historical fiction. I had the books on my classroom shelf, but hadn't read them. They are filled with well-researched events written in an adventurous, suspenseful style. I will be suggesting them frequently.
REFUGEE focuses on Josef in 1939 Germany, Isabel in 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud in 2015 Aleppo, Syria. Each are with families trying to escape their countries for a safer, better life.
Fearful of Hilter, Josef's father has already spent time in a concentration camp and is determined to deliver his Jewish family to the shores of Cuba. The family board one of several large ships with the guarantee that the fees paid will allow them to disembark when they reach Cuba where life won't be filled with the threat of death in a concentration camp. Josef's story is fraught with peril and disappointment.
Isabel and her family are escaping the oppression of Castro's rule in Cuba. Crammed into a tiny homemade vessel, they hope to reach the United States and a life of freedom and opportunity. Isabel's mother is almost ready to give birth to Isabel's soon-to-be baby brother so all are hoping the journey will be swift and uneventful. Of course, life seldom goes as planned.
For Mahmoud, life in Aleppo, Syria, has been constant bombs and gunfire. His family has been saving money for the long trek from Syria to Germany where they've been told refugees are welcome. Once they leave Aleppo, they face one delay after another and the fear that their money will run out long before they reach their destination.
The tales of Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud alternate in REFUGEE. Gratz's style will leave readers wanting more at the end of each chapter which makes for a fast and exciting read. There are also interesting connections between the characters that become clear as their stories unfold. REFUGEE is definitely a fine addition to any middle grade+ collection.
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