What would you do if you and your family had to flee the place where you lived, carrying only the things you could fit in a backpack? If you stayed, you would almost certainly be killed, and if you run… you may die anyway. Refugee, by Alan Gratz, is a novel that follows three teenagers who flee with their families from their countries that are torn apart by violence and political turmoil. The reader follows each of the characters as they encounter hardship after hardship, facing insurmountable odds. By the last 100 pages, the reader can’t put the book down, because the situations the characters find themselves in are incredibly dire. Death is on the line, and there appears to be no end in sight.

Refugee is a powerful book for helping readers understand the struggles and dangers refugees and immigrants face as they face horrific odds in order to find a safe place to live with their families. You will feel frustration, anger, and fear… even as you cheer wildly for these characters to succeed. There are moments of loss and grief along the way. Be prepared to feel all the emotions as you set sail with Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud in search for a new homeland.

Review by Elizabeth Cornelious