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4

This novel is realistic fiction,...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·acargile

This novel is realistic fiction, looking at the plight of refugees from three different time periods. You'll meet Josef first. He is a Jewish boy in 1938 Germany. His father is taken one night and returned much later a changed man after being released from a concentration camp with orders to leave Germany immediately. Josef, his parents, and his little sister board the St. Louis, a ship bound for Cuba. The Cubans have agreed to take some Jews off the German's hands. It's an arduous journey with varying help on board. The twists and turns of this true historic journey on this ship will be wrenching for you to follow. Isabel lives in Cuba in 1994 when Castro said that anyone who wants to leave Cuba can without worrying about being killed if caught. Isabel knows they must leave because her father will end up in jail. She solves their neighbor's problem and gets her family passage on the neighbor's small boat. Crossing the waters from Cuba to Florida is very dangerous, and most people die. Their trip is harrowing and heart-breaking. The last person is Mahmoud, a Syrian refugee in 2015. Aleppo has been in the news a great deal over the last couple of years. The city has been hammered and torn apart. Mahmoud and his family finally determine that only death awaits them, so they need to leave. Their desire to get from Syria to Germany is difficult. If you watch the news, you'll see their plight as familiar, but your view will be far more intimate and real. Each story is to show the plight of refugees that never really changes. The author wants to make the point that only with help and caring for one another can we all make the world a better place even though we've never learned from the past. Country after country abuses its people until they are left with nothing except the desire to leave. Survival becomes difficult and every moment is fraught with despair and fear. If they find a safe haven, life must be completely remade--in another country with another language and a new set of customs. The plight of the refugee is hard; Alan Gratz wants to make it more personal with this novel.

5

"Three different kids. One mission...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·mplantenga11

"Three different kids.\nOne mission in common: ESCAPE." This one line in the summary hooked me. I had read Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz so I was familiar with his exceptional storytelling and knew this book would be good. I was not disappointed. I love stories that follow multiple characters and the way he was able to weave these characters, who were in different countries and generations, together was incredible. I found myself cheering for all three kids and their families to make it to safety. I knew ahead of time that the characters were somehow all connected but the way they were connected was not far-fetched and very realistic so it didn't detract from the story like I've seen in other novels. Overall, this was a very quick read and a great book. I also really liked that the author added a section that explained the historical events that were occurring during each character's stories. It really helped to show the magnitude of these stories and what people have experienced all over the world. He also listed charities that can help children like the ones in the story.

5

Refugee by Alan Gratz is a dynamic…

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·standhenry

Refugee by Alan Gratz is a dynamic story of three kids around the age of 12 years old from different time periods/places (Josef 1938 Germany, Isabel 1994 Cuba, Mahmoud 2015 Syria). Vivid details and excellent writing put the reader in the shoes of the kids. Each journey can be read separately but the stories are intertwined and set up to read together in alternating chapters. Notes from the author at the end of the book describe how he took real life events to form these composite characters. Maps show routes taken to demonstrate the distance these kids went for freedom. A quote in Mahmoud's story rings true for them all: "But there was no reason they couldn't make a new life for themselves somewhere else. Start over. Be happy again." Author recommends UNICEF and Save the Children as worthy organizations we can support to help the refugees today that need our assistance. The heartbreaking book is a must read for everyone!

5

Powerful and poignant! Alan Gratz...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Lisa_Francine

Powerful and poignant! Alan Gratz shares the humanity, and inhumanity of our history by immersing us in stories across time and place: Josef (1930s Germany), Isabel (1994 Cuba), and Mahmoud (2015 Syria). Listening to Refugee I became so invested in knowing the outcome of these turbulent family stories that I would switch back and forth between the audio version and the e-book version. I predict that this book will be read in classrooms across the country, and as One Book reads in public libraries and towns. Kudos to Gratz for this compassionate and timely book! A thank you to Edelweiss for an eARC of the book.

5

School Book Club Book November...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·wanderlustlover

School Book Club Book November 2019; \n\nThis book was so incredibly moving. This is the story of three different children in states of becoming refugees with their immediate family and/or friends in Germany, Cuba, and Syria/Turkey. It's so on the point of what is happening right now, and I found myself in tears in several different parts of their three parallel, but not entirely interwoven tales. The emotions felt real. The pain, fear, and sacrifices cut deep into the heart.\n\nI am very excited to get to speak with the kids about this book in the beginning of December.

4

This is a really well...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Iudita

This is a really well done piece of fiction designed for young people about being a refugee. I found this book in the children's section but it is good reading for any age. I actually think a child would have to be a pretty mature reader to handle this. The writing is basic enough but there are a few scenes that might be too intense for younger readers. It would certainly be helpful to read this with a teacher or a parent who could temper the reading experience and it would make for endless discussion in a classroom. It covers the flight stories of 3 different children and their families from 3 different episodes in history and draws connections between them. It offers an important lesson in both history and empathy and manages to do it with sensitivity and grace as well as being a good read.

4

Good story that details the...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·rdwhitenack

Good story that details the lives of three refugees in three different contexts/time periods fleeing their home countries. Josef is a jewish 12 yr old that flees from Germany in 1939 headed for Cuba. Isabel is a 12yr old Cuban girl that tries to sail to America with her family and neighbors in 1994. Mahmoud is a 12yr Syrian boy that tries to escape the wraths of the Assad regime by fleeing toward Europe in hopes of making it to Germany. All 3 stories are handled well, and equally. Josef's story leads the way, but I felt the terror and heartache of Mahmoud's the most. All three stories end up tying together in a neat way in the end. Though the main characters are preteens, I think teen readers would identify and sympathize enough with the main characters to enjoy.

5

Unexpectedly wonderful book.

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Thomas

I purchased this book because it is on my daughter's summer reading list and I wasn't sure if it was age appropriate so I wanted to read it first . The book arrived earlier than expected so I was able to bring it on my long weekend away . It was a fabulous story . I found my self becoming attached to the different characters . I highly recommend .

4

My 7 year old son...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·norinrad10

My 7 year old son and I recently completed this book after several months. He loved it and I found my eyes filled with tears several times. The novel tracks 3 different families from three different countries in three different periods as circumstances at home force them to search for a country to live in. It shows that while refugees may appear to be different than us, they could easily be any one of us. None of the protagonist chose their plight. They did not choose to be forcefully removed from their homeland. This is a good book for all ages, filled with reminders and insight that we all can benefit from.

4

The chapters rotate between the...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·defaultForRating

The chapters rotate between the three main characters who are leaving their homes to seek safety and security. Joseph and his family are on the MS St. Louis trying to get to Cuba to escape the Nazis, Isabel and her family leave Cuba in 1994 on a boat trying to arrive in Miami. Mahmoud and his family try to get to Germany from Syria after the conflict in Aleppo destroys their home. The journeys are fraught with danger and some tragedy. The three story lines are connected through the character of Ruthie. Although the time and places are different, the refugee experience has some commonalities.

5

This book is wonderful for...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·anonymous

This book is wonderful for middle school age kids. I use it to teach about the concept of migration in Geography class. It follows three children as they journey to a better life.

5

a friend from school recommended...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·AK

a friend from school recommended this author to my son, he has been loving the books

5

The book arrived quickly and...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Tiffany

The book arrived quickly and now my son can take on his summer reading!

5

It was in great condition,...

Reviewed on www.thriftbooks.com

It was in great condition, my nephew read it for school.

5

very interesting book would recommend.

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Elias

very interesting book would recommend.

4

This novel weaves the refugee...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·tjsjohanna

This novel weaves the refugee stories of the families trying to escape war and persecution. Each time the narrative focus changes the author leaves a cliff hanger. In the end there is a connection between the three families. There are some true tragedies, but given the young audience, the realities are soft focused.

4

The stories of three refugees from…

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·asomers

The stories of three refugees from three different time periods are expertly woven together to create a memorable and poignant tale. This should be a must read for middle school social studies classes.

5

A story for anyone! Great!

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·lkayford

Great story with 3 different refugee children from 3 different places and decades. I think anyone would enjoy this book even though it is written as a YA novel. I'm leading a book group with this book!Great story with 3 different refugee children from 3 different places and decades. I think anyone would enjoy this book even though it is written as a YA novel. I'm leading a book group with this book!

5

A story for anyone! Great!

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·lkayford

Great story with 3 different refugee children from 3 different places and decades. I think anyone would enjoy this book even though it is written as a YA novel. I'm leading a book group with this book!

5

Great condition!

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·vadoc_d_jne0bf

I am extremely happy with the purchase and my son loved the book.

3

the book was for my...

Reviewed on www.walmart.com·Linda

the book was for my granddaughter she needed it for school.

5

Bought as gift

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·jardinemomma

Bought as a Christmas Gift for granddaughter.

5

Worth the read!

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·lilan_3747

Worth the read!

5

Good books.

Reviewed on www.ebay.com·reb5l

Good books.