by Alan Gratz
Josef is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the increasing persecution of Jews, his family decided to flee the country aboard the St. Louis, a ship that aimed to transport Jewish refugees to Cuba. However, upon arrival, they face unexpected challenges and resistance. He is from Berlin (Google Earth Berlin), Germany. As the situation deteriorates for Jewish people in Nazi Germany, his family decides to flee from Berlin. (Berlin Fashion of the 1930s)
Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. During this period, Cuba was in the midst of an economic crisis following the fall of the Soviet Union. In search of a better life, Isabel and her family decide to embark on a dangerous journey by raft across the ocean to the United States. She is from Havana, Cuba. Due to the economic crisis and other challenges in Cuba, she and her family decide to escape from Havana by boat.
Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. With the Syrian Civil War escalating, he and his family decide to flee from Aleppo, making a perilous journey through Europe in search of safety. He is from Aleppo, Syria. With the Syrian Civil War causing chaos and danger, his family decides to leave Aleppo to find safety elsewhere.
Historical Accuracy: The book is based on real historical events, including the plight of refugees during different time periods. It follows the stories of three refugee families from different eras and regions:
Real-Life Settings: The novel takes place in actual locations such as
Refugee Experiences: Throughout the book, Gratz explores the hardships and experiences of refugees, including
discrimination, and the
challenges of starting a new life in a foreign land.
Author's Note: At the end of the book, there is an author's note in which Alan Gratz provides additional information about the
real-life refugees who inspired the characters and situations in the novel. This note helps readers understand the non-fictional basis of the story.
Additional Resources: In some editions of the book, the author includes a list of further reading and resources for readers who want to learn more about the historical events and the refugee experience.
These non-fiction elements in "Refugee" serve to educate young readers about the history of refugee crises and the challenges faced by refugees throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, making the book not only an engaging work of fiction but also a tool for raising awareness and empathy about real-world issues. Consider the ADL Resource.