Graphic Novel Review: Refugee by Alan Gratz
Alan Gratz’s Refugee novel hit the bestseller list with it’s stories of children fleeing war torn countries. Scholastic will release a graphic novel adaptation of the novel later this year and we got a chance to review a copy. Read on for a spoiler-free review of Refugee by Alan Gratz with artwork by Syd Fini.
Publisher provided a ARC for review, however all thoughts and opinions our own. This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission for items purchased.
The graphic novel Refugee takes readers on three unforgettable journeys, following children across decades and continents as they flee danger in search of safety. Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany, escaping the growing threat of concentration camps by boarding a ship bound for freedom. HIs father suffers from PTSD from his time in a concentration camp and the family navigates racism and anti-semitism on their journey to a safer country. Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994, leaving her home on a fragile raft during a time of riots and political unrest. Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015, trying to flee a war-torn country and trekking across Europe with his family.
The stories in Refugee remind us that refugees are almost always fleeing violence, persecution, and a way of life that leaves them no choice but to search for something better. The journeys are harrowing and, in many cases, don’t lead to happy endings, but they are powerful and necessary to read.
The graphic novel artwork by Syd Fini captures movement and it’s emotional, with deep blacks, moody purples, and muted tones that match the seriousness of the subject matter. The artwork draws readers into the fear, hope, and resilience each child experiences as they navigate their dangerous journeys.
Refugee is a really good graphic novel for children ages 8 and up, opening the door to meaningful discussions about history, human rights, and empathy. Ultimately, Refugee is both heartbreaking and hopeful a must-read graphic novel that will stay with readers long after the last page.
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