5 Books About Refugees You Must Read

Hi BLEEM readers!

During the pandemic, it is often hard to find things to do. One thing you can do though is read! However, many times you might feel that you don't know what to read. Don't worry! With these 5 books about refugees, you will have more books to read and will also gain more knowledge! These books are good for both kids and adults too. I hope you enjoy them!

When Stars Are Scattered

By Victoria Jamison & Omar Mohamed

This book is a graphic novel, which is really good for readers who enjoy graphics and pictures while reading. Victoria Jamison and Omar Mohamed bring you into the world of a Somalian refugee and his life in a refugee camp. Since the attacks in his hometown, Omar has lived in a refugee camp with his little brother Hassan. Omar does not know where his mother is, which leaves him to care for Hassan 24/7. Hassan has disabilities that only allow him to speak one word ("Hooyo), and cause him to have seizures a lot. This takes up all of Omar's time, which prevents him from going to school. At first Omar doesn't want to go to school because it would mean leaving his brother for hours, but on the other side, he really wants to learn so that he can have a future someday. His best friend named Jeri encourages him to go to school, but also to give Hassan some more freedom instead of constantly being next to him. Another problem is that Omar, Hassan, and their guardian Fatuma are always hungry, which is very hard for them. Also, Omar and Hassan dream to go to America someday, but it is very rare for refugees to get on the list. However, with Omar's bravery and persistence and the help of his friends, he just might be able to overcome these problems. This story is also based on Omar Mohamed's actual experiences, which adds a bonus to the read.

Refugee

By Alan Gratz

Refugee is a story that focuses on 3 characters, each with their own story, time period, and location. Josef lives in 1930 Germany and constantly needs to be worried about the Nazis because he is Jewish. After Nazis broke into his home and took his father, he now just lives with his mother and little sister Ruthie. Isabel lives in 1994 Cuba, and currently Cuba is doing very poorly. There isn't much food or money, because the sugarcane crops have stopped being sold, and everyone is on food rations. People want to escape, but the leader of Cuba isn't allowing it which leads to protests and violence. Mahmoud lives in 2015 Syria when a revolution is being led against Bashar al-Assad. Everyone has to basically lock themselves up and not socialize or show themselves to others, just to be safe. There is constantly violence in his neighborhood and buildings and people are destroyed, including his building. He lives with his mother, father, little brother Waleed, and baby sister Hana.

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

This is a relatively short book, which is good if you just want a quick read. Similar to Refugee, it features multiple characters. Nya lives in 2008 Sudan, where she has to walk 8 hours each day just to get water to survive. Salva lives in 1985 Sudan as a refugee after war broke out in his village, and he is traveling Africa on foot in hope of finding his family and safety. In the end, these two stories will connect and will show that even in troubled times, if you're determined enough, you can change your future.

Lifeboat 12

By Susan Hood

Like Josef's story in Refugee, 13-year-old Ken is escaping the Nazis by sea. Ken's life on the SS City of Benares ship is paradise to him, and when the captain says that they are free from the dangers of bombs, Ken believes him. However, that night the boat was torpedoed and the boat began to sink rapidly. Scared and hoping to survive, Ken jumps into Lifeboat 12 in hopes of getting away and surviving. Based on a true story, this is a great read for all readers.

Lost in the Pacific, 1942

By Tod Olson

This true story starts on October 21, 1942 in the middle of World War II. 8 very important men run out of fuel in their airplane and are forced to land in the middle of the ocean. However, they are hundreds of miles away from any civilization and they have no food or water. Throughout the book there are also many real photos, maps, diagrams, advertisements, and documents from the time period. This is a fantastic, non-fiction read that will keep you interested until the very end!

Thank you for reading this article! If you have any article requests such as books on a particular topic, please let me or one of the other BLEEM Co-founders know!

-Lauren Isbell, BLEEM co-founder