Refugee — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A New York Times bestseller!
JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world...
ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America...
MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe...
All three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers -- from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.
As powerful and poignant as it is action-packed and page-turning, this highly acclaimed novel was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than four years and continues to change readers' lives with its meaningful takes on survival, courage, and the quest for home.
Frequently asked questions
Is Refugee appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book depicts various forms of violence and trauma experienced by the characters, including persecution, danger, and death. Specific instances mentioned include a character dying from a shark attack and another almost drowning, illustrating the harrowing realities faced by refugees. The book contains elements that could be considered scary for younger readers, such as the dire circumstances of the characters and their experiences with persecution and danger. Specific scenes include nightmares and the psychological impact of their traumatic journeys.
Does Refugee have violence?
The book depicts various forms of violence and trauma experienced by the characters, including persecution, danger, and death. Specific instances mentioned include a character dying from a shark attack and another almost drowning, illustrating the harrowing realities faced by refugees.
Does Refugee have scary content?
The book contains elements that could be considered scary for younger readers, such as the dire circumstances of the characters and their experiences with persecution and danger. Specific scenes include nightmares and the psychological impact of their traumatic journeys.
Does Refugee have religious themes?
The book includes references to Muslim characters who practice their faith, such as stopping to pray and making duas. This is presented as part of their daily lives rather than as a central storyline, indicating a representation of Islamic practices.
Does Refugee have racial/cultural content?
While the book features characters from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, race is not a central theme or plot point. The focus is on the refugee experience rather than explicit discussions of race or racism.
Does Refugee have profanity?
The book does not contain profanity. While the author acknowledges that characters might use strong language in real-life situations, it is not included in the text.
Does Refugee have climate change?
The book touches on the concept of 'environmental refugees' fleeing natural disasters, which may relate to climate change. However, this theme is not deeply explored within the narrative itself, making its presence unclear.
Does Refugee have sexual identity?
There is no sexual content in the book. The narrative focuses on the experiences of young refugees and their struggles, without any references to sexual themes.
Does Refugee have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. It features characters who take on various responsibilities during their journeys, but these roles are not framed within a broader commentary on gender expectations.
Does Refugee have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the book 'Refugee' by Alan Gratz. The search results discuss broader topics related to LGBTQ+ individuals and migration but do not indicate any specific LGBTQ+ content within the narrative of the book itself.
