This much, however, must be said: Mahmoud’s family departs from Syria to reach Germany. Readers must discover for themselves the harrowing journey made by Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud. To say too much about it would distract from the intensity of each character’s story. This book will speak for itself through rave reviews and a plethora of five-star ratings. Very little needs to be said of Gratz’s magnificent work.

It is 2015, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy living in a war-torn country.Īll three depart from their homeland and make a perilous journey in search of refuge. It is 1994, and Isabel is a Cuban girl whose country is plagued by civil unrest. It is 1939, and Joseph is a Jewish boy living in Nazi Germany. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.Ĭlick here to watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend.

After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.Īlan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.Īlan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.Īlan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor.

His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards.

Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers.

Refugee by Alan Gratz