I have enjoyed so many incredible books thanks to my kids’ literature and social studies teachers. The most recent was Refugee by Alan Gratz. This was required reading for John over the summer and had us both captivated chapter by chapter and page by page. It is a powerful story of three teens seeking refuge from three countries in three different decades. Some parts had me biting my nails, while others had me weeping with the faith, courage and tenacity of these children. I recommend this book for anyone from ages 11 to 111.

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.

In a world that can seem so dark and sad right now, it was an important reminder of how very fortunate we are. While John is sad he can’t go to school in person, his high school football games, lacrosse conditioning, etc. he has a home, food, freedom of worship, vast support system, and so much more. It was a timely read with important perspective for both of us. <3

I’d love to know… what’s on your bedside?

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