Refugee: The Graphic Novel
Alan Gratz
Illustrated by Syd Fini
Ages 11+
Available October 7, 2025

In 1939, Josef and his family flee persecution in Nazi Germany. In 1994, Isabel climbs onto a homemade boat on the shores of Cuba. In 2015, Mahmoud tries to protect his siblings as they depart Syria with their parents. Each of them hopes for a better life in a new country, unable to stay in their homes any longer. An adaptation of Gratz’s novel Refugee, this graphic novel tells three stories of children seeking refuge based on real moments in history.

Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud each have their own stories, but each focuses on the same themes of bravery, hope, and family. Interspersed with each other, readers follow all three children at the same time, which allows for parallels to form between the tales. Gratz draws all three together, revealing ties between the characters and their stories, and providing for a satisfying ending. Fini’s illustration is packed with emotion, giving readers insight into not just the young narrators, but also their families and the people they encounter on their journeys.

Refugee: The Graphic Novel is unapologetic in its depiction of suffering and trauma. Although none of the pictures are overly explicit, characters die on and off screen, are held and gunpoint and threatened, and discuss the realities of the situations they are fleeing, including concentration camps and bombings. Young readers who pick up this book should be prepared to deal with topics that are heavy and sometimes uncomfortable, and adults who give it to them should be prepared for questions about its content. Gratz provides additional information at the back of the book about the historical context surrounding the stories, making it ideal for classroom discussions.