Book review: Without Refuge, by Jane Mitchell

Mitchell, Jane. Without Refuge. Carolrhoda Books, 2019. 282 pgs. Includes glossary. $16.99. ISBN: 978-1-5415-0050-1. Gr. 6+. P7 Q8

Ghalib and his family live in Syria, his life was once very much like boys in America. He loved playing video games and he loved soccer. His life changes once the civil war started. Now he dreams of the day it will all end. Life for his family is becoming more dangerous every day. When a bomb goes off near him and his cousin, who looses a leg, the family knows it is time to leave. It is done in the early morning so they can avoid the soldiers who patrol looking for those they could recruit. Ghalib and his older sister, Bushra, are just the right age. Airstrikes separate Ghalib from his family as they try to leave. He comes into contact with those who do not have families to help protect them.  Together again, his family flees into the desert, in an overcrowded truck, but when the truck breaks down, the family has to walk the rest of the way. The end of the story for me was so frustrating as Ghalib and his sister are rescued by a helicopter, leaving the reader hanging as to what happens next.

Verdict: This would be a great book to read aloud in a class. Discussion on war, immigration, social issues and current events are some of the topics that could be covered.

September 2019 review by Carol Bernardi.

Book review: The Garden, by Meghan Ferrari

Ferrari, Meghan. The Garden. Red Deer Press, 2018. 119 pgs. $12.95. ISBN: 9780889955684. Gr. 7+.  P8 Q8

The Syrian civil war has had devastating results for that country and those who live there. Elias and his family have stayed in Syria so his father, a doctor, can take care of his patients. As the war worsens, the family decides it is time to leave and escape to Canada. The story is told in the present tense in alternating chapters, their current lives in Canada alternating with their escape from Syria. This gives a sense of immediacy–that everything is taking place now.

Verdict: Refugees are being displaced in many countries around the world and this story shows the struggles that many of the people are having–not only the dangers of fleeing from their countries but also adapting to the countries which take them in.

September 2019 review by Carol Bernardi.

Book review: My Beautiful Birds, by Suzanne Del Rizzo

Del Rizzo, Suzanne. My Beautiful Birds. Pajama Press, 2017. $17.95. ISBN 9781772780109. Unpaged. Ages 6-10. P8Q9

This is a gorgeous book that had me in tears- it captures the fear and grief felt by a Syrian child refugee living in the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan. The realities of life for some 80,000 people living there (July 2016) are uniquely communicated illustrated in brilliantly colored polymer clay and mixed media. The story is told through the eyes of a little boy named Sami. At home in Syria, Sami kept pigeons  and as he and his family flee the war and find shelter in Jordan, he is grief stricken about their losses, including the loss of his beautiful birds. He doesn’t want to participate in school or play, and when he tries to paint his birds, the beautiful colors turn to black. Eventually Sami begins to recover and is able to help a new refugee child by befriending her. There is an author’s note giving some background on the war in Syria and the particular refugee camp, and a website with further information. This link shows what the camp looks like: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23801200. VERDICT: This is a must for all public and school libraries. The refugee situation will only get worse with time, and we need to educate ourselves and our kids about it.

March 2017 review by Carol Schramm.