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Refugee: The Graphic Novel
The timeless #1 New York Times bestseller Refugee is brought to life in a stunning graphic novel adaptation!
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 must endure harrowing journeys. All face unimaginable dangers. 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.
Refugee is a modern classic that has spent over 5 years on the New York Times bestseller list, and garnered several awards and much acclaim. Brought to life with rich, gorgeous illustrations by artist Syd Fini, this hotly anticipated graphic novel will attract a whole new generation of fans.
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 must endure harrowing journeys. All face unimaginable dangers. 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.
Refugee is a modern classic that has spent over 5 years on the New York Times bestseller list, and garnered several awards and much acclaim. Brought to life with rich, gorgeous illustrations by artist Syd Fini, this hotly anticipated graphic novel will attract a whole new generation of fans.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
55 people are currently reading
3124 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
48 books4,764 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. 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. 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. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’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. 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.
Alan 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.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. 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. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’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. 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.
Alan 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.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. 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. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 11, 2025
I haven’t read the original novel so I’ve no idea how it compares but the artwork is well-done and the plot interesting enough.
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October 30, 2025I read and highly recommend the original middle grade chapter book Refugee by Alan Gratz frequently. This graphic novel version still brings a lot of the emotion but with using panels & speech bubbles paired with illustrations instead of descriptive paragraphs of text.
April 10, 2025
Having read and love the traditional format of Alan Gratz’s Refugee, a Texas Bluebonnet award nominee in 2018, I was excited to see a graphic novel adaptation written by Gratz and illustrated by Syd Fini. Although it has been quite some time since I read the original, I believe the ordeals and loss endured by three young refugees from 1939 Germany, 1994 Cuba and 2015 Syria were captured just as clearly in the graphic novel and for those readers who are more visual, maybe even better than in the traditionally formatted novel.
Josef, a Jewish boy fleeing Germany, Hitler and the Nazis with family, Isabel, a young Cuban girl and her family seeking refuge from the poverty and brutal government of Fidel Castro, and Mahmoud and his family seeking freedom from war-torn Syria, all endure hardship on their journeys that reflect actual experiences of actual refugees and Gratz details this fact in his author’s note. The trials experienced by Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud, however, do not reveal as much of the history of their countries during this time as I remember from the novel but the necessity of their flight comes across loud and clear. Even with limited text, Gratz uses dialogue in an effective way and the illustrated panels go even farther in conveying fear, grief and desperation; in fact, until the very end, there is very little outside of those dire feelings but hope does come for all three as connections between are also revealed.
Excellent choice for graphic novel collections in libraries serving readers in grades 4 and up, especially if there is solid circulation in historical fiction. Text is free of profanity and sexual content. The violence experienced by the refugees is historically accurate but is not excessive and is appropriate for the target audience.
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic and the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
Josef, a Jewish boy fleeing Germany, Hitler and the Nazis with family, Isabel, a young Cuban girl and her family seeking refuge from the poverty and brutal government of Fidel Castro, and Mahmoud and his family seeking freedom from war-torn Syria, all endure hardship on their journeys that reflect actual experiences of actual refugees and Gratz details this fact in his author’s note. The trials experienced by Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud, however, do not reveal as much of the history of their countries during this time as I remember from the novel but the necessity of their flight comes across loud and clear. Even with limited text, Gratz uses dialogue in an effective way and the illustrated panels go even farther in conveying fear, grief and desperation; in fact, until the very end, there is very little outside of those dire feelings but hope does come for all three as connections between are also revealed.
Excellent choice for graphic novel collections in libraries serving readers in grades 4 and up, especially if there is solid circulation in historical fiction. Text is free of profanity and sexual content. The violence experienced by the refugees is historically accurate but is not excessive and is appropriate for the target audience.
Thanks for the print arc, Scholastic and the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
October 14, 2025
Amazing! An exciting adaptation of Alan Gratz's Refugee. The art really adds to the emotional suffering of the characters. While most of the characters themselves are fictional, their stories are an amalgamation of true stories. 3 of the characters were actually real. I love historical fiction you can really learn from. The way Gratz draws the parallels between all three eras of refugee experiences had a very strong impact. You realize how similar their experiences are and also that not much has changed.
Oppressive governments around the world creating hate and division run people from their homes and the journeys of those people seeking refuge are deadly and unwelcoming. You wonder to yourself how these people can still make it to power after all we have seen and how we can still turn a blind eye to the suffering because we either believe the hate and fear mongering or are too selfish to see our duty to a fellow human. I do see the financial struggles that countries wanting to take in refugees must endure, but I can't help feeling that where there is a will there is a way.
I would give this book to any middle grade or YA reader that loved the I survived books as well as anyone who enjoys historical fiction or wants to learn about these events. The scenarios are accurate compared to many of the nonfiction books I have read. WELL DONE!!
Oppressive governments around the world creating hate and division run people from their homes and the journeys of those people seeking refuge are deadly and unwelcoming. You wonder to yourself how these people can still make it to power after all we have seen and how we can still turn a blind eye to the suffering because we either believe the hate and fear mongering or are too selfish to see our duty to a fellow human. I do see the financial struggles that countries wanting to take in refugees must endure, but I can't help feeling that where there is a will there is a way.
I would give this book to any middle grade or YA reader that loved the I survived books as well as anyone who enjoys historical fiction or wants to learn about these events. The scenarios are accurate compared to many of the nonfiction books I have read. WELL DONE!!
October 22, 2025
As powerful and poignant as it is action-packed and page-turning, the novel is now a graphic novel! 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.
Beautiful illustrations by an Iranian illustrator make the heartbreaking stories come alive on the pages. This is an adaption you will not want to miss!
Beautiful illustrations by an Iranian illustrator make the heartbreaking stories come alive on the pages. This is an adaption you will not want to miss!
August 6, 2025
The original middle-grade novel is such a meaningful, important read. Since I already knew the storyline, it felt incomplete to limit it to that which a graphic novel can provide. I will always recommend the original to the graphic novel version. I want the kids to have its true intended experience.
October 17, 2025
wow. most gut-wrenching, informative and heartbreaking stories of three children fleeing war and oppressive dictators that intermingle so creatively. highly recommend
December 9, 2025
I think this is a great graphic novel adaptation overall, but it is impossible to capture the depth of the original book in a graphic novel format.
December 28, 2025
The pacing of the graphic novel was too quick - it felt like the "Cliff's Notes" version of Refugee.
January 8, 2026
Tough images that demand to be seen. Much like the regular novel, I think this should be required reading!
August 15, 2025
This graphic novel adaptation of the beloved middle-grade book by Alan Gratz will bring this story and author to a new group of readers. The graphic novel adaptation of Refugee is identical to the original story, enhanced by art and graphics. Like the novel, Refugee is a story that melds the points of view and timelines of three young people: Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud – all refugees in different countries and decades. By the end, the stories come together in a way and shows that people from disparate groups can find peace together.
Josef is a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in 1938-1939, Isabel is a Cuban girl fleeing Havana in 1994, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy escaping Aleppo in 2015. The story moves seamlessly through each character’s story. In the novel, the points of view are distinguished by chapters, but in the graphic adaptation, the stories blend from panel to panel, using maps and pictures.
The illustrations really bring the stories to life. Judging based on the ARC preview, the color palette has been chosen to enhance the settings and mood. For example, in Isabel’s pages, the colors show Cuba as hazy and golden, like a humid Havana evening. In contrast, Josef’s illustration colors are darker, depicting a raid at night in which Josef’s papa is taken to a concentration camp. The subject matter is heavy, and the expressions show this, as do the background scenes. The visuals show sounds in words, such as “bweep-bweep” for a boat signal and “scre-e-e-e-ch” for branches in the woods, lending depth to the atmospheric action throughout the story.
The end of the book features an author’s note about the real-life events occurring in the stories of the fictional characters as well as more illustrations and many interesting facts. Finally, Gratz includes a “What You Can Do” section with resources and organizations for readers to learn about. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Josef is a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in 1938-1939, Isabel is a Cuban girl fleeing Havana in 1994, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy escaping Aleppo in 2015. The story moves seamlessly through each character’s story. In the novel, the points of view are distinguished by chapters, but in the graphic adaptation, the stories blend from panel to panel, using maps and pictures.
The illustrations really bring the stories to life. Judging based on the ARC preview, the color palette has been chosen to enhance the settings and mood. For example, in Isabel’s pages, the colors show Cuba as hazy and golden, like a humid Havana evening. In contrast, Josef’s illustration colors are darker, depicting a raid at night in which Josef’s papa is taken to a concentration camp. The subject matter is heavy, and the expressions show this, as do the background scenes. The visuals show sounds in words, such as “bweep-bweep” for a boat signal and “scre-e-e-e-ch” for branches in the woods, lending depth to the atmospheric action throughout the story.
The end of the book features an author’s note about the real-life events occurring in the stories of the fictional characters as well as more illustrations and many interesting facts. Finally, Gratz includes a “What You Can Do” section with resources and organizations for readers to learn about. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
November 2, 2025
The story of three refugees which emotionally end up merges across years and continents.
A Jewish family with a boy called Josef realise that they are unsafe in Germany in 1939. When Josef's father is freed by the Nazis they all board a boat to Cuba. Josef's father is very ill though, tormented by what he has seen. When they reach Cuba the captain tries to get them accepted, but they keep being told tomorrow, tomorrow. A Cuban policeman brings some fun for the children. Eventually they are turned away, the captain promises he won't return them to Germany. They disembark in Belgium, but safety is short.
A Cuban family with a girl, Isabel, are suffering under Fidel Castro's regime in 1994. They decide to join with their neighbours to flee to Florida. Isabel's mother is very pregnant, she needs to have the baby in Florida. But the crossing is harrowing. Blown off course, sharks and coastguards attempt to stop their resolve.
A Syrian family with a boy Mahmoud live in Syria in 2015. His father decides they have to leave. So Mahmoud, his brother Waleed and baby sister Hana and mother and Father embark on a perilous and expensive journey across countries to get to Germany where his father thinks they will be accepted. When they are thrown into water, they try to get on another boat but it is already full. In desperation Mahmoud and his mother ask them to take Hana. She is too small to survive the sea and they ask the strangers to keep her safe till they can get there.
But Isabel's grandfather was a policeman in Cuba and on that boat explains there were people before on a ship being used in a political game. A girl returns to Germany after the war to search for her family. And when Mahmoud and his family make it to Germany, he asks the lady he stays with if she can help find Hana; she explains her story and that of her lost brother, Josef.
Brilliant. Thanks to Rosie at Scholastic for the copy.
A Jewish family with a boy called Josef realise that they are unsafe in Germany in 1939. When Josef's father is freed by the Nazis they all board a boat to Cuba. Josef's father is very ill though, tormented by what he has seen. When they reach Cuba the captain tries to get them accepted, but they keep being told tomorrow, tomorrow. A Cuban policeman brings some fun for the children. Eventually they are turned away, the captain promises he won't return them to Germany. They disembark in Belgium, but safety is short.
A Cuban family with a girl, Isabel, are suffering under Fidel Castro's regime in 1994. They decide to join with their neighbours to flee to Florida. Isabel's mother is very pregnant, she needs to have the baby in Florida. But the crossing is harrowing. Blown off course, sharks and coastguards attempt to stop their resolve.
A Syrian family with a boy Mahmoud live in Syria in 2015. His father decides they have to leave. So Mahmoud, his brother Waleed and baby sister Hana and mother and Father embark on a perilous and expensive journey across countries to get to Germany where his father thinks they will be accepted. When they are thrown into water, they try to get on another boat but it is already full. In desperation Mahmoud and his mother ask them to take Hana. She is too small to survive the sea and they ask the strangers to keep her safe till they can get there.
But Isabel's grandfather was a policeman in Cuba and on that boat explains there were people before on a ship being used in a political game. A girl returns to Germany after the war to search for her family. And when Mahmoud and his family make it to Germany, he asks the lady he stays with if she can help find Hana; she explains her story and that of her lost brother, Josef.
Brilliant. Thanks to Rosie at Scholastic for the copy.
October 10, 2025
Graphic novel adaptation of one of Alan Gratz's historical novels. I haven't read the original version of Refugee, so I can only judge this book on its own merits. There are three POVs here, and we rotate through all of them regularly. In 1939, Josef and his family try to escape Nazi Germany on the MS St. Louis. In 1994, Isabel and her family try to flee Cuba in a small, handmade boat. And in 2015, Mahmoud and his family leave Syria in hopes of reaching Germany. Each time we swap POV, the first panel is a map that shows how far this group of characters have traveled, which makes it easy to remember whose POV you're about to start on. Each group faces its own particular hardships, and none of the stories end perfectly happily. There's always some kind of price to pay. At the end, the three stories lightly intertwine. This feels less obtrusive and more believable than I might have guessed, especially when connecting Josef and Isabel. The ending is also really emotional, which it certainly should be. The book wraps up with a few pages talking about Gratz's research and inspiration, something that I think every historical graphic novel should have. Both writing and art are clear and easily digestible without feeling simplistic, and I hope this leads to more adaptations of Gratz's work. The one thing that I would change, which I know is a huge ask, would be for the three different timelines to be illustrated by different artists, or in a slightly different style. I think that would have really given each timeline its own character.
July 15, 2025
I remember how fast I tore through the original version of this book. It tells the stories of three diferent refugees from three different eras: Josef from 1938 in Nazi Germany, Isabel from 1994 in Castro’s Cuba, and Mahmoud from 2015 in Assad’s Syria. I recall how the characters and their situations leapt off the pages and I could imagine the story as if it were a movie playing in my head. The artist for this soon to be released graphic adaptation must have seen the same movie I did because it’s exactly as I imagined it.
This adaptation stays pretty true to the original story, with only some quickening of the pace to keep the action moving. Readers who loved the original will enjoy this version as a different way to examine the story. Readers who haven’t yet read the narrative version will find this one to be an excellent starting point for further research on the people and places mentioned or perhaps a bridge to tackle the longer version.
The images intersperse maps and narration with character dialogue in panels that pull no emotional punches. Scenes from the original novel that are so heartbreaking (you know the ones) are somehow even more poignant as barely narrated panels.
This adaptation is not only going to be a HIGHLY popular addition to our classroom library, it’s going to make this magnificent novel more widely accessible. Well done!
On sale from Scholastic : September 16, 2025
Preorder from your favorite indie bookseller!
September 17, 2025
The stories of three teens: Josef in 1939 Germany, Isabel in 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud from 2015 Aleppo, are twisted together in this tale of strength, determination, and harrowing adventures.
It's a hard read today, when the world, when our country is so unsettled and divided. I really need to read 'happier' books. Yet, this is an important read for today!
Josef and his family escape from Nazi Germany in a time when no one, especially Jews, are safe from capture and death.
Havana Cuba where Isabel lives with her father and grandfather is erupting in turmoil and chaos. It’s a time of upheaval, of violence. And Isabel is determined to escape from the island to America.
Mahmoud and his family are trapped amidst bombs and warfare in 2015 Aleppo Syria.
Will these intrepid teens overcome their fears and find a place of refuge where they can live free from violence and hatred?
Alan Gratz translates his gripping, three-fold, story “Refugee” into an engaging Graphic Novel with every panel bringing the lives of the teens to life.
“Refugee” is a vivid portrayal of times of upheaval that will speak to teens and adults alike and a warning of what happens when evil rules the world.
Thanks to Graphix, a division of Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com for an ARC to read and review
It's a hard read today, when the world, when our country is so unsettled and divided. I really need to read 'happier' books. Yet, this is an important read for today!
Josef and his family escape from Nazi Germany in a time when no one, especially Jews, are safe from capture and death.
Havana Cuba where Isabel lives with her father and grandfather is erupting in turmoil and chaos. It’s a time of upheaval, of violence. And Isabel is determined to escape from the island to America.
Mahmoud and his family are trapped amidst bombs and warfare in 2015 Aleppo Syria.
Will these intrepid teens overcome their fears and find a place of refuge where they can live free from violence and hatred?
Alan Gratz translates his gripping, three-fold, story “Refugee” into an engaging Graphic Novel with every panel bringing the lives of the teens to life.
“Refugee” is a vivid portrayal of times of upheaval that will speak to teens and adults alike and a warning of what happens when evil rules the world.
Thanks to Graphix, a division of Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com for an ARC to read and review
December 17, 2025
’That’s when I know. This isn’t just where we’ll live. This feels like a home.’
Graphic novels aren’t usually my go-to 📚, but the story sounded like my kind of read—and I knew my grandson would love it too 💛.
Josef in 1930s Germany, Isabel in 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud in 2015 Syria all face immense challenges and heartbreak, driven by the same goal: survival 💔. While they are fictional characters, the story is rooted in real historical events 🌍.
I later discovered this was originally published as a traditional novel, which I’ve now added to my TBR 📖 and know I’ll enjoy. That said, the graphic version is incredibly well done. The artwork is phenomenal 🎨 and captures the emotional weight of the story beautifully. As an educational tool, I can see this being especially effective for teens interested in historical fiction, showing how children their own age have faced extraordinary difficulties in different times and places ✨.
Thank you to Scholastic UK for the gifted copy of Refugee, The Graphic novel by Alan Gratz, illustrated by Sid Fini.
Graphic novels aren’t usually my go-to 📚, but the story sounded like my kind of read—and I knew my grandson would love it too 💛.
Josef in 1930s Germany, Isabel in 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud in 2015 Syria all face immense challenges and heartbreak, driven by the same goal: survival 💔. While they are fictional characters, the story is rooted in real historical events 🌍.
I later discovered this was originally published as a traditional novel, which I’ve now added to my TBR 📖 and know I’ll enjoy. That said, the graphic version is incredibly well done. The artwork is phenomenal 🎨 and captures the emotional weight of the story beautifully. As an educational tool, I can see this being especially effective for teens interested in historical fiction, showing how children their own age have faced extraordinary difficulties in different times and places ✨.
Thank you to Scholastic UK for the gifted copy of Refugee, The Graphic novel by Alan Gratz, illustrated by Sid Fini.
November 24, 2025
Graphics artwork is illustrated wonderfully with brilliant colors. Four stories cycling. The book matches the chapter book with fewer words. I read this after the chapter book to pick up what I visually missed. It’s slightly sad because more than one child dies and another lost in search to be found. But some stories were happy to and this was the way life was for many folks and to be carried through each family’s story was a journey I wont forget. Great book and I recommend it, excellent history information inside and brought memories to me as a child when I made a friend from Turkey in the 1990s who’d just moved to the US with her family. To take a peek inside the history of how it was for that family is scary and am glad I had a chance to make a friend during those tough times. The times where people needed to unite from different cultures to expand life’s journey and the next generation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
4.5/5 stars. My kids read the chapter book version in class so when I saw there was a graphic novel version I wanted to read it to see what the kids had read about. It was very impactful, particularly as a child of refugees. It’s pretty nuanced for a middle grade book, and there are interesting points of comparison between the 3 settings and timelines (Germany fleeing to Cuba in 1930s, Cuba fleeing to US in 1990s, and Syria fleeing to Germany in 2010s). The connecting theme was surprising, organic, and heartfelt. It makes me want to now read the chapter book and explore Gratz’s other middle grade historical fiction (which honestly was not a genre I knew existed until now). His author’s note also highly elevates his novel as they pull from real refugee stories, and even some real individual figures named in his book.
Highly recommend as a family read, great discussion points, especially because the intertwining stories have varying degrees of “success” but all have too large a cost.
Highly recommend as a family read, great discussion points, especially because the intertwining stories have varying degrees of “success” but all have too large a cost.
June 26, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a fine treatment; the illustrations are attractive, and the story stays true to the original. Since the graphic version is shorter than the prose version, it seemed like the perspective changed every three pages, which gave me a bit of whiplash and made it hard to focus on the stories. I found myself wanting each of the three storylines to have a slightly different color palette to differentiate them, but this didn't happen. There are other original graphic novels about the plight of immigrants, like Colfer's 2018 Illegal, Brown's 2019 The Unwanteds, and Jamieson and Mohamed's 2020 When the Stars are Scattered that told their stories with a more effective use of pictures. Since I have five copies of the original Refugee (people kept donating copies, and they were popular for a while) I probably won't buy the graphic novel version.
This is a fine treatment; the illustrations are attractive, and the story stays true to the original. Since the graphic version is shorter than the prose version, it seemed like the perspective changed every three pages, which gave me a bit of whiplash and made it hard to focus on the stories. I found myself wanting each of the three storylines to have a slightly different color palette to differentiate them, but this didn't happen. There are other original graphic novels about the plight of immigrants, like Colfer's 2018 Illegal, Brown's 2019 The Unwanteds, and Jamieson and Mohamed's 2020 When the Stars are Scattered that told their stories with a more effective use of pictures. Since I have five copies of the original Refugee (people kept donating copies, and they were popular for a while) I probably won't buy the graphic novel version.
September 21, 2025
The original book on which this amazingly rendered graphic novel is based is stunning, filled with moving descriptions of the journeys of three youngsters and their families. While all three originate from different lands and seek refuge for different reasons, they also share some commonalities and connections. This illustrated version of their stories is just as memorable, and readers are sure to be moved by their experiences. Strangely enough, this rendering of their trials and tribulations seems fresh and new, make particularly relevant by recent political events. My heart pounded quickly as I followed these three (Josef, Isable, and Mahmoud) through much danger. (I read an Uncorrected Proof version of the graphic novel.)
October 31, 2025
A tale of three refugee stories: a boy trying to escape Nazi Germany by steamer, a girl trying to make the crossing from Cuba to Florida, and a boy trying to journey from Syria to Germany.
This book is kid friendly while featuring three world events that are decidedly not kid friendly. I think this is an important comic for folks to read to understand all the different facets and struggles of being a refugee, though it might be too serendipitous to be enjoyed by an actual refugee. It's based on a novel, and I'd be interested to see how the two compared, but woof. I don't think I could do this all again. Good for fans who like the more depressing I Survived Graphic Novels.
This book is kid friendly while featuring three world events that are decidedly not kid friendly. I think this is an important comic for folks to read to understand all the different facets and struggles of being a refugee, though it might be too serendipitous to be enjoyed by an actual refugee. It's based on a novel, and I'd be interested to see how the two compared, but woof. I don't think I could do this all again. Good for fans who like the more depressing I Survived Graphic Novels.
December 2, 2025
This #graphicnoveladaptation is a must read. Refugee has been in our school’s top ten for years and now that there’s a graphic novel adaptation I know it will reach even more students.
Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud’s stories are all depicted with their own colour scheme to differentiate the three stories, as they make their way from their home countries to their new destinations. The visuals add to the already powerful story and I know my students will be lining up to read this.
Who will like it?
✅ Fans of Refugee the novel
✅ Fans of historical fiction
✅ Fans of graphic novels
Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud’s stories are all depicted with their own colour scheme to differentiate the three stories, as they make their way from their home countries to their new destinations. The visuals add to the already powerful story and I know my students will be lining up to read this.
Who will like it?
✅ Fans of Refugee the novel
✅ Fans of historical fiction
✅ Fans of graphic novels
July 26, 2025
I absolutely LOVED the graphic novel edition of Refugee by Alan Gratz! Syd Fini did an incredible job bringing all of the characters to life and showing their harrowing stories. It’s just as suspenseful, hopeful, and heartbreaking as the original. Readers who have already read Refugee will love it and readers who haven’t will also love it! I can’t wait to see the full color version this September!!
November 10, 2025
Important stories to tell, especially to young people, but I don't know that the graphic novel format is the best for these stories, because I didn't connect to the characters. It felt a little forced and a little preachy. I wouldn't put it in my elementary library because parts are too severe/explicit ("the boy has pissed himself" on page 3 for crying out loud) and parts were too "everything is going to be okay." It's a delicate topic and a decent book, but I didn't love it.
August 30, 2025
I don’t know if this review is fair because the original version of Refugee written as a novel is one of my favorite middle grade books of all time. And after reading this, I just greatly prefer that. What will kids think? I’m excited to see, but I’m guessing they’ll be crazy about it. And it’s still wonderful, but the novel is just so unbeatable to me. :-)
October 20, 2025
Just as powerful but with farther reach as a graphic novel, this story is gut-punching. If young readers are listening to their families' news stations, they will have to see the connections between these stories of authoritarian rule in Cuba, Germany and Syria and that of the US in 2025. But keep that between us. #donotpissoffthelibrarians
November 2, 2025
A beautiful adaptation of the original Gratz book as a graphic novel to make it even more accessible to young folks in understanding the plight of refugees from around the globe.
The deep colors, the scenes, the emotion are all captured in a way that is easy to understand why it needed to be in this format as well (though don't scrimp and never read the original!)
The deep colors, the scenes, the emotion are all captured in a way that is easy to understand why it needed to be in this format as well (though don't scrimp and never read the original!)
November 8, 2025
I loved the novel & was so excited for it to be turned into a graphic novel. They did a nice job with it, but it left me wanting more! It was so short & switched so often between stories that it made it hard for me to feel connected. I am mostly blaming that on me not loving graphic novels in general.
December 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Refugee, a graphic novel by Alan Gratz
This was a story told from the perspective of three boys all trying to escape war and conflict in their country and they use every means possible to escape.
This was a traumatic and heartbreaking account of the dangers these boys faced as they tried to flee their country. They experienced agonising perils that no child should ever have to face.
However, there is hope and light within this book which connects the three boys in a positive and happier time. The illustrations by Syd Fini were fantastic and really captured the horror of the boys' journey.
This was a powerful, emotional and poignant book and definitely worth a read. Thanks to Scholastic for an advanced reading copy of this book. Refugee is available now.
This was a story told from the perspective of three boys all trying to escape war and conflict in their country and they use every means possible to escape.
This was a traumatic and heartbreaking account of the dangers these boys faced as they tried to flee their country. They experienced agonising perils that no child should ever have to face.
However, there is hope and light within this book which connects the three boys in a positive and happier time. The illustrations by Syd Fini were fantastic and really captured the horror of the boys' journey.
This was a powerful, emotional and poignant book and definitely worth a read. Thanks to Scholastic for an advanced reading copy of this book. Refugee is available now.
February 10, 2025
A beautiful and haunting graphic novel based on Alan Gratz's Refugee. It will bring a whole new generation of readers to the novel after they read this title by Graphix out 9/16. Gorgeous artwork by Syd Fini.
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