REFUGEE, by Alan Gratz

The story: Three kids, tied together by their refugee status across cultures and decades, never know each other and yet are tied together in unimaginable ways. Josef and his family are trying to flee to safety ahead of the Nazi blitzkrieg; Isabelle and her family are desperate to leave Cuba and make it to the US; and Mahmoud's story shows that life continues dangerous for people in war-torn countries even into the 21st century. The more some things change, the more they remain the same...

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G: Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (Nazi atrocities; war crimes, violence against refugees, political turmoil) PG; overall rating PG.

Liz's comments: I've really liked everything I've read by Alan Gratz. This was particularly ambitious, but very well done and neatly tied together at the end. If a bunch of kids (and adults) across the country could read a book like this, it might help us become less complacent in our affluent situations, and more likely to reach out. Recommended. (Too bad the publishers limited its appeal by making the kid on the front cover look eight years old. All the kids in the story are 12-13.)