Psalm 101:3
Quick Answer: Prayerfully Consider
Concern Level: Medium-High
This book uses extensive, extreme measures to show the plight of the refugees that parents should be very cautious about. From Redeemed Reader: 'chil... → Continue reading below
Refugee
VERDICT: Prayerfully Consider
Concern Level: Medium-High
Christian Parent Review
Concern LevelMedium-High
Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content
This book uses extensive, extreme measures to show the plight of the refugees that parents should be very cautious about. From Redeemed Reader: 'children, with their families, begin a journey fraught with anxiety, tension, cruelty, kindness, frustration, peril–and loss. The author pulls no punches. Though the violence is not graphic, some gut-wrenching scenes will disturb sensitive readers.' Please consider reading through the 'Violence/Gore' section of the 'Compass Book Rating' Review before allowing a child to read. There is also is a risk of oversimplification of a complex topic - if parents aren't cautious/involved/intentional, the good message we need to hear may also come with a takeaway that 'refugees are the good/innocent guys, governments that don't fully open borders and welcome all are bad'. The word 'Hell' is also used.
VerdictPrayerfully Consider
Our Thoughts
If a parent is comfortable with the maturity of their child relative to the perilous content of this book, it can be a resource to spark excellent conversation on an important current-day topic. It does a really nice job of putting a face to the countless refugees who certainly fall into the 'least of these' category Jesus speaks of. Redeemed Reader points out, 'Some of us could stand to be a little disturbed, and these stories put a human face on an issue that frequently blares out of the news programs we watch–or barely heed.' However, with that said, this review also points out that the book only presents one side of a tricky issue (and does it in a 'highly-charged, emotional way'). An author (or any information source) only emphasizing one side of a topic is an important caution teach your kids to watch for. Of course, Christians have had to flee persecution throughout history (including many still today). This is another conversation topic that this book can be used to spark. You may want to only consider this book if you are ready to invest the time to engage with your child on this subject in an ongoing, meaningful way.
Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.Use with caution
A tour de force from acclaimed author Alan Gratz (Prisoner B-3087), this timely -- and timeless -- novel tells the powerful story of three different children seeking refuge. A New York Times bestseller! 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. This action-packed novel tackles topics both timely and timeless: courage, survival, and the quest for home.
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Other Reviews for this Book
Redeemed Reader
This is a very helpful review.
Read ReviewCompass Book Ratings
Solid review. Does a nice job of summarizing the 'periolous' content parents need to make sure their child is ready for before reading.
This site was a spin-off from Squeaky Clean Reviews, which was a Christian review site. It looks like there was an intentional move away from faith-based reviews as the new site now mentions nothing of reviewing from a Christian perspective.
Read ReviewCommon Sense Media
CSM at times can provide helpful insight into concerning content, but they often promote a liberal secular worldview that Christians should be very cautious of. Also, while sometimes helpful, always be cautious of putting too much weight on 'parent' reviews
Read ReviewScripture Reflection
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
— 1 Peter 5:8-9
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