Age rating and parents' guide:Refugee
by Alan Gratz
Ages 12–14
Refugee by Alan Gratz is best for children aged 12–14. It has moderate violence, intense scary scenes, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: War, peril, loss.
This gripping story follows three children fleeing danger in different eras: Josef in Nazi Germany in 1938, Isabel in 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud in 2015 Syria. Each child embarks on a perilous journey across land and sea in search of freedom and a safe place to call home. Fast-paced chapters alternate between the three viewpoints, showing immense courage amid terrifying circumstances. Readers are drawn in by the intense suspense, deep empathy, and the poignant ways the three journeys eventually intersect.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Moderate
- Scary moments
- Strong
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: War, peril, loss
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Emotionally intense
Great for kids who like
- Action & Adventure
Reading mood
- Adventurous
- Thoughtful
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Survival & resilience
- Action & Adventure
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