While stories of Syrian refugees have dominated news over the past several years, I haven’t read a compilation quite like “Stormy Seas” before with stories from refugees of many different events. The overwhelming takeaway for me is that refugees aren’t trying to get somewhere. But they are trying to get away. The devastating circumstances that drive people away from their homes often builds over time in the country from which people are fleeing but from the outside global community appears to be both sudden and unexpected. As a result, countries welcoming (or not so welcoming as reality seems to deem) refugees are often unprepared for the influx of people. Stormy Seas presents the people behind the gates of the camps who risked everything to make it that far. Including stories from Germany, Vietnam, Cuba, Afghanistan, and the Ivory Coast, young readers will relate to the stories of the 11 to 18 year old narrator’s of their own experiences.
“I am not particularly interested in going to America. I am interested in staying alive.” - Ruth
The book design with quotes pulled out and emphasized will draw the eye of the reader. The timelines included in each story helps to understand the span of time relative to war or other genocidal catastrophes. The photographs and consistent color scheme help to connect the dots of our collective history relative to refugees.
Title: Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees
Author: Mary Beth Leatherdale and Eleanor Shakespeare
Published 2017 by Annick Press
ISBN: 978-1-55451-896-8
This book was sent by the publisher for review purposes.
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