World Refugee Day Book List for Kids
June 20 is World Refugee Day
According to International Law, "a refugee is someone who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality." In other words, a refugee is someone who must leave his or her country because life is too dangerous there.
How awful to have to leave your home! It is estimated by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants that there are 6 million refugees in the Middle East, over 3 million in Africa, and another 3 million in Asia. And many of them are children just like you!
While it's impossible to truly imagine what it is like to be a refugee, reading books about their stories can help you to get a better understanding of what their lives are like. Here are some amazing books to get you started.
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
Two stories, told in alternating sections, about a girl in Sudan in 2008 and a boy in Sudan in 1985. Nya must fetch water from a pond that is a two-hour walk from her home. Salva is a refugee from the Sudan war searching for his family and a safe place to stay. By the end of the book, they meet in an unexpected way.
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
This book has no words, but it tells an incredible story of a man who leaves his country and literally feels like he's in an alien world because everything is so different from his home.
Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi
Samir is a Muslim Palestinian boy sharing a room with 4 Israeli Jews in an Israeli hospital. He's scared because he knows that some Israelis don't like Palestinians, and he doesn't know what they will do to him. This is a beautiful story about friendship overcoming prejudice.
Dawn and Dusk by Alice Mead
In 1987 Iran, Saddam Hussein's persecution of the Kurds forces 13-year-old Azad and his family to flee. You have probably heard about how cruel Saddam Hussein was during the Iraq War with the U.S., but this book shows you what life was like for the people way before that, during the war between Iraq and Iran.
A Faraway Island by Annika Thor
Two Jewish sisters are sent away from their home in Nazi-controlled Austria to Sweden where they will be safe. But everything is different, and they miss their parents and their old life before the Nazis came.
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson
During the Kosovo War in 1998, 12-year-old Meli and her family have to run away from the Serbian soldiers who don't want any Muslims in Kosovo. This book makes me so angry at people who hate other people for no reason!
Red Midnight by Ben Mikaelsen
This is a fast-paced survival adventure story about a 12-year-old boy in Guatemala who has to run away one night when soldiers destroy his village. He has to sail for 3 weeks in shark-infested waters and hope he makes it to America without starving or dying of thirst.
Understanding is the first step to bringing peace to our world. I hope reading these books will help you better understand refugees' lives, and inspire you to make a difference!
— 
Beedle Beedle Beedle!!! I hate pie!
Comment #1 | Posted by: l123 on June 14, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Aww.... How sad.
Comment #2 | Posted by: **Fairy~Emerald~31** on June 14, 2012 at 09:53 AM
i have a question about this book what is the main idea and where dose it take place!!!
Comment #3 | Posted by: olivia on June 14, 2012 at 10:59 AM
These stories are so sad!I am so happy to live in canada and I'm glad I can help!
Comment #4 | Posted by: Mark on June 14, 2012 at 11:16 AM
That is very sad like eleven years old children has to run away from their homes to survive.
Comment #5 | Posted by: lightningthief3 on June 14, 2012 at 04:15 PM
ok well new update miley cyrus is geting married well she is a fiance so miley cyrus you go girl
Comment #6 | Posted by: jeffrey on June 14, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Beedle Beedle Beedle!!! I hate pie!
Comment #7 | Posted by: I don't exist on June 17, 2012 at 09:47 AM
That Is Sad that they didn't do anything
Comment #8 | Posted by: TurquoisePanda37 on June 17, 2012 at 01:54 PM
3 MILLION in asia really i used to live in asia
Comment #9 | Posted by: W on June 18, 2012 at 01:44 PM
:(
Comment #10 | Posted by: Lili on June 18, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Im glad I don`t have to leave my home. :d
Comment #11 | Posted by: Lili on June 18, 2012 at 07:05 PM
Beedle Beedle Beedle!!! I hate pie!
Comment #12 | Posted by: Guppy lord on June 19, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Beedle Beedle Beedle!!! I hate pie!
Comment #13 | Posted by: E on June 20, 2012 at 08:50 AM
I LOVE PIE
Comment #14 | Posted by: callie on June 25, 2012 at 05:23 PM
so sad...i know some here in my country,too....
Comment #15 | Posted by: Jewel on June 27, 2012 at 04:15 AM
Aww !!!!!! :-( :-(
Comment #16 | Posted by: bikingfashionista4 on June 30, 2012 at 05:05 AM
wowa
Comment #17 | Posted by: shoppingflexing2 on July 04, 2012 at 09:25 PM