21 Feb Understanding Our Neighbors: Refugee Experiences
Since 1975, the United States has welcomed over 3.6 million refugees – people who have had to flee their home countries due to war or political persecution. When talking about refugees, children may have a lot of questions such as “What is a refugee?” and might struggle to understand why their neighbors do things differently than they do. Reading stories can help children better contextualize their neighbors’ experiences and cultural differences. The following stories focus on refugee experiences and can help us better understand our new neighbors and the amazing journeys they have been on to live here with us.
Informational books
What is a refugee? by Elise Gravel
This informational picture book explains the term ‘refugee’ to young children and seeks to answer questions that kids might have about refugees and their experiences. \
Picture books for younger children
Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar
This beautifully illustrated picture book follows the story of an immigrant girl who struggles with loneliness and isolation, but finds encouragement from her aunt who tells her a myth about her ancestors who sought refuge in India.
The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit
This picture book presents an allegorical story of the refugee experience. In it, the capybaras seek refuge from hunters in a nearby chicken coop. While the new inhabitants are initially met with some uncertainty, the chickens learn the importance of caring for each other despite differences.
Marwan’s Journey by Patricia de Arias
This picture book follows a young boy who flees his homeland and goes on a journey to find a safe place to live.
Like a dandelion by Huy Voun Lee
This poetic picture book is inspired by the author’s childhood experience of moving to the United States from Cambodia and offers a beautiful story of setting down new roots and blossoming in a new home.
A Vietnamese refugee who resettled in Canada as a child, the author draws an analogy between her experiences and the resilient nature of ants in this wordless picture book.
Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans
A story based on the author’s own childhood experience fleeing from Vietnam and finding refuge in America, this picture book focuses on family bonds and the resilience of refugees trying to find a better life for themselves and their families.
Refugee stories for older children
Journeys to refuge
Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai
This story follows Nadia, a young Syrian refugee who is separated from her family while fleeing their home in Aleppo. She navigates several dangerous situations on her way to her father at the Turkish border.
This novel follows the story of three different refugee children from three different time periods and three countries of origin who seek safety and a new life despite the dangers they face. While they are different in many ways, their stories are tied together in the end. A New York Times best seller for more than four years.
Putting down new roots
Samira surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz
A Rohingya girl who has resettled in Bangladesh works to rebuild her life and self-identity through surfing.
Other words for home by Jasmine Warga
This novel follows a Syrian refugee who has had to leave her brother and father behind and create a new life in America. Although initially overwhelmed by the new community and experiences, Jude begins to slowly settle into her new home.
Sources
USAFacts Team. How many refugees are entering the US? https://usafacts.org/articles/how-many-refugees-are-entering-the-us.
USA for UNHCR. Refugee Facts: Refugees in America. https://unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/usa/
Written by Amy R., Youth Services Library Assistant
