Customer Reviews

Refugees

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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When our son was young, we greatly valued books we could enjoy ourselves as we read to him. Refugees, by Catherine Stine is a Young Adult book that can be enjoyed by any parent or teacher and used as a jumping off-point for study and discussion. We found ourselves completely spellbound as the of adventure unfolded.

The story is well-researched and beautifully written. Readers will find it satisfies the intellect and emotions at once as it is both educationally nourishing and a suspenseful page-turner. It follows two teens, an Afganistani boy and an American girl through the life-transforming time of 9/11. It explores cultural values, alternatives to violence, and examines how we define such things as bravery and family.

We most highly recommend this book, especially at this time, when compassionate communication, empathy and widening perspectives are crucial.

Refugees - an excellent read, indeed. The story is touching, suspenseful, and filled with an impressive knowledge base of the history of Afghanistan. More to the point, the timing of such a book is crucial. The complex, political weave manifests itself beautifully within Johar's internal process, and parallels Dawn's awakening with soulful authenticity. Three cheers for Stine's ability to craft a story of hope in this fractured world.

This book was really new and different. Captivating. A fast read. I could not put it down. It is hard to believe that it's fiction. I don't want to give away the ending, but the two character's stories are so intricately woven yet they don't know each other. I saw it at a book fair and picked it up, now I'm ordering Refugees for my friend's daughter, who is 16. I also recommend it for adults. Really great, very moving and thoughtful. When I think about it, it hits me... we're all refugees one way or another.

This novel tells the stories of two teens on opposite sides of the globe, both caught in terrible circumstances. Dawn is a foster child runaway caught in New York City on the fateful day of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Johar is a poet fleeing the terrible armies of the Taliban in Afghanistan. How their lives find a way to touch is the heart of this novel.

It is hard to believe this is a first book. I love the way this author draws such different worlds with such compelling, sensual detail. Dawn's internal emotional struggle is depicted with restraint and realism. Johar's collapsing world is at once exciting and heart breaking. All in all, this is a great book with wonderful characters and a lively story, and will be appreciated by people of all ages. Highly recommended.