Josef Landau is a Jewish boy, from Berlin, Germany. He is 12 years old when the story takes place, in 1938. Josef's father is taken away to a concentration camp for being Jewish and practicing law. Six months later, the Landau family receives a telegram. The telegram states that Papa may be released, but only if he leaves Germany within 14 days. Josef's family is to go on a journey to Cuba, and they get reunited on board of the MS St. Louis. As the MS St. Louis heads toward Cuba, Josef learns more about his father, and what the concentration camp has done to him. Once the boat makes it to the land that he believes will change his life forever, Josef learns that the real journey has only just begun.
Isabel Fernandez is an 11 year old from Cuba. During 1994, Fidel Castro allows citizens to leave Cuba freely. Isabel's family and neighbors head on a journey to America. Troubles of their self-made boat, troubles in the water, a storm, Isabel's mothers pregnancy, and many more troubles surround them. Isabel and her family work very hard to get to Cuba, but little do they realize that their freedom comes at a cost. A very pricey cost.
Mahmoud Bishara is a 13 year old boy from Syria during 2015. As war and fear spread throughout his country, Mahmoud's family leaves Syria, to seek safety in Germany. They go on a long trek and face a lot of dangers. Mahmoud's family is held at gunpoint, capsizes with a boat, and sent to a jail-like place for refugees. Mahmoud's journey brings him to face challenges that are impossible to imagine, let alone go through. "
I really enjoyed this book. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. Each story illustrates the fears that any refugee faces, and the risks that they have to take for their survival. I think the book is well written, and easy to comprehend. Another thing I liked is how the characters stories tie together at the end. One thing I was not particularly fond of, and the reason why it was only 4 out of 5 stars, was how it seemed that each chapter lead to a new danger approaching. It seemed a little unrealistic, but I don't know for sure, because I was never in a situation even close to similar the refugees situations. Other than that, I thought the book was very good, and a different part of the book that I loved was how the characters stories lead to be connected by the end of the book. I like this, because I think it shows how one persons decision can stay with them for the rest of their life, or even completely change some one else's life. If you have read other books by Alan Gratz, or enjoy historical fiction, then I would definitely recommend this book for you.
Reviewed by Claire H. 8th Grade