The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees
- Downloads：5495
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-07-21 06:51:46
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Don Brown
- ISBN：0358452147
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
Sibert Honor Medalist ∙ New York Public Library Best of 2018 ∙ The Horn Book Fanfare 2018 ∙ Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018 ∙ YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Winner
In the tradition of two-time Sibert Honor winner Don Brown’s critically acclaimed full-color nonfiction graphic novels The Great American Dust Bowl and Drowned City， The Unwanted is a timely and eye-opening exploration of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis， exposing the harsh realities of living in， and trying to escape， a war zone。
Starting in 2011， refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions。 The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighboring countries， and chaos follows。 Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows。 By 2017， many want to turn their backs on the victims。 The refugees are the unwanted。
Don Brown depicts moments of both heartbreaking horror and hope in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis。 Shining a light on the stories of the survivors， The Unwanted is a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action for all those who read。
In the tradition of two-time Sibert Honor winner Don Brown’s critically acclaimed full-color nonfiction graphic novels The Great American Dust Bowl and Drowned City， The Unwanted is a timely and eye-opening exploration of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis， exposing the harsh realities of living in， and trying to escape， a war zone。
Starting in 2011， refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions。 The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighboring countries， and chaos follows。 Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows。 By 2017， many want to turn their backs on the victims。 The refugees are the unwanted。
Don Brown depicts moments of both heartbreaking horror and hope in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis。 Shining a light on the stories of the survivors， The Unwanted is a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action for all those who read。
Reviews
Anna
，
This graphic novel provided a great basic overview of the suffering of Syrian refugees since protests began in the country in 2011。 It focused more on personal experience rather than history， which helped paint a really human and sympathetic portrayal of these refugees' stories。 I would recommend this graphic novel for anyone who is new to reading nonfiction or is new to the topic of the Syrian crisis as the information included is basic and easy to understand。 For anyone looking for a more comp This graphic novel provided a great basic overview of the suffering of Syrian refugees since protests began in the country in 2011。 It focused more on personal experience rather than history， which helped paint a really human and sympathetic portrayal of these refugees' stories。 I would recommend this graphic novel for anyone who is new to reading nonfiction or is new to the topic of the Syrian crisis as the information included is basic and easy to understand。 For anyone looking for a more complex and nuanced history or personal experience， I would say you wouldn't miss anything by skipping this one。 。。。more
Emma Rose Puckett
，
This was a great moving book with illustrations that captures the hardships very well！
Montzalee Wittmann
，
A very hard hitting book！ More should read it！The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian RefugeesBy Don BrownThis book starts out by explaining how all of it started and escalated。 It follows the typical Syrian family or families and how they try to escape and where they would have to go and how。 What they would have to encounter along the way。 What would be the likely outcome。 Where are most of the refugees now？ How are they living？ Why are they not getting help？ All is explained in here in a way that A very hard hitting book！ More should read it！The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian RefugeesBy Don BrownThis book starts out by explaining how all of it started and escalated。 It follows the typical Syrian family or families and how they try to escape and where they would have to go and how。 What they would have to encounter along the way。 What would be the likely outcome。 Where are most of the refugees now？ How are they living？ Why are they not getting help？ All is explained in here in a way that makes sense and none of it is the refugees fault。 None！ They are trying to survive！ To keep their kids alive！ I would do the same。 It's a heartbreaking thing that's happening and it's the same as South America。 But no one wants to help the immigrants that are fleeing for their lives either！ Not even the new president。 Shameful！ 。。。more
Beth
，
Incredibly moving tale of Syrian refugees and their lives in camps， trying to cross borders， trying to stay alive。 Impressive bibliography， author has visited several camps himself。 Illustrations are haunting and beautiful。
Ms。 Burleson
，
As I'm not an avid reader of graphic novels， I read the critiques of other readers regarding the narrative and the art。 If you're highly familiar with the crisis， the stories and the art might seem simplistic。 However， I'm looking at this book from the lens of a high school library --and for this audience， I think it's an excellent primer for students。 It's less about individual stories than collective stories， but I think that's important for showing the big picture。 It also provides some factu As I'm not an avid reader of graphic novels， I read the critiques of other readers regarding the narrative and the art。 If you're highly familiar with the crisis， the stories and the art might seem simplistic。 However， I'm looking at this book from the lens of a high school library --and for this audience， I think it's an excellent primer for students。 It's less about individual stories than collective stories， but I think that's important for showing the big picture。 It also provides some factual context -- maps， statistics， and background information -- which will help student readers who are not well versed on recent current events in Syria。 I think that that the simple visuals complement the narrative。 Simple facial expressions， a neutral color palette， and easy to read panels with limited text are suited to a book that is intended to be a primer on the topic。 Excellent book for a high school library to complement others that might focus more upon an individual refugee's experience 。。。more
Karen Sheehan
，
Sad but hopefulI am reading this with a group of students。 The pictures aid in comprehension。 This is a heartbreaking situation， but the author does a good job of including hopeful tales along with the desperate ones。
Kimberly
，
Well done but wish it was longer and had more information
Yvonne Manette
，
This was a very eye opening book giving a recount of the Syrian refugee history。 It was short and concise， yet powerful with the graphics that the book had。 Definitely a must read for children in the USA to open their eyes to conflicts and hardships throughout the world。
Jodi
，
I had not understood much about what specific events had led to the Syrian refugee crisis， but this book helped。 The gravity of the numbers of people was also not as clear to me beforehand。 I am so thankful that the U。S。 is now planning to welcome many more refugees that under the Trump presidency and I grieve for how Trump's rhetoric and policies harmed so many。 I pray that people's hearts and minds will be opened。 I had not understood much about what specific events had led to the Syrian refugee crisis， but this book helped。 The gravity of the numbers of people was also not as clear to me beforehand。 I am so thankful that the U。S。 is now planning to welcome many more refugees that under the Trump presidency and I grieve for how Trump's rhetoric and policies harmed so many。 I pray that people's hearts and minds will be opened。 。。。more
Scott Ollar
，
Over-simplified。 Offers very little concrete information/statistics given its length。 No solutions suggested。
Elise
，
I read this with a student as part of a literature unit about refugees。 It is a moving graphic novel that utilizes its medium to effectively show to experience of Syrian refugees。 It’s definitely a story that is told well through illustrations。It is a very short book and I think it could have been much longer to really explain the entirety of the crisis， but based on the author’s note at the end of the book， I understand why they chose to keep a narrow focus。 As a reader， I just prefer longer gr I read this with a student as part of a literature unit about refugees。 It is a moving graphic novel that utilizes its medium to effectively show to experience of Syrian refugees。 It’s definitely a story that is told well through illustrations。It is a very short book and I think it could have been much longer to really explain the entirety of the crisis， but based on the author’s note at the end of the book， I understand why they chose to keep a narrow focus。 As a reader， I just prefer longer graphic novels and it would’ve been nice to follow one or two characters through their journey。 。。。more
Kelly
，
Very factual and well researched information about the Syrian Refugee Crisis which still exists。 This text will be a great resource for supplemental reading in my classroom！
Alyssa
，
The text is mostly an impersonal factual description from an omniscient narrator。 Interspersed throughout the accounts of violence and bigotry are the voices of the refugees themselves。 The illustrations appear to stare right at the reader; speech bubbles popping from their mouths utter tragic realities， such as:t“We gave our babies pills so they wouldn’t cry” （21）。t“I tried to catch my wife and children in my arms。 But one by one， they drowned” （33）。t“I have a two-year-old brother。 My mother is The text is mostly an impersonal factual description from an omniscient narrator。 Interspersed throughout the accounts of violence and bigotry are the voices of the refugees themselves。 The illustrations appear to stare right at the reader; speech bubbles popping from their mouths utter tragic realities， such as:t“We gave our babies pills so they wouldn’t cry” （21）。t“I tried to catch my wife and children in my arms。 But one by one， they drowned” （33）。t“I have a two-year-old brother。 My mother is pregnant。 My dad is sick。 It’s up to me alone to bring bread to the table” （52）。tFace to face with these people， the readers see their humanity amidst their horrific struggle。 This book is powerful， and it also offers hope。 It does this by closing with stories of the successes of several Syrian refugees。 Their triumph demonstrates the power of the people。 Despite hardship and absolute loss， these strong people persevere， building new lives for themselves。 Humans are powerful， and small acts of kindness matter。 。。。more
Deb （Readerbuzz） Nance
，
Don Brown tells the stories of refugees escaping from war-torn Syria in this powerful graphic novel。 It's not just the leaving that is traumatic， but also the arriving; refugees are not wanted in most countries where they find a place of safety。 Many refugees end up staying in temporary quarters for years。 Their numbers overwhelm the countries where they settle。 It is a story that needed to be told， and Brown tells the story in a way that allows the reader to understand the frustration of both t Don Brown tells the stories of refugees escaping from war-torn Syria in this powerful graphic novel。 It's not just the leaving that is traumatic， but also the arriving; refugees are not wanted in most countries where they find a place of safety。 Many refugees end up staying in temporary quarters for years。 Their numbers overwhelm the countries where they settle。 It is a story that needed to be told， and Brown tells the story in a way that allows the reader to understand the frustration of both the refugees and those living in places that offer sanctuary。 。。。more
Emma Wilson
，
The book was pretty good and a quick read as well— I read the whole thing during the free time after MAP test。 The artwork very much fit the vibe of the book， but the only thing I didn’t like was how most of the book was just informational text instead of a nice balance between narrative and informational。
Addie Stevens
，
I bought this book for my almost 10 year old， but wanted to read it myself first to have an idea of questions she may ask。 This was well done， and the graphics were telling without being too graphic for young readers。 Let’s face it， they see worse on the news and in video games。 I would recommend this to parents and kids alike。 It makes for great discussion， too。
Stella
，
Don Brown’s books are generally quite informative， but I can’t say I really “like” them。 His illustrations are drab even when he isn’t discussing a dreary topic， so here they are downright depressing。 I learn a lot， but can’t get my kids to read the book。
Karen
，
3。5
Emily
，
sad
Hayden Mitchell
，
Interesting read， allowed an insiders look in a problem that I didn't here much about。 It was interesting to read about the hardships or a refugee nation Interesting read， allowed an insiders look in a problem that I didn't here much about。 It was interesting to read about the hardships or a refugee nation 。。。more
Janeen Pizzo
，
A moving， informative graphic novel designed to share the stories of refugees。 This would be a powerful text to read with kiddos as conversations around refugees intensifies and is sure to build empathy and connections to experiences many refugees face。
Kathy
，
This was a difficult read， real difficult。
Karina Cortes
，
The writing in this book is a little choppy; however the stories he tells are heartbreaking。 The idea of sharing the stories through a graphic novel- is definitely beneficial as it brings the stories to life。 I would recommend this book to parents/educators who wanted to inform their tween/teenage children to the refugee crisis。
Aj Sterkel
，
This book is exactly what it says on the cover。 It’s a basic overview of the civil war in Syria and the resulting refugee crisis。 The book is meant for kids， so it doesn’t go into much depth。 If you read newspapers， you probably won’t learn anything new from it。 The graphics are informative and quick to read。 I think it would satisfy a child’s curiosity without overwhelming them with details。 Mostly， it made me want to read a memoir about Syria that’s actually written by a Syrian refugee。 This g This book is exactly what it says on the cover。 It’s a basic overview of the civil war in Syria and the resulting refugee crisis。 The book is meant for kids， so it doesn’t go into much depth。 If you read newspapers， you probably won’t learn anything new from it。 The graphics are informative and quick to read。 I think it would satisfy a child’s curiosity without overwhelming them with details。 Mostly， it made me want to read a memoir about Syria that’s actually written by a Syrian refugee。 This graphic novel is journalism。 The author did a bunch of research and reported what he discovered。 There’s nothing wrong with reporting， but it does create distance between the reader and the refugees he’s writing about。 The author is an outsider looking at a crisis。 I’d prefer to hear about the crisis from someone who was impacted by it。 So， tell me about books written by refugees， please！Do you like opinions， giveaways， and bookish nonsense？ I have a blog for that。 。。。more
John Bond
，
Great insight into what the world loves to ignore: Refugees。
Joe。A。Schmidtgmail。Com
，
I found many of the pictures and moments in this story very powerful and touching。 I am uneducated about the Syrian refugees， and after reading this， I do feel like I have a better understanding of what is going on and can actually form an opinion on the levels of help that these people need。This was a very fast read。 The story was in the timeline of events。 While reading this， I think it reminded me of a movie trailer more than anything else。 Images flash across the screen with one or two power I found many of the pictures and moments in this story very powerful and touching。 I am uneducated about the Syrian refugees， and after reading this， I do feel like I have a better understanding of what is going on and can actually form an opinion on the levels of help that these people need。This was a very fast read。 The story was in the timeline of events。 While reading this， I think it reminded me of a movie trailer more than anything else。 Images flash across the screen with one or two powerful lines to help move the trailer along。 I don't think that I would use this book to teach， but I do think that it is a good one to have and one that I think students could get a lot out of in a very short period of time 。。。more
Mr。Schmidt BSHS
，
I found many of the pictures and moments in this story very powerful and touching。 I am uneducated about the Syrian refugees， and after reading this， I do feel like I have a better understanding of what is going on and can actually form an opinion on the levels of help that these people need。This was a very fast read。 The story was in the timeline of events。 While reading this， I think it reminded me of a movie trailer more than anything else。 Images flash across the screen with one or two power I found many of the pictures and moments in this story very powerful and touching。 I am uneducated about the Syrian refugees， and after reading this， I do feel like I have a better understanding of what is going on and can actually form an opinion on the levels of help that these people need。This was a very fast read。 The story was in the timeline of events。 While reading this， I think it reminded me of a movie trailer more than anything else。 Images flash across the screen with one or two powerful lines to help move the trailer along。 I don't think that I would use this book to teach， but I do think that it is a good one to have and one that I think students could get a lot out of in a very short period of time。 。。。more
Lynsey Sharp
，
Grounded in meticulous research and the author’s own experiences visiting refugee camps， this nonfiction graphic novel interweaves chronology and statistics about the Syrian Civil War with refugees’ heart-wrenching experiences fleeing the country。
Robyn Schultz （ladyrobyns）
，
I really like this book。 The stark drawings really bring home the devastation of the Syrian refugees。 This book is a great starting point to learn about this disaster。 The bibliography gives a list of books to read to expand your knowledge， if you're so inclined。 I really like this book。 The stark drawings really bring home the devastation of the Syrian refugees。 This book is a great starting point to learn about this disaster。 The bibliography gives a list of books to read to expand your knowledge， if you're so inclined。 。。。more
David
，