Refugee is a historical fiction novel written in 2017 that weaves together three compelling stories of families seeking sanctuary in other countries. Students will see themselves in the young protagonists: children faced with tragic circumstances but who, at their heart, are just kids who love their families and want to live in peace.
There are many vocabulary terms and allusions present in the novel Refugee that would be helpful for students to preview. These will aid in overall comprehension of the book and an understanding of the time periods. This storyboard features a terms from each of the three stories along with definitions and illustrations.
Storyboard Text
KRISTALLNACHT
“in shortest order, actions against Jews and especially their synagogues will take place in all of Germany. These are not to be interfered with.” -Gestapo chief Heinrich Müller in a telegram to all police units
MALECONAZO UPRISING
"Libertad!"
SYRIAN CIVIL WAR
Kristallnacht ("night of broken glass") was a a series of coordinated terror attacks on Jewish people throughout Germany. On November 9-10, 1938, Nazis burned down synagogues, vandalized homes, schools, and businesses, killed almost 100 Jews, and sent 30,000 innocent Jewish men to concentration camps.
1938
The Maleconazo uprising was a protest against the Cuban government on Aug. 5, 1994. Cuba was in economic crisis and protests became violent. Hundreds took to streets in Havana, chanting "Libertad!". Castro responded by saying "the counterrevolutionaries" could leave. 35,000 fled, mostly by boat or raft, to the US.
1994
The Syrian civil war is an ongoing armed conflict with the Ba'ath government, led by dictator Bashar Al-Assad against people who want to remove the government. The conflict began on March 15, 2011. It has been the most deadly conflict of the 21st century with over 250,000 dead and millions of refugees.