World Refugee Day/Week

World Refugee Day falls on June 20th, and is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor, acknowledge, and celebrate refugees and the the strength and courage of people who are forced to flee their home to escape conflict or persecution. This is a curated list of children's books in English and Spanish that represent the Refugee experience.

Updated June 18, 2025
Lewisville Public Library
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Yusra swims
Abery, Julie
Paper Book
The true story of Yusra Mardini, as portrayed in the Netflix movie "The Swimmers".   Yusra Mardini loves to swim. As a girl in Damascus, she dreams about swimming for her country in the Olympics. But then war intervenes. Julie Abery's spare, rhyming verse...
Refugee
Gratz, Alan
Paper Book
The award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novel from Alan Gratz tells the timely--and timeless--story of three different kids seeking refuge. A New York Times bestseller! JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration...
When stars are scattered
Jamieson, Victoria
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab,...
Lost and found cat : the true story of Kunkush's incredible journey
Kuntz, Doug
Paper Book
This heartwarming true story of one lost cat's journey to be reunited with his refugee family gently introduces children to a difficult topic and shows how ordinary people can help with compassion and hope.   When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can...
Inside out & back again
Lai, Thanhha.
Paper Book
Inside Out and Back Again is a #1 New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award! Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee--fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama--this coming-of-age debut novel told...
La frontera : el viaje con papá = My journey with papa
Mills, Deborah (Architect)
Paper Book
★ "So simple, but so beautiful, the story depicts what many must go through when seeking a better life in America" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review For over 100 years, Alfredo's family has lived in the same small village in Mexico. He loves playing...
The banana-leaf ball : how play can change the world
Milway, Katie Smith
Paper Book
Separated from his family when they were forced to flee their home, a young East African boy named Deo lives alone in the Lukole refugee camp in Tanzania. With scarce resources at the camp, bullies have formed gangs to steal what they can, and a leader named Remy has begun targeting Deo. Then one...
The red pencil
Pinkney, Andrea Davis
Paper Book
"Amira, look at me," Muma insists. She collects both my hands in hers. "The Janjaweed attack without warning. If ever they come-- run." Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a...
Me and my fear
Sanna, Francesca
Paper Book
"With its warm palette and gentle scenes of the worried child being comforted, this book could function as a sequel to Sanna's astounding debut picture book, The Journey, which recounted a family's dangerous flight from their home in a war zone. Sanna provides an empathetic exploration of...
Me and my fear
Sanna, Francesca
Paper Book
"With its warm palette and gentle scenes of the worried child being comforted, this book could function as a sequel to Sanna's astounding debut picture book, The Journey, which recounted a family's dangerous flight from their home in a war zone. Sanna provides an empathetic exploration of...
Gibberish
Vo, Young
Paper Book
BEST OF THE YEAR Kirkus · Parents · Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association · Chicago Public Library · Washington Post · Evanston Public Library · Los Angeles Public Library Charlotte Huck Recommended Book Common Sense Media...
Other words for home
Warga, Jasmine
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor Book! A gorgeously written, hopeful middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who must leave Syria to move to the United States, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Aisha Saeed. Jude never thought she'd be...
The rock in my throat
Yang, Kao Kalia
Paper Book
Praise for The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin: Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book Honor Booklist Editor's Choice The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Award Heartland Booksellers Award Finalist...

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