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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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,...
Who belongs here? : an American story
Knight, Margy Burns.
Paper Book
This book helps children understand two of the most challenging issues of our time-immigration quotas and racism-in a sensitive way that encourages dialogue and creative problem-solving. Nary, a young Cambodian boy, flees the civil war in his homeland and leaves his family behind for a new life in...
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...
Finding home : the journey of immigrants and refugees
Lee, Jen Sookfong
Paper Book
What drives people to search for new homes? From war zones to politics, there are many reasons why people have always searched for a place to call home. InFinding Home: The Journey of Immigrants and Refugeeswe discover how human migration has shaped our world. We explore its origins and...
A story like the wind
Lewis, Gill
Paper Book
A masterful story about the power of hope  Rami is in a small dinghy filled with strangers, all of them refugees seeking a safe harbor. But with no motor, no oars, and a rising tide, their situation looks bleak. So Rami pulls out the only thing he brought with him--a violin-...
Still dreaming = Seguimos so?ndo
Martinez, Claudia Guadalupe
Paper Book
Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor 2023 - American Library Association (ALA) A 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Honor In the first children's book to describe the long-forgotten chapter of US history known as Mexican Repatriation, a boy and his family leave their...
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 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...
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...

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