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paperbacksandpines's review
4.0
This book was a heartbreaking take on the Syrian refugee crisis. Aimed at young adult readers, the subject matter lays out the events leading up to the refugee crisis in a clear and straightforward manner so that anyone without background knowledge won't be left in the dark. The book reads as a collection of anecdotes from a host of different people.
The anecdotes form a cohesive narrative. I was left with important questions such as what responsibility does humankind have for victims of political oppression and what point do countries stop accepting refugees. The countries surrounding Syria have undergone extreme financial hardships after allowing large amounts of refugees to enter their country. Refugees encounter prejudice, religious persecution, and xenophobia. Unlike similar subject matter books I've read, the author was careful not to lay any blame from the persecution at the feet of any specific religious groups.
Unfortunately, the countries surrounding Syria that have shouldered the majority of the refugees have only undertaken a small percentage of the Syrians in crisis. The U.S. only took in 6 Syrian refugees in one year! In many other refugee crises in the past, the government took in numbers of people in vastly larger quantities. I was deeply saddened, but not surprised, to read that the world has essentially turned their backs on these people in crisis.
The anecdotes form a cohesive narrative. I was left with important questions such as what responsibility does humankind have for victims of political oppression and what point do countries stop accepting refugees. The countries surrounding Syria have undergone extreme financial hardships after allowing large amounts of refugees to enter their country. Refugees encounter prejudice, religious persecution, and xenophobia. Unlike similar subject matter books I've read, the author was careful not to lay any blame from the persecution at the feet of any specific religious groups.
Unfortunately, the countries surrounding Syria that have shouldered the majority of the refugees have only undertaken a small percentage of the Syrians in crisis. The U.S. only took in 6 Syrian refugees in one year! In many other refugee crises in the past, the government took in numbers of people in vastly larger quantities. I was deeply saddened, but not surprised, to read that the world has essentially turned their backs on these people in crisis.
maryehavens's review
4.0
Told with so much compassion for the plight of these refugees. It’s easy (for me, anyway) to forget this chapter in history considering our current pandemic situation. Has this situation gotten any better?
Definitely a book to read to remind us of the horrors of war and the gratitude we should hold each day in our lives.
Definitely a book to read to remind us of the horrors of war and the gratitude we should hold each day in our lives.
reading_rachel's review
4.0
This would be an excellent graphic novel option for informational reading.
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: I read an Arc of this without color. So that may have impacted my reading negatively. I have read a lot about the Syrian refugee crisis. I think non-fiction graphic novels can be an important source of understanding about difficult issues. But The Unwanted is a pretty basic introduction with no real narrative thread. The Syrian civil war is a humanitarian crisis. One that has been handled badly by the world and which has not really be helped by outside governments. The basic facts are here, the art is good, but there wasn't much that was added by the format.
kamckim's review
3.0
Yet another book about Syrian refugees. For those familiar with the crisis, there is nothing new as far as news or stories of Syrian refugees go. There's a quick brush of the history of Arab Spring, police brutality and the Assad regime. What's admirable about the book, however, is that Brown sticks with stories from primary sources, from the experiences of the refugees themselves. Also of note are the graphs and information he includes about countries that accepted and did not accept refugees. There are some insider looks into life in camps in Turkey, Greece and Jordan. The graphic novel format may hook some readers who are still not familiar with the crisis, which is a good thing. Also, admirable, a portion of the proceeds go to The International Rescue Committee. So, get it, especially if you HAVEN'T read any refugee stories. If you have, get it anyway, to support your fellow human beings.
bzzlarabzz's review
4.0
Heartrending and artistically fascinating, this book gives a clear picture of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis.
emilythelibrarian23's review
5.0
Don Brown once again completely amazes me with his narrative and illustrations. We need more books about the refugee crisis, and our nation’s, as well as others, unwillingness to support many.
literaryk's review
4.0
Informative, but relies heavily on pathos. Thankfully there's a list of resources for more facts and information!
mwbuell's review
5.0
A graphic novel depiction of the Syrian refugee crisis. This book reads like a nonfiction book, but in graphic novel form, it is very quick moving and the illustrations really add to the telling of the story. The dialogue boxes are great as well, as the author was able to include direct quotes from refugee interviews within the flow of the story.
This book covers the events leading up to the refugee crisis and shares real-life experiences of refugees that fled. I loved the style of the illustrations and found that this book was also easy enough to read on my Kindle eReader, which isn't always the case for graphic novels! I felt this graphic novel had the perfect ratio of illustrations to text--enough paragraphs throughout that the story flowed nicely, but enough text within the illustration frames that it still read like a graphic novel.
Overall, really well done. Really enjoyed it! Would be a great way for more reluctant readers to be exposed to nonfiction.
This book covers the events leading up to the refugee crisis and shares real-life experiences of refugees that fled. I loved the style of the illustrations and found that this book was also easy enough to read on my Kindle eReader, which isn't always the case for graphic novels! I felt this graphic novel had the perfect ratio of illustrations to text--enough paragraphs throughout that the story flowed nicely, but enough text within the illustration frames that it still read like a graphic novel.
Overall, really well done. Really enjoyed it! Would be a great way for more reluctant readers to be exposed to nonfiction.