Books about refugees and asylum seekers (teens)
Since asylum can be a confusing issue for teenagers (and even adults), here are some books that explore what it really means to flee your home and have to start your life over.
These books are mainly aimed at teenagers.
Check out our list for younger children
-
Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord
Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 14+
Flip -
Alpha: Abidjan to Gare du Nord
Author: Bessora & Barroux Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 14+
A powerful, terrible and essential story, Alpha should be required reading for everyone. The graphic novel highlights the terror a…
; Flip
-
Illegal
Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Flip -
Illegal
Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his s…
; Flip
-
The Ones That Disappeared
Author: Zana Fraillon
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Flip -
The Ones That Disappeared
Author: Zana Fraillon
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Esra, Miran and Isa are enslaved children who escape with the aid of the magical Riverman. This powerful but harrowing read i…
; Flip
-
Inheritance
Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 10+
Flip -
Inheritance
Author: Balli Kaur Jaswal
Interest level: 14+
Reading age: 10+
As a newly-independent Singapore struggles to establish its own identity and economic stability, a single father in the Punjabi Si…
; Flip
-
The Other Side of Truth
Author: Beverley Naidoo
Interest level: 11-16
Reading age: 10+
Flip -
The Other Side of Truth
Author: Beverley Naidoo
Interest level: 11-16
Reading age: 10+
The family knew that Papa’s journalism might put them at risk. But now Mama is dead, their passports are seized and Papa must try …
; Flip
-
Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
Flip -
Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
A group of children flee the war in Germany, each with a secret to hide and a painful past to bear. This book is brilliantly writt…
; Flip
-
I am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
Flip -
I am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 13+
This is the real life story of one of the most incredible and inspirational young people in the world. Reading this book might jus…
; Flip
-
If You Were Me
Author: Sam Hepburn
Interest level: 12-16
Reading age: 10+
Flip -
If You Were Me
Author: Sam Hepburn
Interest level: 12-16
Reading age: 10+
Complex plotting, thoughtful characterisation and terrifying insights into a world of organised crime will keep readers on the edg…
; Flip
-
One Crow Alone
Author: Sophie Crockett
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 11+
Flip -
One Crow Alone
Author: Sophie Crockett
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 11+
In the midst of a seemingly never-ending winter, Magda gradually loses all the things that give her life direction and meaning.
; Flip
-
Secrets in the Fire
Author: Henning Mankell Translator: Anne Stuksrud
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 12+
Flip -
Secrets in the Fire
Author: Henning Mankell Translator: Anne Stuksrud
Interest level: 13+
Reading age: 12+
Sofia and her family flee their Mozambique village after her father is killed by bandits. They attempt to start afresh, but the da…
; Flip
-
Never Fall Down
Author: Patricia McCormick
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 14+
Flip -
Never Fall Down
Author: Patricia McCormick
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 14+
Growing up in Cambodia, Arn's life is one of carefree adventure - until the Khumer Rouge come to power and Arn's world is turned u…
; Flip
-
Looking at the Stars
Author: Jo Cotterill
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Flip -
Looking at the Stars
Author: Jo Cotterill
Interest level: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Amina is headstrong and outspoken - traits seen as rebellion in the dictatorship she lives in. Ending up in an aid camp, her story…
; Flip
-
Say You're One of Them
Author: Uwem Akpan
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
Flip -
Say You're One of Them
Author: Uwem Akpan
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
Akpan's stories, told from the viewpoints of children (the innocent victims) are powerful, vivid and deeply moving.
; Flip
-
Selling Your Father's Bones
Author:
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
Flip -
Selling Your Father's Bones
Author:
Interest level: 15+
Reading age: 15+
In the summer of 1877, around seven hundred members of the Nez Perce Native American tribe set out on an epic 1,700-mile journey t…
; Flip