Books about refugees and asylum seekers (older children)
Since asylum can be a confusing issue for children (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 older children.
Check out our list for younger children
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You Don’t Know What War Is: the diary of a young girl fro...
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You Don’t Know What War Is: the diary of a young girl fro...
Twelve-year-old Yeva’s diary from the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian war, showing how war affects ordinary people.
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Who are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave Th...
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Who are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave Th...
Rosen and Young explain what might make people leave their homes and journey to other countries, the rights that refugees and migr…
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Leila and the Blue Fox
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Leila and the Blue Fox
Can Miso the fox help Leila rediscover her mother? An incredibly moving story with breath-taking illustrations – perfect for upper…
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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Partly autobiographical, this is first of the internationally acclaimed trilogy by Judith Kerr telling the unforgettable story of …
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Boy, Everywhere
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Boy, Everywhere
The story of Sami, a Syrian boy who is forced to leave his home with nothing when war strikes.
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Refugee Boy
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Refugee Boy
Alem's father is Ethiopian and his mother is Eritrean, and there is a dangerous conflict raging between the two countries.
For his…
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Jackdaw Summer
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Jackdaw Summer
Fate leads Liam to find an abandoned baby and as a result his life becomes entwined with that of Oliver, an African boy seeking as…
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
This emotive poetry anthology from former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, explores the plight of refugees today, Rosen's child…
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Give Me Shelter
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Give Me Shelter
Told through the eyes of children, this moving collection of short stories focuses on the experiences of asylum seekers from all o…
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The Bone Sparrow
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The Bone Sparrow
Focusing on a friendship between two young refugees, The Bone Sparrow is one of those rare, special books that will break your hea…
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Christophe’s Story
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Christophe’s Story
Christophe arrives as a Rwandan refugee in an English primary school, and initially suffers bullying...
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Azzi in Between
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Azzi in Between
This is a moving tale of a refugee family told in graphic novel style and so appealing to a wide range of younger readers.
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The Boy at the Back of the Class
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The Boy at the Back of the Class
This is the story about how four classmates have a massive impact on the life of Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refu…
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In The Sea There Are Crocodiles
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In The Sea There Are Crocodiles
First published in Italian last year, the story of Enaiatollah Akbari's journey from Afghanistan to Italy has now been translated …
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The Island
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The Island
This chilling picture book about prejudice, intolerance and the plight of refugees will spark classroom discussions with older rea…
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Nadine Dreams of Home
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Nadine Dreams of Home
An ultimately uplifting story aimed at new or dyslexic readers.
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Oranges in No Man's Land
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Oranges in No Man's Land
Ayesha and her young brothers find themselves refugees in a bombed out flat in Beirut with only an elderly grandmother to care for…
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Welcome to Nowhere
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Welcome to Nowhere
Omar doesn't know much about politics, nor does he care, however, when his older brother, Musa, throws his lot in with the student…
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A Story Like The Wind
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A Story Like The Wind
Gill Lewis’s brief but beautiful story is rich in wonder, as well as being a timely reminder of the refugee crisis. Mixed wi…
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A Dangerous Crossing
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A Dangerous Crossing
This heartbreaking story depicts the reality of fleeing war, as told by a 13-year-old boy. Not only is their story told with compa…
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Now is the Time for Running
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Now is the Time for Running
Deo's life is destroyed when government forces kill his family. Together with his brother Innocent, he flees his village in search…
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Running on the Roof of the World
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Running on the Roof of the World
A richly atmospheric story of friendship, courage and survival. It provides a rare insight into Tibetan culture and raises timely …
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