Author(s): Brian Bilston

Non Fiction | RSO PLUS Oct 2024 Non-Fiction

Refugees is a book of two voices.

The first one sees the people fleeing from war and persecution and asks, "Why here? Why my country?" It is a feeling many people share. It is one of fear and suspicion. But when you read the text the opposite way, a new voice emerges. It says, "Why not make them welcome? Why not share the things we have?"

The world is undergoing a period of mass human migration. Whether this is caused by war, persecution or economics, the people we see on the news in those camps are waiting - waiting to live their lives. There are two sides to every debate. There are two sides to a wall.

This story shows both sides of the issue with skill and the illustrations depict the issue in a magic realism style, powerful but never frightening, and will promote a deeper discussion on this topic with an older child.