World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Explore the depths of courage, hope and the universal quest for belonging in this collection that sheds light on the experiences of refugees from around the world.
You Don't Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl From Ukraine by Yeva Skalietska
Yeva Skalietska is a 12-year-old from Ukraine who has experienced the hardships of war. On February 24, 2022, her city was suddenly under attack as Russia launched its horrifying invasion of Ukraine. Yeva and her grandmother took shelter in a basement bunker, where she began writing this diary before seeking refuge in Ireland.
Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees by Paul Tom
More than 400 minors arrive alone in Canada each year requesting refugee status. They arrive without their parents, accompanied by no adult at all. Alone relates the journey of three of them: Afshin, Alain and Patricia, showing the courage and resilience that these young people demonstrated before finding a safe place to call home.
My Name is Bana by Bana Alabed
Bana's mother tells her of the strong bana tree that grows in their homeland, Syria, and how Bana's strength helped her survive war, being a refugee and starting fresh in a new country.
Somewhere in the Unknown World: A Collective Refugee Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang
This is a collection of fourteen stories from refugees settling in America. Each of these stories has a different starting point, yet they share common struggles and, ultimately, a common home.
Flying Over Water by Shannon Hitchcock
Noura's family is safe from the civil unrest in her home country but is unprepared for the adversity she faces on American soil. Jordyn is sympathetic to Noura's situation, but members of the Florida community see the refugees’ presence as a threat to their way of life. While the president's Muslim ban tests the resolve and faith of many, friendship stands strong against fear and hatred.
The Kitchen Without Borders by the Eat Offbeat Chefs with Siobhan Wallace
Celebrating the culinary traditions of Syria, Iran, Eritrea and Venezuela, this title features dishes from those who help feed the new lands they call home.
A Refugee's Journey from South Sudan by Ellen Rodger
When she and her two siblings leave home, they don’t know they will never return. After spending many years in a refugee camp, Ataui arrives as a refugee in Canada, facing new challenges. Interspersed with facts about South Sudan and its people, this narrative tells a story common to many refugees fleeing the country.
The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons from World War to Cold War by David Nasaw
Following WWII, millions of lost and homeless POWs, enslaved labourers, political prisoners and concentration camp survivors overwhelmed Germany, a country in complete disarray. The international community couldn't agree on the fate of the Last Million without a home. After a year of fruitless debate and inaction, the International Refugee Organization was created to resettle them — this is their history.
