Refugee Reading Comprehension Questions
by Alan Gratz
Book Summary
The novel "Refugee" by Alan Gratz intertwines the harrowing journeys of three young protagonists from different historical periods and locations, all seeking safety and freedom from violence and oppression. Josef Landau is a Jewish boy fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938 with his family aboard the MS St. Louis, hoping to find asylum in Cuba. Isabel Fernandez is an eleven-year-old Cuban girl in 1994, who, with her family, embarks on a dangerous raft journey to escape Fidel Castro's regime and reach the United States. Mahmoud Bishara is a twelve-year-old Syrian boy in 2015, whose home is destroyed by bombs, forcing his family to undertake a perilous trek across Europe in search of asylum in Germany. Each story is filled with immense hardship, loss, and fear, but also showcases incredible resilience, courage, and the enduring power of family and hope, ultimately revealing surprising connections between their lives.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 8 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Refugee.
1.What historical event forced Josef Landau and his family to flee Germany?
2.Why did Isabel Fernandez and her family decide to leave Cuba in 1994?
3.What happened to Mahmoud Bishara's home in Aleppo, Syria, that forced his family to flee?
4.What was the name of the ship Josef and his family boarded to escape Germany?
5.What musical instrument does Isabel play that symbolizes her connection to her homeland?
6.What important lesson does Mahmoud learn during his journey across Europe?
7.Which character from an earlier story eventually hosts Mahmoud's family in Germany?
8.What tragic event occurs during Isabel's journey to Florida?
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Refugee with children.
What was your favorite part of Refugee? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Refugee, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Refugee make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Refugee to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Alan Gratz wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Refugee?
Refugee by Alan Gratz is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 5.3. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Refugee?
ReadBuddy provides 8 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Refugee, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Refugee for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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