Josef scrambled backward on his bed, his eyes wide. The villagers on the beach cheered for them, and Seor Castillo revved the engine, leaving the charging policemen in their wake. He sifted through it, hopingyes! Just a moments kindness from each of them might mean the difference between death and survival for her mother and everyone else on the little raft. But when the Soviet Union went away, so did all their support. He says the family has stayed for too long and it is time to escape to Germany. And food ration booklets were pretty worthless anywaythere wasnt enough food to go around, whether you had a booklet or not. Refugee book Mahmoud Bishara character drowning baby saving a life concepts 02 Share "Whether you were visible or invisible, it was all about how other people reacted to you. He wore the same thing he did every time he was on television a green military jacket and flat round capand sat behind a row of microphones. It was just what the Brownshirt had told Josef. Then she had it. Josef Landau, Isabel Fernandez, and Mahmoud Bisharaare the primary protagonists of Refugee. The refugee mahmoud summary is a blog post that talks about how Mahmoud, an Iraqi refugee, traveled from Iraq to Germany. Mahmoud Bishara (12) In what year did the Arab Spring come to Syria? She dropped to her knees and pulled them both into a hug. They fail, but they are not sent back to Germany. Along with Josef and Isabel, she is one of the books three protagonists. Captains got the engines maxed out. Has to, the other said. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. He was dusty and smelled like he hadnt had a bath in months, and the heat of the road radiated off him and his rifle like a stove. She leaped down off the hood of the car and pushed her way through the pandemonium. In the second it took for the sound to grow from a breeze to a tornado, Mahmoud dropped his pencil, put his hands to his ears, and threw himself under the kitchen table. Them other two ships is smaller and faster. Other Jewish homes and businesses and synagogues were destroyed all over Germany, and tens of thousands of Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Just a sea of tents and a forest of electric poles and wires. -Graham S. The president and prime minister of Cuba during the period of, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. But they werent in Cuba anymore, were they? In becoming an adult, he has many responsibilities that he is forced to take. 'No boat today. Being invisible was how he survived. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Forever. The Hitler Youth led Josef down the narrow corridor of the German passenger car. Theres no reason to go throwing yourself onto a raft in the ocean, Lito said. The Brownshirt whod taken his father away on Kristallnacht had said, Well come for you soon enough, but Josef hadnt waited. Mahmoud's family made the decision to leave Syria after their building gets bombed, and because of the long-term dangerous and violent conditions in Syria. Mahmoud has already had a lot of experience dealing with the trauma of war, as the Syrian Civil War has already been raging for four years at the beginning of Mahmoud's story. He was covered with a fine gray powder from head to foot, like hed taken a bath in dry concrete mix. The man at the concession stand sold newspapers, and Josef took one and put a coin on the counter. As Josefs eyes adjusted, he saw the seven strangers who had invaded his home. Isabel laughed so hard her stomach hurt. They continue on with only the clothes on their backs and their smartphones, without a car or supplies. He had to get up. But we have to go so all of us will be safe. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. There was a riot on the Malecn, Lito said. The captains in a tight spot, he is. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. The capacity for global cooperation, as the pandemic shows, has shrunken to almost nil. What are you playing at, letting them on board? he demanded. The cat was hungry, just like everyone else in Cuba, and its belly quickly won out over its fear. Overjoyed, Mahmouds father agrees and the man makes arrangements for them. Isabel fell into the water and swam the rest of the way to the boat, but her father was already climbing over the side. Mahmoud screamed again and pushed the man away as the car skidded to a stop. Tomorrow,' he'd told Mahmoud's father." Alan Gratz author Refugee book Youssef Bishara character despair refugees smugglers concepts 07 He smiled sadly and punched their tickets. It was a marriage procession, Mahmoud realized. You cant go now! Lito told Papi. His sister. (including. Change). We have to go. His only distinguishing characteristics are big ears and wire-rimmed glasses. Refine any search. At last, he reached out and took the trumpet. Screamed in sheer blind terror. One of the soldiers in the backseat snatched up Moms iPhone and looked at the route. Papi! she called. Ivn gave names to everythingthe stray dogs who wandered the town, his bicycle, even his baseball glove. We will buy tickets as we go. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Isabel hefted the boat to get a better grip and tried to pick up her pace. to accommodate the crowd. Are you all right? Waleed finally looked up at him. They all had short black beards like Mahmouds father, and wore head scarves of different colors and patterns. Mahmoud is a Muslim boy in Aleppo, Syria in 2015, and his family has no other choice but to leave Syria when their entire apartment building is destroyed by a missile. He couldnt imagine traveling that far. They liked to spend their afternoons and weekends reading comic books and watching superhero movies and playing video games. More ships full of refugees? She had gone back for whatever she could take from the apartment. But now the streets were full of people yelling, Down with Fidel! No ambulances came to help the wounded. Josef shuddered. Nobody knew a wave of revolutions would sweep through the Middle East, toppling governments and overthrowing dictators and starting civil wars. The family leaves, again wandering around to find shelter. Mahmoud: Aleppo, Syria - 2015 (2) .that matters to him in this moment is finding Fatima, Waleed, and his infant sister, Hana . If you were invisible, the bad people couldn't hurt you, that was true. Refugee Important Quotes 1. The boat! Papi called. Mahmoud looked out the dusty car window as a jet fighter streaked by high above them, headed for Aleppo. Were refugees! Mahmoud yelled, unable to stay silent any longer. Of course, Captain Schroeder said. Clothes, food, sports, movies, travel, school, opportunity. Anything at all. Record what books your kids are reading. Josef walked the Promenade deck by himself, a new man. Youssef is characterized as a caring father and husband, trying to shepherd his family to safety in Germany. No police cars or emergency crews hurried to the scene. Men with gunshot wounds. They ate and slept and read books like Jews. is hit and killed. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 5.6 million refugees have left their home and 6.6 million more have been internally displaced within Syria.) And he wasnt the only one. Each time they stop, Mahmouds mother searches frantically among the other refugees, looking for baby Hana. He wrapped them all in a hug and kissed little Hana on the forehead. We can wait our turn. The startled man at the front of the line motioned for them to go ahead, and Josefs mother thanked him. She had to find her father. Here, the couples only escort was a group of rowdy teenage boys running behind the taxi, and their destination was a dirty white tent with whatever food theyd been able to buy in the camps market. 1st trip on a cruise like boat. The guards and officials threaten the refugees, but no one listens. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Gratz highlights parallels between Mahmouds, Isabels, and Josefs stories: all three are locked in oppressive and dangerous situations. For Mahmoud Bishara,12, life in Aleppo, Syria in 2015 means trying to make himself invisible and making sure his younger brother Waleed is safe. Ill see if I can find us a bus. Mahmoud and his mother and sister and brother walked the shopping street. Josef felt his skin tingle. But all Josef could think about was what terrible things must have happened to his father to make him look so awful and act so scared. Nomads and refugees in western Pakistan and northern Iraq at one time totaled more than 5 million, many of whom have recently returned to . In the gallery above, Josef saw one of the crew slam a fist down on the railing and storm off. The card tables had been pushed to the sides of the room, and stewards were adding more chairs She wont take up any room!, I dont remember much about him, but I do remember he always wanted to be a grown-up. With a jolt of surprise, Mahmoud realized this kind of thing did happen every day. It was a salsa tune she liked to play, but this time she listened past the music. Then it was time for Josef to recite the blessing hed been practicing for weeks. But when they arrive, they find the Hungarian soldiers building a fence to keep them out. What if they send a navy boat after us? (including. One group is handing out diapers. But everyone seemed to be having fun. Years. Germany was his home. Turkish guards in light green camo gear with automatic weapons and white surgical masks over their faces walked up and down the line, staring at each of them in turn. Theres no service again. They had gotten up early and it had been a stressful day, and soon Ruthie was asleep in Mamas lap, and Mama dozed with her. The old taxis exhaust pipe made a sound like a gunshotPOK!and everybody ducked instinctively. Without saying anything, Isabel ran next door to the Castilloss house. Mahmouds heart was racing, his ears still buzzed, and his shoulder burned, but they were alive. A year after that, Khalid had died in an airstrike anyway. First, Josef said, we need some soap. Once they had found a bar, Josef showed them how to soap up a door handle so that it was so slick it was impossible to turn. I want to play baseball for the New York Yankees! Ivn said. Mahmoud: Hungary 2015, 16 days from home, Hours pass without food or water, and Mahmoud and Youssef dont know where Waleed and, Mahmoud and Youssef line up, they pass another cell for women and children and find, be sent back to Serbia. You have a family to take care of. And what is your name, pretty one? Lito asked her. I want to watch American television, Ivn said. We have to get out of here! Mahmouds mother said, putting Hana in Mahmouds arms. Around them were countless more Syrian families, all hoping to be let in. Where are Waleed and Hana? his father asked. A son on the way! Isabels father and grandfather yelled at each other about dictators and freedom and families and responsibility. No sirens rang. The boy reached down, palmed the armband, and took Josef by the arm. Go, go. If a plane dropped a barrel What choice do we have? No sirens rang. mother and brother and sister walked on. Do you have any relatives back in Miami that you want to send a message to? the reporter asked. Well find her and bring her home., Were not criminals! one of the other men in the cell yelled at him. Mahmoud By Refugee Action November 18, 2016 Refugee Voices In Syria, Mahmoud was a successful tradesman, living happily with his wife and four children in a big house in the country's capital, Damascus. The woman was dressed in a white satin dress and veil. The boy who had died so Ruthie could live. Fatima! And now they were in line with him, all those hundreds of people and thousands more, and they werent invisible anymore. Mahmoud Bishara is a 12-year-old boy from Aleppo, Syria who lives in 2015 in the book Refugee. Mahmoud's brother. His papa looked nothing like the man whod been dragged away from their home six months ago. Chi-CHAK! Mahmoud and his family had fallen into step with them and disappeared among their ranks. He is of average height with brown hair and brown eyes. Mahmoud: Macedonia to Serbia 2015, 14 to 15 days from home, Policemen are guarding the border from Greece to Macedonia, and, Mahmoud: Serbia to Hungary 2015, 15 to 16 days from home, Mahmoud: Hungary 2015, 16 days from home, yelling in Arabic that they dont want their filth in Hungary either, calling them parasites., The policeman then says that they will be sent back to Serbia. Hush now. They cowered together on the floor as the shadows picked up Ruths bed and threw it against They were headed for Hamburg, on the north coast, where his father would meet them to board their ship. He hesitated while everyone stared at him, his eyes searching Castros face on the bottom of the boat as though there were answers hidden there. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. The boys pissed himself! The Nazis laughed, and Josefs face burned hot with shame. For me, Josef said instead. On foot? Josef wished they could stay on board the St. Louis forever. Quickly. Mahmouds mother pulled the end of the scarf up over her face so that only her eyes were showing. notice him, maybe pull him and his family out of line. Two giant tan smokestacks stuck up from the middle of the ship, one Mahmoud and Waleed turned down a different rubble-strewn alley than the day before and stopped dead. Not without Josefs father. He had to do something. They were right. Refugee (Alan Gratz) BANG! Were against whoever is dropping the bombs on us, he said. When they pulled his white linen shirt off him, his back was covered with welts. But he knew better. Her lunch hadnt been much bigger than the catsjust a few beans and a small pile of white rice. Or its a twelve-hour car ride, non-stop. His two siblings, Waleed who is is ten . Isabel tossed an old ball cap on the ground, on the off chance that one of the tourists actually had a peso to spare. It was a constant refrain in Castros lengthy speeches. The way the content is organized, One of the three protagonists of the book, alongside. It doesnt have to be a snowman. This is serious, Mom said. But the good people couldnt help you, either. Waleed didnt seem to get excited about much these days. After the week, they return to the mall but two men threaten them and demand an exorbitant amount of money in order to stay. Mahmoud musters the fortitude to break free from his invisibility and lead his family to a brighter future. The rioters and police traded rocks and bullets, and a man with a bloody head staggered past Isabel. Isabel had caught him at dinner. The smuggler had just told them their boat wasnt leaving tonight. Answers: 1. That seemed like a good omen to him. Mahmouds ears rang with a high-pitched whine, like the TV when the satellite was searching for a signal. Josef was so scared he wet himself, the warm liquid spreading through his nightclothes. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. That prompted someone to break out food and drinks, even though it was late. The family drives away, but soon run into some rebel soldiers. Mahmoud again reinforces why it is so valuable to be invisible, as the alternativebeing noticedcan put a person in even more danger. Do you want to build a snowman? his father sang. But the only thing that matters to him in this moment is finding. He realizes that even being observed is an invitation to danger, and therefore. He reared back again to hit Isabel, and she flinched. Theyre coming for me! Papi cried. She wore a dark blue wool dress with a white sailors collar and carried her white corduroy stuffed Rabit-Bitsy, everywhere she went. Were going to latch all the stalls from the inside and crawl out under the doors so no one can use the toilets! No, dont Josef tried to tell them, but they were already gone. Ready or not, if we want to live, we have to leave Syria. And the Kurds hold all this territory here. She listened now, intently, trying to hear the heartbeat of Cuba in her own music. When another dinghy passes by that doesnt have space for his family, he offers up Hana to them in order to ensure that she can survive. Teachers and parents! Please! she cried. Get personalized recommendations. My darlings! He kissed the tops of their heads again and again, then jumped back. Do you understand? I Yes, Josef stammered. She trades her trumpet for gasoline in order to get the boat to start. Ive been talking to him on WhatsApp, Dad continued, holding up his phone. Sit down! Pick it back up! We can sell the car there and make our way north, to Germany. Everyone stopped while Mahmouds father walked ahead. Mahmoud saw a cardboard box of used toys at one of the shops and knelt to dig in it while his No more getting thrown in jail for disagreeing with the government. But what do you want to do when you get there? Seor Castillo asked. It was hot out by day but it got cold at night, and Mahmoud and his family had left all their extra clothes in the car in their haste to escape. Isabel Fernandez is 11 years old in 1994, growing up in Havana, Cuba, under Fidel Castros communist regime. Banned from movie theaters in Germany because she was a Jew, Ruthie had seen her first cartoon on board during movie night and loved iteven if it was followed by a newsreel with Hitler yelling about Jews. A whistle blew. He put a hand to the motorcycle motor theyd mounted inside the boat. Left with no other choice, the family embarks and rides through the pouring rain headed for Greece. Education, public health, and sports, they all said together. Could it really be? . The family of Mahmoud intends to go to Aleppo. Its fur was scraggly and dull, and Isabel could feel the cats bones through its skin. One group is distributing diapers. Isabel wished she had something else to give it, but this food was already more than she could spare. For this crime against the German people, you will be taken into protective custody. Josef looked at his father, panicked. In Hungary, the family is about to be deported back to Syria when Mahmoud leads a refugee march out of the detention center. But he knew better. View all posts by thescholarlyteacher. It was the last straw for the police. A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle! Mahmouds mother came out of the bedroom, where shed been folding clothes, and turned off the TV. No! Children with missing limbs. The pistol fired againpak!andping!the hull of the Castilloss boat rang as the bullet hit it. It fluttered to the floor, the Star of David landing face up for all the world to see. Waleeds eyes were alive, but empty. It was his whole neighborhood. He felt the stirrings of indignation, of anger, of sympathy. He wanted to be a professional baseball player when he grew up, and he was good enough that it wasnt a crazy dream. Lito was her mothers father, and he and Papi had never gotten along. Porter? Josef stood in wonder as another sailora German man without a Star of David armband, a man who wasnt a Jewput a suitcase under each arm and one in each hand and led them up the gangway. He is quiet and unobtrusive.. able "to walk around getting noticed by the Syrian army or the rebels fighting them was just inviting trouble" (12). Come stand guard for us! Renata cried. Fatima continues to go from tent to tent, asking about Hana. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs He didnt look happy about it, though. A hand grabbed her, making her jump, and she spun around. The "Middle East & Africa Air Barrier market" is divided into vapour permeable and vapour impermeable materials, according to recent industry data. He was afraid they were going to pull him inside, but instead they deposited him by the door. limited. Im just doing my job.. What happened? Isabels mother asked. And work. She reeled in horror. A week into their stay on the St. Louis, Josef has his bar mitzvah. No, my son is just twelve. The right answer and they lived; the wrong answer and they all died. To walk around getting noticed by the Syrian army or the rebels fighting them was just inviting trouble. No. And a place where her father wouldnt be beaten or arrested. They were supposed to be on holiday, seeing ancient ruins and beautiful Greek beaches, not stepping over filthy, praying refugees. The next morning they had seen the people. Mahmoud heard explosions and saw smoke clouds, but no one cared about a few hundred Syrian people leaving the battlefield. Everything the soldier was describing stood between them and Turkey. When his father is released six months later, Josef, his mother Rachel, his sister Ruthie, and his father, now traumatized by his experiences at Dachau, all board the MS St. Louis, which is set to take them to Cuba. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Newspapers Review: Dailies highlight PM's meeting with Israelis, Abbas speech. He hated that man. She hadnt gone nearly catatonic like Waleed, but at some point it had gotten bad enough that she just stopped talking about it. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character Fatima Bishara appears in. And why not? I have to find him! Chabela! her grandfather cried. Josef stood and stared. Wait! Isabel ignored him. No! Papi cried, scrambling as far away from them as he could. Isabel shook her head. She ran home again. Aaron Landau is a well-known actor. The soldier with the iPhone scrolled up the map to see their destination. Mahmoud puts together that he and the other refugees are invisible only until they do something the natives dont want them to do, and he continues to question the value of staying invisible. The police were being summoned elsewhere. It hasnt been for months. It will be expensive, but we can pay. It was easier to stay invisible that way. Josef tiptoed down the corridor. Everybody stay calm, Dad said, slowing the car down, and let me do all the talking. One of the soldiers stood in front of the car, his rifle aimed loosely at the windshield, while the others walked around the sides, peering in through the windows. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, They only see us when we do something they dont want us to do. He put a hand to it and came away with blood. Tomorrow. And then, six months after hed been taken away, they got a telegram. Finally, Shabbos arrived. Many Git commands accept both tag and branch names, so creating this branch may cause unexpected behavior. Refugee is a young adult novel written by Alan Gratz and was first published by Scholastic Corporation in 2017. But why? Again. The fisherman came to his door, licking his fingers and frowning. She wanted to stay in Germany, Evelyne said. Are you ready? Shelves full of food at the store, Seora Castillo said. Castro condemned the violence that had broken out on the Malecn, blaming it on US agents. No sirens rang. Today, Josef said, I am a man. There were many hands to shake and many congratulations after the ceremony, but it was all a blur to Josef. Its not safe here. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Mahmoud had bristled. They threw Josef and Ruth on the floor once more and flicked on the overhead light. He was Luis Castillo, Ivns older brother. Without these stupid armbands, without the letter J stamped on his passport, would anyone know he was Jewish? Even though it seems that way at times, Mahmoud still sobs when he considers what hes gone through in his 10 years. And back again. Isabels heart soared, and she hopped up and down. Mahmoud Bishara, a twelve-year-old boy, tries to live an "invisible" life in Aleppo, Syria. If your eyes were the sea, I would drown in them. Lito was giving her piropos, the flirtatious compliments Cuban men said to women on the street. Wheres Papi? she asked him. Josef sacrifices himself when his family is refused refuge in Cuba, in order for his sister, Ruth, to be saved from the extermination camps. He stood on Josefs armband, his eyes wide with surprise. Gustav Schroeder, the ships diminutive captain, was there to greet them at the door. All we have now are two backpacks and our phones. Renata Aber is Renata Abers younger sister. Mahmoud's baby sister. refugee_-_alan_gratz was published by Mrs. Wilson on 2020-03-22. Mahmoud grabs onto it, bringing, appears on the side of the boat and takes Hana from them. Everyone got quiet as Lito turned up the volume. If theres enough people, Josef reminded his sister. They walk to a bus stop and reach the Hungarian border. Good and bad things happened either way. Buying a paper for your father? he asked Josef. Mahmoud? Aaron Landaus eyes bulged from his gaunt face as he turned to look at his children.