A Dangerous Crossing

By Author / Illustrator

Jane Mitchell

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Little Island

ISBN

9781910411582

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-02-2017

Synopsis

Ghalib doesn't want to leave his home in Syria. But the city has become too dangerous, and his family has no choice but to flee. Together they make their way through Syria to the Turkish border, where Ghalib gets separated from his family. Stricken with grief and fear, fighting cold, pain and hunger, he manages to make it to a refugee camp in Turkey. Ghalib is safe for now, but life in a refugee camp is wretched and hopeless, and this boy's journey in search of safety is far from over. Based on true accounts and real Syrian children, A Dangerous Crossing is the story of one boy's search for refuge.

Reviews

A Dangerous Crossing is a story that gives true insight into the plight of so many refugee children and their families. 13 year old Ghalib and his family have their world turned upside down through no fault of their own. Kobani has been bombarded and is full of ruined buildings making any sort of normal life impossible. Just securing basic food and clothing is dangerous with the constant threat of bombardment. Ghalib and his cousin Hamza are caught up in a barrel bomb explosion that leaves Hamza with life threatening injuries. Add to this the fact that Ghalib and his sister are about to be enrolled as soldiers into the Protection Units to fight ISIS and pro-government forces. Their Father and Mother See no option but to flee the war in Syria and head for Europe, hopefully a safe haven where they can begin to rebuild their lives. The journey is both dangerous and very difficult, taking only what they can carry. Separated and re-united the family finally arrive in Turkey where they then encounter prejudice, increased fear and uncertainty. Finally they secure a passage to Greece with just the clothes on their backs. The crossing is traumatic and leaves you wondering at the way vulnerable, desperate families are being exploited. Through the pages of this book Jane Mitchell takes you on a journey that so many like Ghalib and his family have taken and many more will continue to take in order to secure a safer future for the people they love. It is also a small window into the lives of many children who have no chance of a normal childhood and must act as adults to survive daily. 224 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Marie Dell, school librarian.