Refugee by Alan Gratz

Scholastic

1 Aug 201701:12

Summary

TLDRJoseph Land, a Jewish man, recounts his family's urgent escape from Nazi Germany. With time running out, they must flee to Cuba amidst riots and starvation. Their ultimate goal is to reach the United States for safety and freedom. Their perilous journey involves crossing borders, enduring an air strike, and seeking refuge in Greece, all while carrying only what fits in their backpacks.

Takeaways

👤 Joseph Land is a Jewish individual facing persecution by the Nazis.
🏠 Joseph's family is ordered to leave Germany or face imprisonment in a concentration camp.
👨‍👩‍👧 Joseph is set to meet his father in Hamburg before fleeing.
🚢 They plan to board a ship to Cuba, seeking refuge.
⚠️ Upon learning of unrest in Cuba, they change their destination to America.
💥 An air strike destroys their apartment in Aleppo, leaving them with only their backpacks.
🚶‍♂️ They aim to reach the Turkish border to find a smuggler to Greece.
🇬🇷 Once in Greece, they hope to be granted refugee status and safety.
🌍 The ultimate goal is to reach America for a new life and freedom.
📚 The story is available at a Scholastic Book Fair for further reading.

Q & A

Who is Joseph Land?
-Joseph Land is a Jewish individual who is forced to leave Germany with his family due to Nazi orders.
Why are Joseph and his family ordered to leave Germany?
-They are ordered to leave because they are Jews, and the Nazis are persecuting Jewish people.
What is the consequence if Joseph's family does not leave Germany?
-If they do not leave, they will be sent to a concentration camp.
Where are they planning to meet Joseph's father?
-They are planning to meet Joseph's father in Hamburg.
Why are they considering Cuba as a destination?
-They are considering Cuba as a destination to escape the persecution in Germany.
Why isn't Cuba considered safe anymore according to Joseph's father?
-Cuba isn't safe anymore because there are riots throughout Havana and people are starving.
What is their ultimate goal after leaving Germany?
-Their ultimate goal is to reach America for safety, freedom, and a new life.
What happens to their apartment in Aleppo?
-Their apartment in Aleppo is destroyed by an air strike.
What possessions do they take with them after losing everything?
-They take everything they own in their backpacks.
What is their plan to reach the United States?
-Their plan is to reach the border of Turkey, find a smuggler to get them into Greece, and then be granted refugee status.
What does the term 'Refugee' mean in the context of the script?
-In the context of the script, 'Refugee' refers to someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to find safety and a new life elsewhere.

Outlines

00:00

🏃‍♂️ Escaping Nazi Persecution

Joseph Land, a Jewish man, is forced to flee Germany with his family due to the Nazis' orders. They have a limited time to leave or face being sent to a concentration camp. Their plan is to meet Joseph's father in Hamburg, board a ship to Cuba, and then find a smuggler to take them to Greece where they hope to gain refugee status and a new life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Nazi

The Nazis were a far-right political party in Germany that was responsible for the Holocaust and the implementation of totalitarian policies during World War II. In the context of the video, the Nazis are forcing Joseph Land's family to leave Germany, illustrating the persecution and forced displacement of Jewish people during this period.

💡Concentration Camp

A concentration camp is a place where people are detained or confined, typically under harsh conditions and without trial, often for political or religious reasons. In the video, the threat of being sent to a concentration camp underscores the urgency and danger faced by Joseph Land's family, highlighting the severity of the situation for Jews during the Nazi regime.

💡Hamburg

Hamburg is a major city in Germany. In the script, it is mentioned as a meeting point for Joseph Land's family, indicating the internal displacement and the need for families to reunite before fleeing the country.

💡Cuba

Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. In the video, it is portrayed as a temporary destination for the family but is no longer safe due to 'riots throughout Havana.' This keyword shows the broader context of global unrest and the search for a safe haven.

💡Riots

Riots refer to violent disturbances of the peace by a crowd. The mention of riots in Cuba in the script illustrates the chaos and danger that can arise in times of political or economic instability, further motivating the family's need to find a safer place.

💡Smuggler

A smuggler is someone who transports goods or people illegally across borders. In the video, the family's reliance on a smuggler to get into Greece highlights the desperate measures taken by refugees to escape persecution and find safety.

💡Refugee

A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. The script's mention of seeking refugee status in Greece emphasizes the legal and humanitarian aspects of the family's plight and their quest for protection and a new life.

💡Greece

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe. It is mentioned as a potential destination for the family to apply for refugee status, indicating a common route for refugees seeking asylum in Europe.

💡Turkey

Turkey is a transcontinental country that serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia. The script mentions reaching the border of Turkey as part of the journey, signifying it as a gateway or transit point for refugees trying to reach Europe.

💡Air Strike

An air strike is an attack on ground targets from the air. The destruction of the family's apartment by an air strike in the script is a stark reminder of the immediate and devastating impact of war on civilian lives.

💡Backpacks

Backpacks are carried on one's back and used to carry personal belongings. The mention of everything they own being in backpacks illustrates the loss and displacement experienced by refugees, who must leave behind almost everything and carry only the essentials.

💡Freedom

Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The script's reference to finding a new life and freedom in America encapsulates the ultimate goal for refugees, who seek not only safety but also the opportunity to live without oppression.

Highlights

Joseph Land and his family are forced to leave Germany due to Nazi persecution.

The family is Jewish and faces the threat of being sent to a concentration camp.

They plan to meet Joseph's father in Hamburg.

The destination is Cuba, but it's no longer considered safe due to riots and starvation.

The ultimate goal is to reach America for safety and freedom.

An air strike destroys their apartment in Aleppo, leaving them with only what they can carry.

The family is trying to reach the border of Turkey to find a smuggler.

Once in Greece, they hope to be granted refugee status.

The journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty.

The family's belongings are reduced to the contents of their backpacks.

The urgency of their departure is emphasized by the imminent threat to their lives.

The importance of reaching a safe haven is highlighted by the mention of refugee status.

The narrative underscores the desperation and determination of refugees.

The story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The mention of Scholastic Book Fair suggests an educational context for the narrative.

The transcript provides a historical perspective on the plight of refugees.

The narrative is a powerful tool for raising awareness about the refugee crisis.

The story is a call to action for readers to learn more about refugees.