Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees
Book Summary:
Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees shares the true stories of five children—from Nazi Germany, Vietnam, Cuba, Afghanistan, and Syria—who risked everything to escape war and persecution by sea. Through first-person storytelling and powerful collage illustrations, readers learn how these young people faced fear, loss, and hope in their search for safety. The book gives voice to refugee children’s courage and reminds readers that migration is both a global and deeply human experience.
Recommended Questions:
What motivated each of the young refugees to leave their homes?
How did geography (oceans, routes, or borders) affect their journeys?
What questions would you like to ask these young people about their experiences?
How can we listen to and learn from people who have lived through difficult situations like this?
What can these stories teach us about courage, empathy, and global responsibility?
Choose one event from the timeline at the beginning of th book to research.
Standards:
NCSS Theme 9: Global Connections
The book highlights how historical and contemporary global conflicts are connected through shared human experiences. Students gain insight into how international events—such as wars, revolutions, and discrimination—impact individuals and families across the world, emphasizing empathy and responsibility in a globally connected society.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 8: Kindness and Empathy
Through the stories of young refugees, students are encouraged to learn about and discuss the lived experiences of people who have been displaced. The book fosters empathy and respectful curiosity by inviting students to ask questions, listen to personal histories, and develop an understanding of global migration from diverse perspectives.
WA Geography 3: Understands the geographic context of global issues and events
Students analyze how geography influences refugee experiences—how oceans, borders, and regions affect routes, dangers, and destinations. The book helps students understand that migration and displacement are global issues shaped by both human and environmental factors.
