Read a book

For Adults

The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears – Mengestu, Dinaw Seventeen years ago, Sepha Stephanos fled the Ethiopian Revolution after witnessing soldiers beat his father to the point of certain death, selling off his parents' jewelry to pay for passage to the United States. Now he finds himself running a grocery store in a poor African-American neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

In the Shadow of the Banyon Tree – Ratner, Vaddey Her life of royal privilege in Cambodia shattered by the outbreak of civil war on the streets of capital city Phnom Penh, young Raami endures four nightmarish years of loss, starvation and brutal forced labor while clinging to memories of the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier – Beah, Ishmael A human rights activist offers a firsthand account of war from the perspective of a former child soldier, detailing the violent civil war that wracked his native Sierra Leone and the government forces that transformed a gentle young boy into a killer as a member of the army.

Inside Out & Back Again – Lai, Thanhha Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.

Dreaming in Cuban – Garcia, Cristina Three generations of women in the del Pino family, divided over conflicting political loyalties after the Cuban revolution, are reunited in Havana by a devoted granddaughter who has refused to sacrifice her family ideals.

What is the What – Dave Eggers Valentino Achak Deng who, along with thousands of other children —the so-called Lost Boys—was forced to leave his village in Sudan at the age of seven and trek hundreds of miles by foot, crossing the deserts of three countries to find freedom. When he finally is resettled in the United States, he finds a life full of promise, but also heartache and myriad new challenges.

The Middle of Everywhere: Helping Refugees Enter the American Community - Mary Pipher Mary Pipher connects us with the newest members of the American family--refugees. In cities all over the country, refugees arrive daily. Lost Boys from Sudan, survivors from Kosovo, families fleeing Afghanistan and Vietnam: they come with nothing but the desire to experience the American dream. Their endurance in the face of tragedy and their ability to hold on to the virtues of family, love, and joy are a lesson for Americans. Their stories will make you laugh and weep--and give you a deeper understanding of the wider world in which we live.

Refugee - Alan Gratz Parallel and compelling accounts of refuge and journeys, from Josef, a Jewish boy in fleeing 1934 Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl, escaping the 1994 riots and unrest plaguing her country; and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy whose homeland is torn apart by violence and destruction in 2015. Their harrowing journeys in search of refuge, are woven together in shocking connections.

The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong – Karen Gonzalez A moving and persuasive analysis of immigration through a faith perspective, focusing on Biblical stories of migration: Abraham, Hagar, Joseph, Ruth and more. These intrepid heroes of the faith cross borders and seek refuge. As witnesses to God’s liberating power, they name the God they see at work, and they become grafted onto God’s family tree.

Find even more book recommendations about immigrants and refugees here.

For Children and Teens

When Stars Are Scattered – Jamieson, Victoria (Ages 9-12) Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in a refugee camp, and when an opportunity for Omar to get an education comes along, he must decide between going to school every day or caring for his nonverbal brother in this intimate and touching portrayal of family and daily life in a refugee camp. Graphic Novel.

The Cat I Never Named – Amra Sabic-El-Rayess (Grade 7+) The stunning memoir of a Muslim teen struggling to survive in the midst of the Bosnian genocide--and the stray cat who protected her family through it all.

What is a Refugee? – Elise Gravel (ages 3-7) This illustrated, accessible book introduces young readers to the term “refugee.” This timely picture book answers questions children may have about refugees, including who they are, why they leave their own country, and why they are sometimes not welcome in their new country.

Soul Ink: Literary and Visual Arts Journal Volume 5.1 2012-2013 Catalina Magnet High School Essays, poetry, and reflections from refugee students

Finding My Voice: Writings & Art by International Students in the Tucson Community Catalina Magnet High 2013, 2012, Spring 2010, 2009 Essays, poetry, and reflections from refugee students.

More books about refugees for children can be found here.

Watch or listen

• Virunga, about Congo on Netflix
• Salam Neighbor, about Syria. Available for rent on Amazon Prime or YouTube.
• Rain in a Dry Land, about Somalia. For rent and purchase here.
• Listen to This American Life, an episode about refugees in Somalia and resettlement to the US.

Eat at a refugee-owned restaurant

In Phoenix

Authentic Ethio African (ETHIOPIAN) 1740 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006 (602) 252-2286

Sinbad’s Restaurant (MIDDLE EASTERN) 3544 W. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051 (602) 242-5555

Old Town Sarajevo (BOSNIAN) 3311 W. Northern Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051

Al Hamka Farm and Bakery (IRAQI) 3437 W. Balmont Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85051 (623) 759-9585

First Cup Ethiopian (ETHIOPIAN) 4432 N 19th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85015 (602) 265-1049

In Tucson

Istanbul Mediterranean (MIDDLE EASTERN) 2945 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 (520) 849-7945

Café Desta (ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN) 758 S. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 370-7000

Chef Alisah’s Restaurant (BOSNIAN) 5931 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704 (520) 887-5305

Queen Sheba (ERITREAN) 5553 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712 (520) 276-3476

Zemam’s Two (ETHIOPIAN) 119 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 882-4955

Read fact sheets on different cultures

• Iraqi
• Eritrean
• Afghan
• Ethiopian
• Bosnian