Refugee: The Graphic Novel
Also: Your last chance to join me for a free virtual visit this school year!
Say hello to Refugee: The Graphic Novel!
Yes, by popular demand, I give you the first of my prose novels to be adapted into a graphic novel!
Like the book, Refugee: The Graphic Novel is the story of three different kids, in three different time periods, in three different parts of the world, all driven from their homes by violence.
But this time around, you will see Josef startled awake at night as Nazis break down his door.
You will see Isabel searching for Papi and Lito as Havana riots.
You will see Mahmoud and his little brother trying to stay invisible in Damascus.
And, you will see Josef and his family board the MS St. Louis, bound for freedom and safety in Cuba.
You will see Isabel’s family flee Cuba on a raft, headed for freedom and safety in Florida.
And you will see Mahmoud and his family travel by car, by train, by ferry, and on foot, as they journey toward freedom and safety in Germany.
It’s the story of Refugee you know and love, adapted by me, and brought to life with stunning illustrations by artist Syd Fini.
I’m not sure I can adequately express how moved I am every time I open this book up and pore over Syd’s art. Seeing characters that I’ve only been able to picture in my head come to life in Syd’s brilliant illustrations is an amazing experience, and I think young readers who love Refugee will be equally mesmerized.
Refugee: The Graphic Novel comes out the same day as my new prose novel War Games—October 7, 2025. I’ll be touring for both at the same time, so stay tuned for dates and locations!
And just like with War Games, you can pre-order a copy now from your local indie, or any of these fine booksellers:
As usual, pre-orders (and orders for books that are already out!) from Green Bean Books in my new hometown of Portland, Oregon come signed!
Refugee giveaway!
What’s this? A giveaway hidden in the middle of this email? Darn right, Betty White!
I don’t have copies of the new Refugee graphic novel to give away, alas. But I do have 18 paperback copies of the OG Refugee prose novel to give away this month!
I’m going to give these books away as a class set. That means there will be only one winner this time. AND, I’m asking that only teachers enter. Sorry, kids! (I’ll have a lot more giveaways coming up that you can apply for.)
To make sure I’m giving this class set away to a teacher, and not a kid, I’m requiring that the shipping address you provide be a school this time, and not a home address. Home shipping addresses are automatically disqualified!
If you’re a teacher who could use a free set of 18 signed paperback copies of the Refugee prose novel in your classroom, click below to enter:
The last day to enter is Sunday, May 18th, 2025. Good luck!
My last free virtual visit of the school year
If you’ve been waiting to tune in to one of my free, live, hour-long virtual school events, you have just one more chance this school year! Click here to sign up:
Tuesday, May 20 at 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
In my free virtual school events, I talk about my books, background, and writing process, and then answer questions from attendees. Whether you’re watching from home, a classroom, or an auditorium, there’s no fee to attend, and no limit on how many people can watch. Click the link or image above to register!
Join me in person too!
What’s this? A rare in-person Alan Gratz event out in the real world!? It’s true! I’ll be speaking and signing books at the Columbus Children’s Book Festival, in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10am to 3pm. You know who else is going to be there? Sherri Duskey Rinker (Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site), Yesenia Moises (The Adventures of Qai Qai), and my pal Lauren Tarshis (I Survived)! Better yet, Bluey is going to be there! (Which means I’m going to cry, because every time I catch even five minutes of that dang TV show I get teary.) The whole festival is FREE, so if you live close by, please join me way down yonder on the Chattahoochee!
Shoot. No room for What I’m Reading this month—too many pics from the graphic novel! I’ll just have to wait ’til next time to tell you about the Moby Dick class Jo and I are taking at the local literary arts center!
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Can't wait for this one, Alan! #bookposse would love to share this and your new book coming out in the fall (War Games), if you are placing them in book reviewing group hands!
Please come to Los Angeles we love you