PLOT
What event forces Josef’s family to flee Germany?
Josef’s father is taken to a concentration camp and later released, warning the family to escape.
What is one major theme in Refugee?
Courage in the face of danger / survival / the importance of hope.
What can we infer about Isabel’s personality when she gives up her trumpet for gas?
She is selfless and willing to sacrifice what she loves for her family’s survival.
What is text evidence?
Words, phrases, or details from the story that support your answer.
What tough decision does Isabel make early in the story?
She gives up her trumpet so her family can escape.
Why does Isabel and her family leave Cuba?
They are escaping food shortages, police brutality, and the threat of her father being arrested.
What theme connects ALL THREE characters’ journeys?
Families will risk everything to keep each other safe.
When Mahmoud avoids drawing attention to himself, what can you infer about his life in Syria?
Staying invisible has helped keep him safe during war.
“Josef felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.” What does this text evidence show?
He feels responsible for protecting his family.
Why does Mahmoud’s mother decide to hand over Hana?
She believes Hana has a better chance of surviving with the other boat.
What natural disaster affects Mahmoud’s journey and forces his family to take a dangerous route?
The Syrian Civil War bombing and destruction of their apartment forces them to flee.
How does Josef show the theme of sacrifice?
He tries to keep his family safe by taking on adult duties.
Josef worries constantly about his father. What does this tell you about how trauma affects their family?
The stress has changed their family roles—Josef feels like he must protect everyone.
What piece of text evidence shows Mahmoud cares deeply for Hana?
He cries when they must hand her over, and keeps thinking about her throughout the book.
What decision does Josef’s mother make to protect them?
She pleads with officials in Cuba, hoping to stay, even though they are denied.
What happens to Josef’s ship, the MS St. Louis, when they reach Cuba?
They are denied entry and forced to continue sailing.
What message does the book give about standing up for others?
Helping others during crisis can save lives and change the outcome of someone’s story.
When Isabel keeps track of their boat’s supplies and dangers, what can you infer?
She is becoming more responsible and takes leadership seriously.
Which evidence supports the claim: “Isabel is brave”?
She jumps into the water to save her mother
What are three themes that are described throughout the book?
Courge
Bravery
Family comes first
What is the climax of Mahmoud’s story?
When he chooses to hand over his baby sister, Hana, to strangers on a boat to give her a chance to survive.
How does the author show that history repeats itself?
Josef’s and Mahmoud’s stories mirror each other—Mahmoud’s family is taken in by Josef’s sister, showing connections across generations.
What can you infer from the way Mahmoud reacts to crowds, loud noises, and chaos?
He may have trauma responses from the war—fear, hypervigilance, or anxiety.
Which text evidence BEST supports the theme that “small choices can change lives”?
Mahmoud’s decision to hand over Hana leads to her survival and reunites them with Josef’s sister.
What decision by one character affected another story timeline completely?
Josef’s sister taking in Mahmoud’s family connects the past and present.