Refugee josef character traits Refugee Characters. Dec 3, 2020 · The character traits of Josef in the novel Refugee highlight the resilience, courage, and adaptability of refugees. Josef is a 13-year-old Jewish boy living in Germany in the 1930s. One of the three protagonists of the book, alongside Josef and Isabel. And because in Josef’s case, his life is considerably shortened as a result, Gratz demonstrates the often tragic consequences of growing up in times of war. Mahmoud is 13 years old in 2015, and lives in Aleppo, Syria with his father Youssef, his mother Fatima, his 10-year-old brother Waleed, and his infant sister Hana. Josef’s teacher, who uses him as an example of Jewish facial types Josef ’s teacher in Germany. Mar 4, 2020 · Josef Landau Character Analysis in Refugee | LitCharts. Josef is brave, mature beyond his years, and devoted to his family. This character is a 12-year-old Jewish boy on the cusp of his bar mitzvah. Josef, twelve-years-old, is a Jew fleeing Nazi Germany with his family; he will need strength, determination, and quick-thinking to overcome the Nazis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Oct 3, 2019 · Josef - Character Sketch Josef is a character in the book Refugee, by Alan Gratz. In 1939, just before his thirteenth birthday, Josef and his parents and little sister leave Nazi Germany, Josef's father's life having been spared on the condition he leave the country. Their journeys highlight the struggles and resilience faced by refugees as they search for safety and hope. Josef is primarily concerned with what it means to become a man, and the safety of his family. Josef Landau 2. Herr Meier dehumanizes Josef by calling him up in front of the class and comparing his face to diagrams of other Jewish people, teaching the students how to identify Jews. Sep 3, 2019 · Josef is loyal, compassionate, paternal, and selfless. Isabel Fernandez 3. Through his character, Alan Gratz has created a powerful tool for education and empathy, inviting readers of all ages to engage with complex historical and contemporary issues in a deeply personal way. Refugee Book Summary The book Refugee by Alan Gratz weaves together the A detailed description and in-depth analysis of Josef Landau in Refugee. T he main characters in Refugee are Josef Landau, Isabel Fernandez, and Mahmoud Bishara. Ms. Alan Gratz's Refugee is a young-adult novel about three young refugees from different eras: Josef Landau, a German Jew displaced from Nazi Germany; Isabel Fernandez, a Cuban fleeing her starving country in 1994; and Mahmoud Bishara, a Syrian escaping civil war in 2015. Josef Landau is the protagonist of the novel's first storyline. Josef later dies in a concentration camp. Josef’s character represents the plight of Jews during the Related Characters: Lito/Mariano Padron (speaker), Josef Landau, Isabel Fernandez, Mahmoud Bishara, Ruthie Landau/Rosenberg, Aaron Landau, Rachel Landau Related Symbols: Boats Related Themes: Josef tries to fight the soldiers. Josef is humiliated by this exercise, feeling like a “subhuman” animal. Josef is strong and bold, maybe not physically strong, but definitely morally and mentally. 1 Who dies in Refugee5 Does the book Refugee have a movie?5. Officer’s exchanges with families traveling underscore their vulnerability. In “Refugee,” dialogue serves as a powerful tool to reveal character traits, express themes, and build narrative tension. Mahmoud Bishara Character Summaries: Josef Landau: Josef is a 12-year-old Jewish boy living in Germany in the 1930s. Klaus . Jan 28, 2025 · In the end, Josef’s personality in Refugee stands as a testament to the power of literature to foster empathy and understanding. Josef is quick-thinking and has a clear moral compass. Josef is eager to grow up and feels a strong sense of responsibility to take care of his family. His selflessness is made evident when he sacrifices his own life for his sister's. Thus, Josef’s tale emphasizes how the trauma of being a refugee often forces a child to grow up far sooner than they should have to, expediting their coming of age. A summary of Josef (Berlin, Germany-1938) to Mahmoud (Aleppo, Syria-2015) in Alan Gratz's Refugee. More books than SparkNotes. From the opening scene of the novel, Josef shows a strong desire to be seen as an adult, which sometimes causes tension within his family. Josef is 12 years old at the beginning of the book, living in Nazi Germany in 1938, where Jewish people like Josef are treated as “subhuman” and second-class citizens. Students will see themselves in the young protagonists: children faced with tragic circumstances but who, at their heart, are just kids who love their families and want to live in peace. Refugee Character Analysis Ruthie’s kindness toward Mahmoud and the Syrian refugees contrasts with Lito ’s treatment of the Jewish refugees in 1939—it emphasizes again the importance of empathy and the need for all people to help those who are most vulnerable and who are trying to rebuild their lives. This character is one of the three main protagonists in the novel, and the novel begins with his perspective in Berlin, 1938. Josef wondered. . This determination is common among refugees, as they endure loss and trauma but strive to rebuild their lives. The Nazis laugh at the wet spot on Josef’s pajamas, mocking him for being a little boy. Even though Josef’s father is later restored to the family, he’s traumatized. Josef, twelve years old at the start of the book, is one of the three protagonists of the novel. Feb 23, 2025 · Quick Summary: Refugee is a touching novel that explores the stories of three young refugees: Josef from Nazi Germany, Isabel from Cuba, and Mahmoud from Syria. Josef Landau is a twelve-year-old Jewish boy living in Berlin, Germany, in 1938. Josef Landau. Josef insists he’ll be a man soon, and the soldiers turn on him, saying that if he’s a man, he could go to the camps as well. Rachel cries in protest. Refugee study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Josef’s best friend at school, who joins the Hitler Youth. One of the three protagonists of the book, alongside Isabel and Mahmoud. ” #3: ″‘I wish from the bottom of my heart that you will land soon, Little Man,’ Officer Padron said again. Mahmoud’s best friend, a Shia Muslim, part of the minority in Syria. A car dealership owner who helps Mahmoud’s family in Turkey. Teachers may choose to have students focus on one set of characters for either Josef's, Isabel's or Mahmoud's story. Feb 22, 2025 · Each character’s journey is filled with moments of terror, hope, and discovery, highlighting the universal struggles faced by refugees throughout history. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Refugee and what it means. Nasseer was a child refugee himself, from Palestine. Josef exhibits a strong survivor spirit, showing remarkable perseverance in the face of adversity. These characters are: Josef Landau: A Jewish boy from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Khalid . Refugee is a historical fiction novel written in 2017 that weaves together three compelling stories of families seeking sanctuary in other countries. Jan 2, 2024 · In “Refugee” by Alan Gratz, the narrative revolves around three main characters, each from a different time period and background, whose stories illustrate the universal struggles faced by refugees. After May 31, 2024 · Alan Gratz’s “Refugee” is a young adult novel that tells the interconnected stories of three children seeking refuge from their war-torn homelands. 1 What is Mahmoud background in refugee3 Who is the main character of refugee?4 How did Mahmoud change in refugee?4. Josef has “straight brown hair slicked back from his pale white forehead, brown eyes behind wire-frame glasses that sat on a short nose, ears that suck out maybe a little too far” (21). Herr Meier . Josef’s story begins in 1939 when his family is forced to leave their home in Germany as the Nazi regime rises to power. A twelve-year-old Jewish boy from Germany and one of the protagonists of the book. His life is turned upside down on the night when Nazi Brownshirts take his father away to a concentration camp. St. This character has one younger sister and he lives with his sister and both parents. ’s interactions with refugees reflect their desperation and the harsh realities of their situations. Contents1 2 How would you describe Mahmoud in refugee?2. Josef is the only main character who does not survive. Josef, a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in 1939, Isabel, a Cuban girl fleeing unrest in 1994, and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy seeking safety in 2015, face harrowing journeys in their quest for a new home. 1 How old is Mahmoud in refugee6 What does Isabel from refugee look like?7 Warp Up Mahmoud … Aug 31, 2024 · Here is a list of main characters from the book "Refugee" by Alan Gratz, along with a brief summary of each: Character List: 1. The Nazis drag Aaron away, warning Josef not to be “so quick to Josef: Berlin, Germany – 1938 Isabel: Outside Havana, Cuba – 1994 (1) Mahmoud: Aleppo, Syria – 2015 (1) Josef: Berlin, Germany – 1939, 1 day Isabel: Havana, Cuba – 1994 Mahmoud: Aleppo, Syria – 2015 (2) Josef: Train to Hamburg – 1939, 1 day Isabel: Outside Havana, Cuba – 1994 (2) Mahmoud: Aleppo, Syria – 2015 (3) Josef: On the In this activity, students will create a character map of the characters in Refugee, paying close attention to the physical attributes, and the traits of both major and minor characters. What happened to him at Dachau that he’s now a ghost of the man he once was? ‘At least he didn’t have to be buried in the hell of the Third Reich,’ his father said. yjhbr ddnxab fnnxlgz uai kzu oovfi cvjxu qzywrg xhl jwdra jlk yfip delee nklmw izp