Refugee Week in Libraries

15 Jun 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Refugee Week takes place 14 – 20 June.  Refugee Week is an annual festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. 

For Refugee Week 2021 they are asking everyone to take part in Simple Acts that are inspired by the theme ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’.  Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities. Why not try one of the eight suggestions from the Refugee Week website: sing a song, watch a film, have a chat, say it loud, play a game, walk together, join the movement and our favourite one read a book.

Lots of great resources for children and young people including activity ideas and videos can be found on the Refugee Week website.

Dual language picture books are available from our libraries in a variety of community languages.  If you cannot find the language you are looking for, please let us know and we will do our best to supply these. Ask at your local library or email us.

Families with young children who are receiving Bookstart Packs are also able to request dual language board books and picture books, together with book sharing tips, in a wide range of languages.  Bookstart packs are given out by Health Visitors during health checks: Baby Packs at 4 months and Treasure Packs at 27 months.

With one of the suggestions of a simple act being to read a book we have put together a reading ideas list to celebrate cultural diversity, empathy and the experiences of refugees by delving into some of the fascinating and heart-breaking stories. These titles are available in our libraries and from our digital library BorrowBox.

Take a look at some of our recommended reads below in honour of Refugee Week:
 

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. 
"Nuri is a beekeeper; his wife, Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo - until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape.  As Nuri and Afra travel through a broken world, they must confront not only the pain of their own unspeakable loss, but dangers that would overwhelm the bravest of souls. Above all - and perhaps this is the hardest thing they face - they must journey to find each other again."

No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton
"Aya is eleven years old and has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from war in Syria.  When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class, the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship.  But at the same time, Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country, to make a home for themselves, and to find Aya's father - separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria."

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
"Afghanistan, 1975: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption."

Boy 87 by Ele Fountain
"The story of a refugee: one child's journey stands for the journeys of many and the hopes of even more.  Shif is just an ordinary boy who likes chess, maths and racing his best friend home from school. But one day, soldiers with guns come to his door - and he knows that he is no longer safe.  Shif is forced to leave his mother and little sister, and embark on a dangerous journey; a journey through imprisonment and escape, new lands and strange voices, and a perilous crossing by land and sea."