no human being is illegal

 I just read the new graphic novel, Illegal, by Eoin Colfer. This middle grade, graphic novel is about one boy's journey across Africa with the hope to reach Europe.The novel puts a human face to the European migrant crisis.

From Publishers Weekly:

The book's title is arguably provocative, however. "Illegal is quite a controversial word in this context," Colfer says. "Often migrants are referred to as illegal, but the children cannot understand how they can be illegal for simply existing on planet Earth." Colfer adds that he and Donkin took the title from a quote by author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, which begins, "You who are so-called illegal aliens must know that no human being is ‘illegal.' That is a contradiction in terms."

This is a gripping story about twelve-year-old Ebo's epic journey from Africa to Italy. The graphic novel is grueling. The illustrations are beautiful and terrifying. You will feel what it's like to be thirsty in the desert, freezing at sea, and continually afraid.

The quote from Elie Wiesel in the introduction:

"You, who are so-called Illegal Aliens, must know that no human being is Illegal. This is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, they can be fat or skinny, they can be right or wrong, but Illegal? How can a human being be Illegal?"

In the epilogue, readers are reminded that in 2015 alone, more than one million migrants crossed the Mediterranean Sea to enter Europe. The United Nations has described the situation as a "colossal humanitarian catastrophe".

This book would be perfectly paired with Refugee by Alan Gratz and/or Home Of The Brave by Katherine Applegate.