But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on-but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. refugee agency.Ī true and inspiring story of a refugee heroĪ long-running series reaches its closing chapters. A note from the author provides additional information about Yusra’s journey, including her becoming a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Yusra is portrayed throughout as a strong and resilient young woman, determined and full of courage.

Abery’s choice of spare, rhythmic verse gives the narrative a gripping and dramatic feel while Deng’s illustrations convey the struggles of war and displacement. In clipped quatrains-no line exceeds four syllables-the story relates Yusra Mardini’s journey from Syria in 2015, culminating in her participation in the 2016 Olympics as part of a team of refugees. There, Yusra starts training to swim again, eventually achieving her dream. They walk for miles on rough terrain, then take buses and trains until reaching safety in Germany. Strangers stare at them with accusing looks, but there is also “sudden kindness” when a child gives Yusra shoes. However, Yusra and her sister jump into the water and help guide it to safety despite the rough sea. Shortly after the boat takes off from the Turkish shore, the engine fails.

The sisters, now refugees, pay smugglers and end up on a small inflatable loaded with people and headed to Greece. Having trained since childhood, Yusra dreams of swimming at the Olympics. Yusra, a young Syrian woman, travels at the age of 17 with her older sister to escape the war in her country.

Yusra Swims by Julie Abery