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yes

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After reading this book, I think Josef had the most difficult journey, Overall Josef life was challenging because his family went trough a lot.

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This is worse than Josef’s situation because in his case, he is on a ship, which is way bigger than a boat, is eating good food, and is sleeping on a proper bed. Even though Josef and his fa

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In my opinion Joseph has the hardest life because his dad jumped over board and yelled NO LET ME DIE..... I feel bad for Joseph witnessing his dad asking to let him die. Ever since Joseph's dad was taken from the Nazi he hasn't been the same. Isabel’s situation is clearly very hard for her and all that she's been through but just think witnessing your dad say no let me die  wouldn't that leave such a strong impact on you? In my opinion I would never forget it. Mahmoud's situation and also clearly very hard for him because his whole situation was also very impactful his family could never find a place to stay. Mahmoud lost his dad and his brother but really the two characters that had the hardest times in my opinion or Joseph and Mahmoud but if i had to pick one I would pick Joseph’s situation.

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in my own opinion Mahmoud has it the hardest out of the three like he had to flee his home then he saw a soldier get shot in the head    its all really dramatic

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Josef.G, Marist Primary, Auckland New Zealand

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Josef.G, Marist Primary, Auckland New Zealand

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I think Mahmoud has a hard life because he had to leave everything and give away his sister in order to survive.

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i think josef has suffard the most because he moved to france and then the germany invade it

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My opinion Cameron Marist school Auckland New Zealand

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My opinion Cameron Marist school Auckland New Zealand

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I have finished the book so spoiler alert. I think that Josef has the hardest life because he has to leave his sister out in the forest to fend for herself while the Nazis take them away to a concentration camp.

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Hi, my name is Nash, and I believe that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now, Because he was on the run for a long time and now he is in the middle of a highway and he and his family, excluding his lost baby sister Hannah, are surrounded by cars and people who are pointing guns at them.

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Hi, my name is Olivia, and I think that Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult because he is in the middle of the ocean without his brother. Also, His house was destroyed and all his belongings.

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Mahmoud has it the hardest because he left everything behind

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Add me on insta so we can be friend my user is SpookedBAsya

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In my opinion, I think Mahmoud’s family is the one who's struggling because they had a hard time trying to find a place to stay while they were waited for the “boat”. Also, later in the book, they’re boat popped by the rocks making them almost drowning. They later found a ship, where Mahmoud’s family tried to hang on to, but sadly lost his brother and father when trying to hang on. The people on the boat only aloud Mahmoud’s baby sister on because it was overcrowded.

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I think Mahmoud has it the hardest. He left everything behind and had to give up his little sister.

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I think Josef’s situation is the hardest because his family members are not fully supporting him unlike the others and he felt disrespected and anxious. His Dad is mentally ill and jumped overboard, His sister is too young and his mother is unconscious on the current situation, even though he just had his bar mitzvah he doesn’t feel like an adult just yet. Isabel might be stuck in the middle of the sea but her family are always there for her. Mahmoud is in a very bad situation but with his family he got out of the water. Josef is in a good living condition but he is depressed and he isn’t let off of the ship so he doesn’t feel like home anywhere.

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I think Josef had it the hardest because him and his family are constantly getting terrorized by the Nazi and the only thing worse  then losing someone is them being right there but there spirit is somewhere else which is exactly what happened to Josef's father . Josef has been through so much and he stud

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In my opinion Mahmoud suffered the most.Mahmoud´s brother and dad had drowned and he had to give his little sister to a stranger.He has also witnessed many death an example is the army soldier in the car.His house was blown up and he lost everything

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My name is Irene and I think Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation. This is because first, he sees his best friend get beaten up for food, then his apartment gets blown up by his country’s own ruler! After he and his family had to walk because their car exploded and when they got to Turkey the boat wasn’t there. The smuggler that was supposed to get them the boat said “tomorrow”, but the boat wasn’t there tomorrow or the day after that, or the day after that. When they finally saw the boat it wasn’t a boat but instead a rubber dingy, that popped instantly as they hit the rocks. Mahmoud suddenly found himself drowning and even worse lost his Papa and little brother. When he saw another dingy the only thing they could do was to give Hannah to them so she could be saved.

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In my opinion Joseph has the hardest life because his dad jumped over board and yelled NO LET ME DIE..... I feel bad for Joseph witnessing his dad asking to let him die. Ever since Joseph's dad was taken from the Nazi he hasn't been the same. Isabel’s situation is clearly very hard for her and all that she's been through but just think witnessing your dad say no let me die  wouldn't that leave such a strong impact on you? In my opinion I would never forget it. Mahmoud's situation and also clearly very hard for him because his whole situation was also very impactful his family could never find a place to stay. Mahmoud lost his dad and his brother but really the two characters that had the hardest times in my opinion or Joseph and Mahmoud but if i had to pick one I would pick Joseph’s situation.

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Ahriella, Drought Elementary, Franksville Wiscosnin, Usa. 

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Ahriella, Drought Elementary, Franksville Wiscosnin, Usa. 

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I think Mahmoud has it the worst because himself and his parents are in the ocean drowning and they gave away his sister to a complete stranger and when they got to the island they couldnt find his sister.

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I think Joseph’s life is the worst----

Because his whole family was always being not respected, refused, even on the St.Louis, he thought everything’s finally fine, but son he found out that is just a cover of everything.

His father was so scared and losing hope, his mother was worried about his father, and she also had to take care of Roofie, so Joseph seemed to be the man of the family, whether he wants it or not. He didn’t seem to be ready for this big responsibility.

Why I said it is Joseph and not Isabel or Mahmoud is because----

Yes, they did had a difficult situation, but they are only being refused by the nature, like the sea, they aren’t being hurt by the people around them anymore, at least, they are with their own family. For Mahmoud, losing Dad, brother, and sister is sad, but there is still a probability that they are still alive, giving Hana to the people on the dinging is their own choice, and a good choice.

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I think Josef is trying to escape the worst situation. Because of him being a Jew, Josef and his family faced persecution and unfairness in their home country. His father was taken away to a concentration camp and returned the ghost of what he once was. Josef’s family is not only escaping the Nazis, he is trying to keep his family from being torn apart.

Isabel’s situation is bad in Cuba as she faced riots and shootings on the streets. But they can be safe in their home while for Josef, even home is not safe as the Nazis torn apart their home.

Mahmoud also have a very dangerous situation as his family faced drones and bombs. However, they weren’t being specifically targeted like Josef’s family is.

In conclusion, I think Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation. His family is being targeted and don’t have a safe place to stay. His family is being taken apart so he must leave.

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DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ PAST PAGE 171!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hi, my name is Olivia and in my opinion, Isabel has the hardest life because unlike Josef and Mahmoud she is in a small boat with her family and someone else's family. Also, her mother is sick and pregnant, her dad and her grandfather are constantly arguing. They got swamped by a tanker and Señor Castillo went overboard and Isabel had to save him and when they finally saw land they were in the wrong place and not even allowed to get out. Even before she left she was treated unfairly. There was not enough food her dad and her grandfather are constantly arguing, and when they finally saw land they were in the wrong place and not allowed to get out. Even before they left she was treated unfairly. There was never enough food and she had to play her trumpet for money.

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Hello, my name is Téa and in my opinion, Mahmoud is living the hardest life. We first heard about  Mahmood when his house was bombed, bombing happened In Syria almost every day it was like a normal thing to Mahmood and his family until it happened to him.  Mahmoud and his family now had Nowhere to sleep and barely any money or food so they had to leave Syria. During the way to Turkey, they lost their only other resources because of a shooting. Mahmoud and his family finally got to turkey but there was nowhere to sleep. They kept on waiting for the boat to arrive and four days later it finally came. They finally had hope until their boat drowned. Wallied and Mahmoud's father got stranded and lost the other half of their family. Mahmoud and his mother had to give away Hannah to a different boat that passed by so she could live her life, (she was only a baby at the time). On top of that, they were all now stranded separated from each other. They have no more hope.

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In my personal opinion is that Isabel had the hardest time escaping there country. As Mahmoud just had to cross the border to escape and Joseph had to board a cruise ship. As Isabel had to escape with fugitive cop and gun holes in there not-so sea-worthy boat. Also they did not know when they were not aloud leave.

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Josef and his family had many trials in Germany the men and women were taken from their homes and went to consecration camps to be killed just because they were Jewish. Josef's father was taken to one of the camps ware he was forced to watched people be killed his father is now tariffed of the Nazis and the things they will do to him. Josef and his family had just been harassed by the Nazis there Cabin has been tarried apart and they broke every in sight . Josef is having to take care of his sister because his mother was forced to have sleeping draft because she wanted to get it for Josef's father.In my opinion Josef has had it the hardest because they were mistreated in Germany and on the MS St.Louis

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in my opinion Mahmoud has the hardest life because his apartment was destroyed and now he only has a cople of backpacks that he carys his imporant thing in.

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I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because they have to travel the sea in a dingy, their house got blown up, and he has to take care of his mom and brother and sister.

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Hi my name is Alex and I think that Isabelle is probably in the worst situation. I think that because Isabelle had a riot in cuba and has this dad almost got arrested for throwing a bottle at a police man. Now she has to ride all the way to united states in a hand made boat with like 10 people on the boat.

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The character that i think has the hardest life is Mahmoud I think he has the hardest because his house was and his sister is in a different boat and and when he left his home they couldnt bring much with them

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Hello! My name is Hamza and I believe that mahmoud has the most Difficult life because his house got bomb and everything he owned got destroyed and all he has are those three backpack and then he's car got shot   and his families sell the car for money to get on a boat to a safe area  and then his father drowned and brother and he have to give out his sister by a stranger

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Im a 7th grader at Maple Ridge elementary school and I persenolly think that Mahmoud is experiencing the hardest time and heres why.
Mahmoud is getting bombed and his philosephy is basicaly disapear and play an infinte game of hide in seek.

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In my opinion, Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, Mahmoud had to leave everything behind and had to watch someone get shot, And had to give up his sister.

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Hello, my name is Matthew and i'm in seventh grade at Maple Ridge. In Refugee I think Mahmoud has suffered the most.Mahmoud has witnessed a lot of deaths.

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Hello! My name is Nick,In my opinion, I think that mahmoud is living the most dangerous life because he is forced to leave his country because of violence and even if he wanted to stay he couldn't because he would die.

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Hi my name is Minha and I think Mahmoud is having the hardest life out of the two. Because in Syria there is bombing going on and his apartment was destroyed when the bomb hit in his apartment his parents and his siblings could have died. Also his little sister was in a different boat then th

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Hi my name is Minha and I think Mahmoud is having the hardest life out of the two. Because in Syria there is bombing going on and his apartment was destroyed when the bomb hit in his apartment his parents and his siblings could have died. Also his little sister was in a different boat then th

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In my opinion I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life because, his apartment and almost everything he owned got destroyed and all he has is a couple of backpacks with somethings that he owns. Mahmoud is in danger and has to drive a pretty long way, sell his families car for more money to get onto a boat to a safe area or country and on the boat that he is riding he could be scammed by the owner of the boat and be lost at sea because he does not now where this boat is going he thinks he is going to a safe country or not, and what would happen to him on the boat and if the waves crash very brutally would him and his family fall off the boat and be lost at sea.

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I think that isabelle has the hardest time because there was a riot and her dad almost got arrested

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Hello! My name is Murtaza and I believe that Mahmoud is in the most arduous situation out of all of them. I think this because where we are reading right Mahmoud watches a soldier get shot in front him and also as they are traveling to turkey they were getting shot at by Daesha or the ISIS.

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Hey! My name is Aiden and I am a 7th Grader at maple Ridge.I think that Mahmoud is In the worst situtation because  his house got blown up and he and his family lost everything.

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In my opinion, I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because he was in a car and soldiers shot the car he was in and the car blew up also, his sister is in another boat with someone she barely knows and she could be in danger.

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Hello, my name is Lamar and I am an eighth grader at Drought school. In Refugee I think Mahmoud is suffering more.While they were trying to get out of Turkey to get to Greece.But the smuggler had used a Dingy to transport twelve people. While they were escaping from Turkey they had hit a rock and everybody fell out of the boat. Mahmoud has to try to keep his mom a float who is carrying Hannah. Mahmoud has to let his baby sister,Hannah, drown or give it to to a stranger. He chose to give her to a stranger because he thought she would be safer.

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Keegan, Drought school-Fransksville, WI

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Why hello there, my name is Keegan and I am supporting the eighth grade class of Drought school. Me personally I believe now after all that has happened, I was going to say Mahmoud, but then now Isabelle, I mean woah, shark attack, pregnant other, constant arguing family members, and a dead best friend? Yes, Mahmoud did have it pretty bad, but now he is on land and has a way better chance of survival than Isabelle. Without a doubt each families lives are pretty bad, but Isabelle just overcomes it all for me now.

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Hello, my name is Carter and I am an eighth grader at Drought School. I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because he has to deal with a brutal war going on in his country. As he attempts to travel with his family outside of Syria, he gets shot at, and has to leave his car behind. As their journey continues, they face many hard obstacles, and the trip seems impossible.

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Hi my name is Chase and I am a eighth grader at Drought School and I think that Mahmoud is having the hardest time because his sister is not with them anymore she went on a boat with a stranger and right now they are on a island with a lot of dead bodies on the shore and they need to find Hannah so they can continue to move forward.

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Hey, my name is Natalia and I’m an eighth grader at Drought School. Out of the three refugees in the book, Joseph, Mahmoud, and Isabel, I would have to say that Mahmoud is the one suffering the most at the moment. The last time we read, Mahmoud was on the boat about to set sail for Germany. However, the boat hit rocks and some people were even thrown off the boat. Kids and adults landed in the freezing waters. At first, Mahmoud was alone, he didn’t see his father, his brother, mother, nor sister. Later, Mahmoud found his mother and barely lifting his baby sister, Hannah. They were almost drowning. His father and younger brother we’re still lost. Fortunately, life boats were coming in to help people. Mahmoud was able to put one person on a life boat: Hannah. A stranger took Hannah into her arms, but Mahmoud and his mother are still in the water

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My name is Jay, and I attend Drought School as an eigth grader and my class us reading the novel Refugee. The author made the book switch back between three different characters by the names of Isabel, Josef, and Muhommed. Believe me, they are all going through extremely tough times, but in my opinion, Muhommed's situation is the worst out of all three. His brother and father just drowned in the sea and his sister was given away to a stranger! Now all he has left is his mother and they are still fighting for theor lives in the midst of the sea. All the family wanted was to escape their country and get to Germany, but instead they have a whole platter of problems coming their way.

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Hello my name is Ricky and I am from Drought School. I think Mahmoud is in the worst situation. One reason is that Mahmoud is from Syria and having fled from Greece. His homeland was torn apart by destruction. Now Mahmoud is in the crashing waves trying to survive and escape. They crashed from the rocks and are now they are in the water and was given a fake life preserver but found a real one. Now they have to sit through the night.

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In my opinion, Mahmoud is living the hardest life. One point to support this is that he had to watch and encounter so many deaths whilst trying to escape Syria. For example in his hometown of Syria he watched a solider get shot in the back seat of his family’s car. Also he has been given false information on where and when to escape to Europe since a guy kept lying to him on when to get on a boat. His apartment and everything they owned had been blown into bits and pieces from the fierce fighting in Syria. Overall I think Mahmoud’s life is the hardest out of all three tough and challenging lives.

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Katie Friel Drought School Wisconsin, United States 

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Katie Friel Drought School Wisconsin, United States 

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Out of all three characters in the novel, I think Mahmoud has the hardest life. Out of nowhere, his house was bombed and his family ran out with only a couple of their belongings. Soon Mahmoud and his family had to travel on a little dingy for miles, which didn’t last long. In little time, Mahmoud had to ask a total stranger to take care of his baby sister, Hannah. Not only that, Mahmoud’s father and brother were nowhere to be found in the water, all he had left was his mother. I can’t imagine ever being in the situation in which Mahmoud is in right now.

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Mahmoud is in the worst situation because of the dingy crashing in to the rocks. They are stranded in the ocean for no one to help them. Even before the dingy they had no where to go. They had very little belongings left. Overall anything can happen to the,m when their in them middle of no where

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Sally & Christa Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Sally & Christa Oakville, Ontario, Canada 
We think that Isabel’s situation is the worst so far. In Cuba, there is a political persecution that caused many people to leave their hometown so they don’t have to go to jail if they didn’t agree with their nation’s leader. This is a bad situation because people don’t have the right to have their own voice to speak about the government either if he is right or wrong. This is worse than Josef’s situation because in his case, he is on a ship, which is way bigger than a boat, is eating good food, and is sleeping on a proper bed. Even though Josef and his family are being tortured by the Nazis Germans on the ship and a chance of them being sent back to Germany, Isabel’s situation is still worse because there might be a chance of her, her family, and her family’s friends being tipped overboard. Escaping on a boat isn’t the best thing you would want to do but in Isabel’s case, her family and her had to leave or else her father would be sent to jail or get seriously hurt. There is a lot of risks of being on a small boat with a lot of people. For example, someone might fall of the edge of the boat just like how Señor Castillo did. Maybe there is a storm coming and pull them under the deep ocean water. Sometimes, people never reaches the pace that they had to go. Sometime, the travel may take weeks, months, or even a year. There might not be supplies (food, clean water , ...) to survive on the boat for such long trips. 
Olivia & Maya Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Olivia & Maya Oakville, Ontario, Canada
We think that Isabel has the most difficult situation to escape from Cuba because of the political persecution in Cuba. They left on the boat towards rough seas and leaving to the U.S.A. where they will have less violence in the country. They also left because Isabel’s father almost got arrested and now he is frightened of the journey ahead. This situation is worse than Josef’s story  because, in Cuba there was more violence in the country along with the persecution. This is the reason why that Isabel had to leave Cuba. This means that Isabel left on the boat to got to the United States because, in Cuba there was a lot of political persecution.  

Rania & Jade, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Rania & Jade, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

We think that Isabel’s lifestyle was harder than Josef’s and Mahmoud’s lifestyle because Josef is in a fancy boat and he was treated very kindly by the crew members and Mahmoud’s family had iphone’s and cars. But Isabel had the most difficulties plus there may be some scary sea animals. We also think that in Cuba they had a terrible persecution and Isabel’s dad almost got arrested because he was disagreeing with the government. Isabel’s family had to leave Cuba since the people in Cuba were persecuting others, so they had to travel with Ivan’s family in a tiny boat. It was very cramped and hard to have complete control of the motor and they lost their first aid/medicine kit to. Plus Isabel’s family did not have life jackets, so they have a chance of falling into the water and drowning.


Diya and Angelyn Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Diya and Angelyn Oakville, Ontario, Canada

We think Mahmoud’s story is the most difficult to escape because in Syria where he lived there were wars and if he did not leave he would be killed. He would be persecuted because Bashar Hafez al-Assad was doing nothing to stop his people dying and all that he wanted was to be the most powerful. But with power that he had obtained, he was not using it for good. In other words, Mahmoud’s life would have been in serious danger. We think that him and his family made the right choice to leave Syria. 

Alexis & Esma Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Alexis & Esma Oakville, Ontario, Canada
 We think Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because in Syria there is bombing. His building also got bombed by a missile. His family could have died but luckily they escaped in time. While they were escaping, their car got pistol shots by the aish. When they arrived in Turkey they had to wait one week until they went on the boat to Greece. Finally, when they did go on the boat they realized the boat was a dinghy and they slammed into a rock. Mahmoud's journey is  more difficult than Josephs because Mahmoud had to go on a dinghy while Joseph could go on an actual cruise ship.  His home country was harder than Isabel's because way why his was more difficult because his house got bombed but Isabel's family left by choice because her father could of gotten arrested and because they were food shortages. 

Carson, Emmett, Chloe, Liberty, Zander, Grace - Canada, Stayner Ontario
Carson, Emmett, Chloe, Liberty, Zander, Grace - Canada, Stayner Ontario
After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character with the most difficult situation is Josef because the Nazi's treated them badly. We know this because the Nazi's were throwing Josef and his family to the floor, trashing his house, slapping them, and above that, they took Josef's father. "The shadows tore down pictures, pulled drawers from their bureaus, and flung clothing everywhere. They broke lamps and light bulbs." This proves that the Nazi's treated Josef and his family badly and that Josef's situation was the worst condition to leave from. This reminds us of book, Wonder, because Auggie was treated badly when a bully named Julian slipped mean notes in his locker. This is just like how Josef was treated badly by the Nazis. 
Brianne & Emma Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Brianne & Emma Oakville, Ontario, Canada
We think Isabel’s life is the most difficult because in her home country her dad got arrested and was threatened to get arrested again. Also her grandma past away and Isabel really misses her. She has had a very hard past and a very bad journey and life before. Isabel’s journey must have been so difficult and hard. She had to make a boat for her and the rest of her family to go on because her hometown was unsafe and her dad was getting threatened. After, she left with her family and it sounds like it was the hardest journey we have ever heard. She was almost hit by a ship, the motor of the tiny ship that held most of her family broke down, and she even went overboard with her grandfather. Meanwhile Josef’s journey is a bit better because he and on a big ship with rooms and pools. Isabel in on a little boat that can barely fits her family. Over all, we think that Isabel’s life was the hardest and most dangerous journey of all. 

Ethan, Cooper, Cayla, Lauren, Kaden
Ethan, Cooper, Cayla, Lauren, Kaden
After the reading several chapters of Refugee the main character with the most difficult situation is Isabel because her way of escaping is very dangerous. From the reading we know this because right when Ivan and Amuara got on the boat, it was shot by two police officers. Therefore this shows how Isabel is in the most difficult situation out of Josef and Mahmoud. This reminds me of the character Salva from the novel " A Long Walk To Water " when he had to cross the river full of crocodiles and people shooting at him.  This is just like Isabel's situation.
Seth,Ethan,Emma,Amy and Hannah from Stayner Ontario.
Seth,Ethan,Emma,Amy and Hannah from Stayner Ontario. 
After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character with the most difficult situation is Isabel because she almost died on her journey. From the reading i know this because she almost drowned when  she was saving Senor Castillio; ". Isabel began to feel the rhythm of the sea, the singsong lullaby of it, and
it was easy to close her eyes, to stop kicking, to stop fighting. She was so
tired. So very, very tired";(pg.103) . Therefore this shows that Isabel has the most difficult journey. This reminds us of the character Salva in 'A Long Walk To Water' because Salva almost drowned in the river separating Ethiopia and Sudan. This is just like how Isabel almost drowned. 
Reggie, Rylan, Cape, Zach and Nathan of Stayner Ontario
Reggie, Rylan, Cape, Zach and Nathan of Stayner Ontario
After reading several chapters or Refugee, we think that Isabel is living the most difficult life, because she has had a very tough time trying to leave Cuba. From the reading we know this because, Isabel is leaving in a very small boat, that should not be taking the amount of people that it is. They have faced very strong waves, their boat has been shot, and it is filled with a bunch of water; ¨They bailed water the rest of the night, taking turns dozing in the uncomfortable, crowded little boat¨ (p. 104) Therefore this shows why Isabel has had the most difficult life. This reminds us of a book, A Long Walk To Water, because in that book, a boy named Salva struggled for a long chapter of his life, because of a war, that left him separated from him family. This is just like how Isabel´s life has been effected, from a war.
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn - Stayner, Ontario, Canada
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn - Stayner, Ontario, Canada
After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character we think has  most difficult situation is Isabel  because she is on a homemade boat in the middle of the Atlantic ocean without a working motor or medical supplies and a storm is coming. "' What is it?' Ivan said sleepily. 'Another tanker?' 'No. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning,' Lito said, looking up into to the red-tinged clouds. 'A storm is coming.'" (pg. 140). This is one of the reasons how Isabel has the most difficult situation.  This reminds us of the novel "A Long Walk To Water when Salva and his group had to make homemade boats to cross the Nile.  This is just like how Isabel is in a very dangerous situation crossing the ocean on a homemade boat.
Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
We think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult situation because his home was being bombed on and there were wars going on in Syria at that time. Also, when his family arrived in Turkey they had to wait for a long time and when the boat finally arrived, it was an inflatable raft. They also had to travel with thirty different families but the boat was only the size for about a dozen people. Mahmoud felt tired, the expensive price of the smuggler didn’t help much. On the boat, it was so dark, that they couldn’t see anything. They didn't know where to go or if they are even getting to closer to Greece. “Mahmoud can’t see land anymore.” He is scared, “ he could die here in the middle of the ocean and know would know that he was gone.” For this reason we think that he is in the most difficult situation because he and his family are in the middle of nowhere right now, and they are not sure where to go.
Adam Illinois
Adam Illinois 
Isabel 

Atlantic ocean

Hi I am Adam from Illinois
I think Isabel is having the most difficult situation first of all she just jump in the water. Second 
the motor doesn't really work. Third 
There is a bullet hole in the the boat and it is only covered by a sock that is not really  working. here are some of my feelings about Josef.


Josef

Atlantic    ocean 
Am so mad right now because
they are making them wait 
longer they have been on that 
boat for about five days.  They have been on that boat long enough.
1m reggie.rylan,cape,zach
 1m
reggie.rylan,cape,zach and nathan
reggie.rylan,cape,zach and nathan 
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn
Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Tiffany & Haniy
Ryder IL
Ryder IL
I think Josef leads the most difficult life because he has seen horrible things. His dad is crazy because at concentration camps
they will whip jews and gas jews and shoot jews just because they want to. His dad has seen horribble things. I cannot blame him for acting like a lunatic.
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Gavin Illinois
Gavin Illinois
Hi Im Gavin and im in 5th grade i Think josef has the hardest life because he had to race ships to cuba his dad was crazy and he has to wait one day o get into Cuba
Morgan, IL
Morgan, IL
Hi! I am Morgan. And I am from Illinois.
I think Isabelle has the hardest life Because her boat has bullet holes and is facing a tanker. And, Senior Castillo fell of the tiny boat.🛥️ 
Dominic Illinois
Dominic Illinois         
I think that Isabel has the worst story because shes got shot at and there boat can sink at any moment or any harmful sea creatures can hurt them and there is a bigger oil boat  

Sadie Illinois I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water .
Sadie Illinois  I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water .
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Andrew K Illinois Andrew
 Andrew K Illinois
Andrew K Illinois
I think that Isabel is 
Payton, IL
Payton, IL
Hi! I am Payton. Am I am from Illinois.


I think Isa
Sadie Illinois
Sadie Illinois  
I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water . 
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Hi my name is Aleyna and I am in the 6th grade. I think the character with the most difficult life is Mahmoud, because his friend died in a airstrike, his car got shot up, and a soli
Hailey Ilinois
Hailey Ilinois
I think Mahmoud is having the hardest time escaping because, first of all the smugglers keep saying they have a boat ready but they don't, also Mahmoud and his family were kicked out of the building they were staying in and have no shelter now.

Gavin Illinois
Gavin Illinois
I think Josef has the hardest life because he had to race two other ships to Cuba and his dad was acting crazy and he has to wait another day to get into Cuba 
Hayden Illnois
Hayden Illnois
I think Isabel has the wost life because she is in a tiny boat and a big tanker boat is by them.Most of the people either fell off or jumped in and Senior Castillo is drowning
Gina Illinois
Gina   Illinois
I believe that Josef has it hard because his dad is getting depression and is going crazy. 🤪 Also, the "doctor" was really a Nazi in disguise trying to single out ANYone that even flinched and kick them out of the boat.🛥️ And when Josef's family passed the test, they had to wait longer to get on the boat! They wrere very releved that they got to get on the boat.
😌
😌
Adam Illinois
Adam Illinois 
I think Isabel is having the most difficult situation first of all she just jump in the water. Second 
the motor doesn't really work. Third    
There is a bullit hole in the the boat 







Josef

Atlantic ocean 

Am so mad right now because
they are making them wait 
longer they have been on that 
boat for about five days.  They have been on that boat long enough.
shelby illnois
shelby illnois 
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Hi my name is Charlie and i'm in 5th grade we have learned
Emma, Franksville, WI
Emma, Franksville, WI
Hi, my name is Emma, and I am in eighth grade, from Drought school. So far, we have learned that Isabel, is wanting to go to the U.S, to escape from their home country in Cuba because of war. Josef is escaping from Hitler, because he's a jew, during World War II, and trying to get to Cuba. Mahmoud is trying to leave Syria, where bombs are being blown up right next to him. His family has decided that they would all go to Germany to escape the war. In my opinion, Mahmoud is facing the most difficult situation. Before they were fleeing to Turkey to be safe, until they leave for Germany. His parent's got a call from the smuggler. They were all super excited, until they saw what they would be leaving in. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in a dingy, is what they had to go in. They went aboard, and in the middle of the sea, there was a storm, and they dingy hit a rock, flipped over, and are stranded in the middle of the sea. All the families were slowly separating, and Mahmoud was trying to keep his family safe, until they saw a boat up ahead in the distance.  Sadly, the boad did not slow down, so Mahmoud and his mom cling to it, and then there were harsh waves, and his dad, and brother were gone. His mom was having trouble keeping Hannah safe, so they had to give her away to a complete stranger. To me, that would be a terrible life, I could never my life being like that.
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Isabel is escaping the most difficult situation because in Cuba her father would be put in jail if they didn’t leave. Also she is in a boat in the middle of the sea and it is filling up with sea water and has a very high chance of tipping but they are in the middle of the ocean so they have to stay in the boat or else they will drown. Also Isabel’s family lost their first aid kit so they have no medicine or matches and there might be sharks in the sea.

Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
We think that Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because his apartment was bombed and he was almost KILLED. We also think that Mahmoud had the most trouble in his past because his hometown got invaded by isis. I think that Mahmouds story is way worse than Isabel's because he was forced to leave his country and to never go back because of bombing but Isabel chose to leave because her family and her didn’t like there president and there were riots and they didn't have enough food.
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
 Isabel is trying to stay safe and is escaping famine. I think Isabel has the hardest story because before when she was living in Cuba they did not have enough food. Isabel could  also get caught for escaping Cuba at any moment in time.  When Isabel got on the boat there were lots of people. Another reason is that Isabel had to escape Cuba is because at the time  it wasn't very safe and Isabel’s father has been to jail two times before, so isabel and her family were worried that he was going to go back to jail. On the boat it was  filling up with water and Senor Castillo was drowning and Isabel saved him. Also they could have been hit by a ship which would have been a catastrophe. That’s why I think Isabel has the hardest part.
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi my name is Katie and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now. I think this because in Syria there are bombs and they cannot express their opinions and they are not safe. They could get hurt or they could get sent to jail for their religion. Where we are in the book, he is in a tiny little rubber dingy that just went over a rock. In the dingy they are packed in very tightly and the smugglers just sent them off and aren’t even in the boat. All they have is their phones and chargers and they don’t have any money. They are totally lost in the middle of the ocean. I think Mahmoud's situation is more difficult than Isabel's because at least Isabel has food and has some space on her boat and is not as lost as Mahmoud.
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Hi, I'm Emily and I think Josef has the most difficult life since his dad has gone mad and maybe the nazis are going after the jews. I think this is a more difficult journey than Mahmoud’s and Isabel’s story because Josef might be in a race with other boats and not be able to make it to Cuba. 

Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada
Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada

Hi I am Laura and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now because he has been through a lot. In Syria there are bombs and guns and it was not safe to be there. In Syria they could not express their opinion or else they would get in trouble by the government. He is now on a little boat in the middle of the sea with many other refugees. They are trying to make it to Germany. The waves are crashing and they are cold, wet and tired. They don’t have much everything they own is in their pockets. Now they are on a boat lost in the middle of the ocean not knowing what is coming next.
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is escaping the most difficult situation because he lost his home due to the war, and more specifically a missile. His whole family was put in danger after their home was destroyed. This is a more difficult situation than Isabel’s situation because Mahmoud had no choice but to leave his home, Isabel had a choice to leave her home. Mahmoud fled his country in search of safety and a new home. In Turkey, they were asking his family for too much money to pay for rent, and for the boat taking them to Europe. After all, his family left/lost most of their belongings in their home in Syria. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio. 
 6 grade from Orchard STEAM school. 

 My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is going through a difficult live his house got missal his mom is pregnant 🤰 they are in Turkey 🇹🇷 and Mahmoud’s dad is scared 😱 but he dose not want his family to know so he is makeing jokes.They are trying to get a dry spot and they went to a hotel but it is full so they can not stay in one hotel.
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Carter Franksville WI
Carter Franksville WI
Hello my name is Carter, and I am in eighth grade and go to Drought School
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Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
 qHi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade. I think the character eith the most difficult life is Machmoud  
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio 
Hi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i think 
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio 
 I think that Josef has the most hardest life because they are trying to escape 
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Hi my name is Enrique And im in 6th grade and the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because his house was missing a wall and missils dropping in Seria every day. and has to live his country that he was born and raised in. and then have to go to Greece, but stopped in tukey. And his story is going to be the saddest in my opinion. they have no were to stay inTurkey. Mahmoud’s dad said they cant stay in the camp. A boy showed them shelter, but it wasn’t free.
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio 
Hi my name is Emonie i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio my favorite character in Refugee is Josef becausn i feel really bad for him and his family. Because they been through alot because his dad had to go to a concentration camp and he was 

Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi, my name is Mysha, this was a very difficult choice for me, but I think have settled on a person. I think Mahmoud is living a very hard and difficult life. In the beginning of the book, his apartment got blown up by a missile. This was very unfortunate because it took him out of a place to live. This happened because, there was a war going on in Syria at the time. Later in the book, he had to walk miles to the Turkish airport, and they would only let them in if they answered one question correctly and that was, “Who are we against”? If they didn’t answer the question right, they would get shot. Luckily Waleed answered and said “We are against who ever is bombing us”. He saved the day, even though he didn’t realize it. After they got to Turkey, they already booked a boat to Greece. They called a hotel to ask if they could stay there, while they waited for the boat. The hotel said they were fully booked which again, his family didn’t have a place to live. They looked for a place to live and came across a boy, who helped them find a mall to live in but the boy was expecting a lot of Syrian money in return. His dad gave him the money because, he didn’t want his family to be roaming around the entire night, looking for a place to live. The next day, they went to the smuggler and asked where the boat was, and he said it was going to be there tomorrow. This had been going on since 11 days. If I was in this situation, I would definitely be crying and wishing to go back to Syria, even if there was a war there. That night, when they went back to the mall, there were two people saying they needed to pay rent to go inside. Mahmoud’s dad didn’t know if they had enough money to do that and then paying for the boat, so they rejected. Fortunately, this old man helped them. They got a message the boat was there for the 12th time so nobody had much hope. When they got there, the boat was actually there! Now we are on the part where they got on the boat. This is just my opinion, what is yours?  
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin 
Hello my name is Hailey and I am in seventh  grade at Drought School. I would say Mohmoud is in the worst situation. First of all Mohmoud is stranded in sea with his family.
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
  Who do you think is living the most difficult life? I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because in Aleppo there are bombs consently dropping. When they was leaving Syria they met soldiers who had automatic guns. Not only that when they were traveling with the soldiers Mahmoud saw them get shot and die, which would be scary. When they arrived in Turkey they had no extra clothes and were getting smuggled out of the country. It would be super risky and bad things could happen. They have no where to sleep because the hotel was full. When they were going to sleep in the park it was full too. Then the family followed some random kid through a sketchy ally way.
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
I think Josef has a difficult life because he has to leave Germany to go to Cuba. Everyone on the boat is nice now, but I think they might kill them or take them to jail. 
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Hello my name is Austin and I'm in the 7th grade at Drought School. In my opinion the character who has it worse is Joseph because he is on a ship harbored in Cuba but isn't let in. If he is't let in then he'll be forced to go back to Germany. Where he will be put in a concentration camp because he is technically a man. Also if he gets sent back he can and will die because the Nazis are ruthless and want Jews to die. To make it even worse his father dove into the ocean and flailed his arms to attract sharks but got saved. Though he tried to escape the policeman who saved him. Now he just thinking now we'll never make it into Cuba.There is nothing worse than having to be sent back home to his doom.
Ava, Franksville, WI
Ava, Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Ava I'm from the seventh grade at Drought School. I would say the character living the hardest life would be Mahmoud. Mahmoud is trying to survive in the middle if the Mediterranean Sea with crashing waves and hard rain. Mahmoud had to give his sister to a stranger that no one in his family knew. Now that Hannah, Mahmoud's sister is gone he has to try and keep his mom from drowning. In the distance Mahmoud found a life jacket, a real one! He was given one but it was fake. now Mamoud has to survive the night in the water.  
Seth-Franksville, WI
Seth-Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Seth, and I am part of eighth grade at Drought school. I believe Mohmoud has the worst situation. First of all,  Mohmoud has been stranded at sea, and his father and brother are somewhere else. Also Mohmouds mother had to give Hannah away to stay alive.

Hopking - Racine, WI
Hopking - Racine, WI
Hello, I am representing Drought school's 8th grade. I would say the person in the worst situation in the book, Refugee, so far would have to be Mahmoud. The last we heard form him was him trying to survive against the crashing waves. Mahmoud is in the middle of sea, lost his father and brother, and gave his sister to  complete stranger. His sister was given to another person because it was the last choice. It was either Mahmoud's mother or his sister since Mahmoud can't keep them up for that long.
Elena - Franksville, WI
Elena - Franksville, WI
Hello! My name is Elena, and I am proud to be a part of the eight grade class at Drought School. First, let me say how intriguing the stories of these three unique individuals are. Josef is a Jewish boy living in the 1930s of Germany. After a visit from the Nazis, he and his family are forced to leave their home at once, and board a ship for Cuba. Isabel is a Cuban girl growing up in the 1990s. Her family is leaving their home as well, but for America, and in a little homemade raft. Mahmoud is Syrian, and in the commotion of bombs and destruction in 2015. He and his family left Syria, hoping to reach Greece to become refugees.
 Out of all these stories, however, I would say Mahmoud's unfortunate tale is the most disturbing. This young boy is the eldest of his siblings, Waleed and Hannah. Hannah is only a baby, helpless and unsafe. Mahmoud and his family flee to Turkey because none of them are safe in Syria when their apartment is blasted to bits. Then, they cannot find shelter in Turkey, but thankfully find an old mall to sleep in for a week. But they are kicked out and once more have to walk in the cold, sore and tired. Then the smuggler Mahmoud's father hired days ago told them a ship was waiting for them, which was good news they desperately needed. On the dingy out on sea, the family and other passengers are flipped over during a storm and nearly drown. Thankfully, there is another dingy which passes by, but doesn't stop. Mahmoud, his mother, and baby sister cling onto the boat, but only Hannah is able to stay. Now, Mahmoud and his mother are stranded in the sea, his father and brother are stranded in an entire other location, and his sister is gone. I cannot think of anything more difficult can this. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha, 
I. Am from Cleveland Ohio.Orchard  STEM school.

My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is though alot  of things like his house got missal and he got sacred because his mom was inside the house but his mom was trying to get the things that she could.They were at Turky 
I lfigcsd
 I lfigcsd
Felix Cleveland,ohio
Felix Cleveland,ohio
I think is Josef because try to go away from the fight in Germany.
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin 
Hello! My name is Myia, and I am representing Drought school. I really love this story but I think  Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living the hardest life because he had to give up his little sister to people they didn't even know. If I had a sister and had to give her up to someone I didn't know would be the hardest thing to do. Also, Mahmoud is in the middle of the Mediterranean sea in a horrible storm. He just saw the guy he was sitting next to floating dead in the sea. The guy had a real life preserver on so Mahmoud took it off to use it. I wish Mahmoud and the other chareters were living a better life. 
Micheal Struck Jr. 7th Grade
Micheal Struck Jr.     7th Grade
Hi I'm Micheal and I'm from Drought school which is in Franksville, Wisconsin and, I'm in 7th grade. I believe that Mahmoud is in the worst situation because, he is stuck at sea with only his mom to care for him. Yet, he isn't even just stuck at sea, hes stuck in the sea! Mahmoud also lost his father, baby sister, and brother. I can imagine him going into some hard ships because of this. Mahmoud was also being rushed for so long and he hurried all for this. That could make a big impact on him and make him feel stupid. Also, before all this Mahmoud had to deal with his house being blown to bits, a person dieing on his lap, leaving a caring man, having a life without being terrified, and even getting fake life vest! Although, that might not be all it is a lot of reasons.That was why I choose that Mahmoud is  in the hardest situation. 

Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio
Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is Layloni. I am from Cleveland Ohio. Refugee is a good book. I love Refugee because of Mahmoud. Mahmoud is my favorite in the book so far because his story is interesting. It is interesting because his story is the saddest in the book so far. It is sad because his house got destroyed and he almost died by a Misel. He also seen a soldier die. They did not h e no cloths or a place to sleep. That is why I like Mahmoud the best out of all the stories


Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
The character I think is having the most difficult life is Josef. I say that because when Hitler took over Germany Hitlers natzi crew made called Kristallnacht and they called it kristallnacht because they hated Jews so much they destroyed everything like Jewish houses,jobs,and synagogues and that was a terrible night for all the Jews because he hated Jews and about 91-100 Jews died that night. Hitlers crew was heartless when it came to Jews and I feel very bad they have to go through that.
Charles, Cleveland Ohio
Charles, Cleveland Ohio 
In my opinion, the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car.That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence where as Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that where everybody’s being nice to him and his family.They’re not use to that because the Nazis didnt like Jews back then.Mahmoud dad has smuggler taking them to greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandon mall.
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think that Josef is living the most difficult life because since he is Jewish he is treated terribly he has to walk around with an armband on, he’s not allowed to go to restaurants or movie theaters. When his dad gets realeased from the concentration camp his family gets a telegram and they get on a train to meet his father. Josef wonders how he’d be treated if people didn’t know he was Jewish. He stuffed his armband in his pocket and left the train car labeled “Jewish”. He got Ruth a piece of candy but when he was getting the money from his pocket the armband fell out. He tried to grab it but a Hitler Youth stepped on it before he could grab it. Josef was terrified. He thought his family was going to have to leave the train. When the Hitler Youth brung Josef back th the Jewish train car he was so happy. The Hitler Youth spotted the piece of candy Josef bought for Ruth. He took it and left. When Josef got to the ship where they were meeting his dad at, his dad was so terrified. He had been in a concentration camp for 6 months. That’s half of a year! When they finally got on the ship everyone was nice to them. Even though the people working on the ship were not Jewish they still where very nice. Josef’s dad thought that it was a trick. The day of Josef’s bar mitzvah his dad didn’t even come. After the party was over Josef saw 2 girls locking all of the stalls in the woman’s restroom. He went to tell 2 people working on the boat and he overheard them saying that there were 2 other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until Josef heard this news now he is really afraid again.
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
I think Mahmoud has the hardest life. He saw someone die right next to him and he was in the car when that happened. Mahmoud has a really hard life and he’s not even 16.
He has goes through allot and there’s was nothing he could have done.
3 Characters, 3 Stories:
 3 Characters, 3 Stories: Who is Living the Most Difficult Life?
Greetings from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA! Our class would love for you to answer the following question: WHO DO
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio.          My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because his family is in Turkey and they don’t have nowhere to go and his mom is pregnant and his dad is scared so he was making jokes so his family dont be scared.
Titus Cleveland,ohio
Titus Cleveland,ohio
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life because his own home has been destroyed. He got bullied for standing up for his friend and then they stopped  hanging out with each other and if that wasn’t bad enough his friend died from a bomb dropping. And he saw a soilder die in front of him with a bullet hole in his head and his dad’s car broke down so him and his family had to walk on foot. I couldn’t imagine having a life like that without being terrified everyday. These are my reasons why Mahmoud’s life is the hardest out of all the characters in Refugee.
David Aberdeen
David Aberdeen 
isabele cant really go no where because she is on a crowded boat in the middle of an ocean.  She can get shot in the head because thier are people on the boat castro wants to kill. The boat can sink.the girl had a rough life because she had not much food and the boat is linking and it would probably sink.

I think Joseph got a
 I think Joseph got a different
David Aberdeen Wa
David Aberdeen Wa
Isabel had the most difficult life because
Emonie Cleveland, OH
Emonie Cleveland, OH 
Hi my name is Emonie and i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio and my favorite Character is Josef because his life is hard because hes a jew and and his leader hate Jews. 

Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
The character that is living the most
difficult life is Josef because his father is 
mysterious 
Isabell bad horrible
 Isabell bad horrible life
Precious, Cleveland
 Precious, Cleveland Ohio

I think Isabel because a big tanker came!!!
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio 
I think the person with the most difficult life is Mahmoud. because he has no were to stay and he is trying to stay alive.
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
I think the character with the most difficult life is 
Charles cleveland ohio
Charles cleveland ohio
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is mahmoud because he has to escape by car that means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody’s being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn’t like jews back then. But everybody on the boat was a jew.mahmoud has already  com across for soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by  by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely
Genesis Cleveland, OH
Genesis Cleveland, OH
The one that’s living the most difficult life WAS Josef because of when he was in Germany but now he MIGHT go to Cuba. NOW Mahmoud is living a diffcult life because his dad has a smuggler taking them to Greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandoned mall that people are using them as apartments and is a moldy place that’s in bad conditions for a unborn baby.
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio 

I think the character with the most difficult life is Josef.he has to deal with his dad going to a concentration camp, and when hitter told the Jewish people that they could escape to Cuba Josef and his little sister Ruth,were terrified of the way he was acting and looking.
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Who do you think is trying to escape the most difficult situation? In my opinion, I think it’s Mahmoud. Why? It is super dangerous in Syria, there are  constantly bombs dropping. Also they were traveling by car! They could get shot or something worse. Then, when they get in Turkey they plan on getting smuggled into another country, because of that they have to pay the smuggler alot of money so now they have very little money to eat. So now they have to sleep outside. Also they have no extra clothes so they stink.
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio 
I think the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over. When Josef was sleeping the nazi’s came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took Josef’s dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef’s mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp they. They told Josef’s mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but, it looked nothing like the man that they knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and his beard was shaved off and he was very paranoid. When they got on the boat the father was not trusting the crew members he thinks that it’s a trick. And now they are on their way to Cuba.

Jandaniel
 Jandaniel
Abdi’O
Abdi’O
Cleveland Ohio I think Mahmoud has the hardiest life .the reasons why I think Mahmoud has the most hardest life out of all them is because he have to with barrel bombed on a daily basis and the second reason why is his whole city is bombed and there is place to buy things to survive and also doesn’t have he have go to turkey on foot they not even to there destination with is Germany 
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think Josef is living the most difficult life because he is Jewish and back then Hitler was in charge and he hated Jews. Josef and his family were on a ship to Cuba and he had his bar mitzvah on the ship. He saw two little girls locking all the bathroom stalls in the woman’s restroom and he went to tell two people working on the ship and overheard them talking about two other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until he heard this news and now he’s really scared.
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio 
I think  the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over.when josef was sleeping the nazi came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took josef dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef  Mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp. They told josef mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but,it looked like the man knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and hid beard was shaved off and was very paranoid. When they got on the boats there Father was not on the boat.
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
I think the character with he most difficult life is Mahmoud. He comes home from school and is apartment building is getting bombed. His van is getting bombed. we don't know if he is ever getting out of his country. he probably saw some stuff in the van that we will never see . He probably has to walk on foot now. But he is still lucky because he has his family but joseph thought that might of lost his dad. they also have money which they are pretty lucky. 


SO I THINK THAT MAHMOUD HA THE HARDEST LIFE.
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
I think the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because he comes from school and his house is getting bombed. and is trying to get out of syria. and trying to get to greece that is a long drive.And have to sleep in a abandoned mall that a boy showed them
with other refugees.his family was trying to go to a hotel that exept syrian refugees but the hotel was full.
Violet Ottawa,Canada
Violet Ottawa,Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked by the bad soldiers and one of the soldiers got shot in the head.  


Claire, Ottawa, Canada
Claire, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life because of many reasons. First of all, his house is destroyed. Also, his family and him now have to walk on foot to escape Aleppo, Syria. Mahmoud's family car has many bullet holes in it from an attack. When they stopped at a gas station they came across some soldiers. They would either say the wrong thing and die or say the right thing and live. They had a big decision to make. Luckily, the soldiers decided that they should live and even asked for a ride. Then as they were driving, they got under an attack! Their car got completely ruined with bullet holes (as I said earlier). Also, one of the soldiers got shot in the head and died! He was right beside Mahmoud too! It was very traumatic because Mahmoud could of died. Mahmoud and his sisters and brothers have to escape there only home. 
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston. isabelle is in dagert because her boat is siking.
Sasha, Room 1, Seato
 Sasha, Room 1, Seatoun School, New Zealand

I feel that Muhammad is escaping from the most difficult life. The effects there war had on his family are most extreme. For example, Waleed becomeing robotic, and Muhammad paranoid. But Joseph I’d escaping into the most gruelling life, as his father is emotional deteriorating, and that will affect him greatly.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him.

Avery ottawa canada ontario
Avery ottawa canada ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience. And he will have to dell with war  


g the most dangerous situ
 g the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their re
Geordi LaForge
Geordi LaForge
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these character are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be deing from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Jean Luke Picard
Jean Luke Picard
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Josef may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but in my opinion Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

PS Sorry, I had to make a second one, because of a huge glitch. 

Leia Ottawa Ontario Canad
 Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
undefined
because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully 
 I think 
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because his 
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an not so normal because he has
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult dificult IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultdificult

Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmou
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
undefined
because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully, Germany
 I think that Josef is living the hardest life because Jews were killed and tortured in concentration camps. when. they became adults.
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because he had to stay invisible because he didn't want to be seen and not be bullied. His apartment got destroyed by missiles and he got lucky to make it out alive. he went in his car to germany, he got some soldiers to help and now one of them got shot in the head and they are fighting people now.
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and they have a to patch it up with
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT. the worst part is he's pulled over by soldiers! in conclusion, i can't live like that.
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.So in the end Mahmoud to me is living the hardest life

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult journey I would pick mahmoud because he is traveling by car which is the most dangerous way to travelIthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultjourneyIwouldpickmahmoudbecauseheistravelingbycarwhichisthemostdangerouswaytotravel

Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him

Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed. Mahmoud doesn't have anywhere else to go so, he's living the most dangerous life.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. the fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violencebeacause of ther.
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.   even though he is in a more modern day war so they have phones and he can call his parents to find out where they are if they get seperated. Mahmoud is also living in when of the most divided country and warzone. it is divided between governments rebels and more.  His car was also being lit up with bullet holes and they had to take cover and jump out of the van when they were attacked. That was my opinion on who is living the worst life out of the 3 people, Joseph,Mahmoud And Isabel.
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most difficult situation( he and his family are being targeted, he is not just caught up in something. )but he has an easier journey, as he is on a giant boat, which is safer than on foot or in a very small boat. 

However, right now, Mahmoud  has the most difficult life because there are soldiers and bombs everywhere. Isabel is not in immediate danger, just starving, and on a boat.  
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo 
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him fir a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to 
Kaden OTT, O CAN
Kaden OTT, O CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get seperated.
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living the hardest life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people, and hitler is very powerful.
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living th hardest life. He is being forced to leave his country, and won’t even be himself because he’s too scared that something might happen if he does. His house was also bombed
Avery canada ottawa ontario
Avery canada ottawa ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience.  
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. I think this Because he's so afraid, that he hides his identity. To make things worse he is bombed forcing him and his family to leave the country. In the bomb all of his belongings were destroyed (except for some things) . Joseph and Isabell get a boat but Mahmoud travels by FOOT.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. josefs dad is already in a concentration camp 
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Josef the 12 year old jewish boy is living the hardest life out of the three . I think that Josef is living the hardest life because he is a jewish boy and during the WW2 (world war 2) Hitler was targeting all jewish people. His father who was a jewish man was sent to a jewish concentration camp because he was studying law and jewish people were not allowed to study law . Josefs father luckily got a chance to get out of Germany. Josef also doesn't get treated well because he is a jewish boy. The Nazis also crashed their entire house (which was later called the night of broken glass). The Nazis warned Josefs family "if they didn't leave Nazi, Germany than they would have  to pay the price."  Mahmoud is almost in the same situation, but unlike Josef Mahmoud is not a big target and nothing is stopping from leaving.
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
In my experience of the book I think that Mahmoud is having the most difficult time out of all of them because Mahmoud house was actually distroyed!!! I feel bad for all of them but I feel bad for Mahmoud the most...But at the same time I feel extremely thankful that there is no war on Canada:)
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life out three people because he saw his home get destroyed right in front of him. Also he had a very traumatic experience when he sees a man dead because he shot in the head when he was driving by a gas station. That's when people started coming with guns and started shooting. His life is always in fear. Which I think is really sad.   
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal li IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormalli
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. 
Ben, Ottawa,Canada
Ben, Ottawa,Canada 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
M4
M4
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies falling on them. This is why I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. 
Violet Ottawa, Canada
Violet Ottawa, Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked 
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
I believe that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living in the most divided country. It is divided into the Syrian government, Syrian rebels, American and UN soldiers, Daesh (ISIS) and Russian bombs. Also, Isabelle is only traveling 90 miles, even though on a leaking boat, there are other boats if theirs sinks, and Josef is on a large and safe boat. Although I do believe that the difficulty of Isabelle's and Mahmoud's life are similar in difficulty, I believe Mahmoud's is more difficult, because of the fact that his journey is longer, and more perilous. I say that because while a leaking boat is dangerous, if they sink, there will be a chance of being rescued, but if Mahmoud is shot fatally, he can't be rescued. In my opinion, Josef's life looks the most promising, because he is on the safest vessel of transportation (a large boat), is safer than a car or a leaking boat. Then again, Mahmoud's has been lit up with bullet holes. In conclusion, I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
I would say that in my oppinion is that Isabelle is living the hardsed life beacause she has basically no possesions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adlut or somting and since they rescued the Castellos son and girl friend but they have given there trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now takking on water and the don't have anything to pach it up with
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, I will support why Mahmoud is having a difficult life. Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Mahmoud has, at this moment nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot, of Turkey and Germany, because his car is shredded with bullets.
Emily Hinton,alberta
Emily Hinton,alberta
I think isabel has the hardest 
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think Mamoud is living the hardest life because his best friend died and he is living in bo
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life because she is almost starving and has really low high gene. She is running away from the police and breaking laws. she has the most difficult life because her father is a wanted man and has been put in prison once almost twice. Isabel is has no school and only knows one instrument to play.
isabel is living the hardiest life
isabel is living the hardiest life 
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life. I think that because he couldn't see his dad for six months and he has to leave in fourteen days. He also lost his Star Of David in the German section of the train.
Luke Hinton AB CVS school
Luke  Hinton AB CVS school
I think that Josef is living in a "apocolypse on earth" because 1 his father is in a concentration camp. 2 his school was a mean school. 3 he was forced to move
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
I think Isabel is living the most difficult life because here father went to prison for travelling to a different country. She doesn't have a lot of food.
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think Josef is living the hardest life. His father got put in a  concentration camp and to get out he and his family had to leave Germany in 14 days or else they would all put in a concentration camp.
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada 
I think the person that has the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers and took his dad a way and got brought to a concentration camp for six months. Mean while..his best friend also died from a bomb.
Brooke N Hinton AB
Brooke N Hinton AB
I think that all of them are living the most difficult life. Mahmoud is practically living in a world of bombs, Isabel is living in a world of hate and riots and Josef's father was taken away by Nazis to a concentration camp. So I think that all of them are living the worst life in this book. So it is really important that we realize it could be so much worse for us.


Loghan,Hinton,AB
Loghan,Hinton,AB
I think Josef had the most difficult life beacuse the germans broke into his house and toke his dad for practicing law.
Kameron Hinton Alberta
Kameron Hinton Alberta 
I think that mahmoud has the worst life because his freind got bombed by an air strike 
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
I think the person with the hardest life was Josef because his father was taken to a concentration camp well the WW || was going on
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life because,he was getting bullied at school and the only way to not get bullied was to not be seen so by doing that he lost his best friend.A few days later his friend died,now its just him and his brother. 
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef because his father was taken to custody and Josef hasn't seen his father in a year. As the year past they decided to seek refugee in Cuba and as they did they would have to wear the star of David, which means they were Jewish. when they were in Germany, Jewish people were not respected. When they were on the train Josef decided to go onto the German train. There he realized there were no differences between Jewish and German. But when he went to the concession he dropped his Star Of David and a Hitler Youth caught him but instead of revealing it to everyone he instead quietly told Josef to come with him. Now he is either going to be sent to custody or the Hitler youth might end up being good and helping him in further chapters.
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life because his father got taken away into concentration camp, when josef got caught on the train i dont think he is going to get in trouble i think the Hitler Youth is going to help him.
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada 
I think the person with the hardest life is Josef. I think he has the hardest life because he lost his friend because of Hitler. his dad was taken away by the German storm troopers and that was not fair to him and now he has to go to Cuba and he now knows that the German  people are the exact same as him and the Jewish people and its all just Hitlers fault. 
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers took his dad away and brought to a concentration camp for six whole months!! Josef also lost his best friend died in a bomb. 
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
i think the person that's living the most difficult life would be Josef because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard, and it was happening in WW ll.
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
I picked Josef for living a difficulty life, because his dad is not there with him 24/7. And his dad is probably having bad times, WWII. If Josef loses his dad that would be really hard for him. 
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin 
the person living in  the most difficult situation is Josef, because he have to escape from the Nazis, so he don't end up in the concentration camp like his father  
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person that's living the most difficult life  would be Josef, because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard , and it was happening in WWII so that was pretty bad and hard because a lot of people died. 
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person living in the most difficult situation is Josef.  I feel this way because I have read so many books and have watched so many movies that show just how terrible WWII was.   Also, his father was in a concentration camp and the entire family could also end up there one day.
Andrew K Illinois
Andrew K Illinois
I think that Isabel is having the worst ,because her grandpa fell off the boat.
Payton, IL
Payton, IL
Hi! I am Payton. Am I am from Illinois.


I think Isabel has the hardest life because they have to get away from Cuba and it is very difficult. There is also a giant tanker following them. Senora Castillo has just falling off the boat and Isabel has to go get him. That's hard already. They already have a whole boat of people.
Sadie Illinois
Sadie Illinois  
I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water . 
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Hi my name is Aleyna and I am in the 6th grade. I think the character with the most difficult life is Mahmoud, because his friend died in a airstrike, his car got shot up, and a solider got shot in the head right next to him.
Hailey Ilinois
Hailey Ilinois
I think Mahmoud is having the hardest time escaping because, first of all the smugglers keep saying they have a boat ready but they don't, also Mahmoud and his family were kicked out of the building they were staying in and have no shelter now.

Gavin Illinois
Gavin Illinois
I think Josef has the hardest life because he had to race two other ships to Cuba and his dad was acting crazy and he has to wait another day to get into Cuba 
Maddie Illinois
Maddie Illinois
I think that 
Isabel is in the worst situation because she jumped of a boat to save someone. Next, they were on a small boat so anyone could fall out.
Finally there was a lot of people so anything could go wrong.
Hayden Illnois
Hayden Illnois
I think Isabel has the wost life because she is in a tiny boat and a big tanker boat is by them.Most of the people either fell off or jumped in and Senior Castillo is drowning
Gina Illinois
Gina   Illinois
I believe that Josef has it hard because his dad is getting depression and is going crazy. 🤪 Also, the "doctor" was really a Nazi in disguise trying to single out ANYone that even flinched and kick them out of the boat.🛥️ And when Josef's family passed the test, they had to wait longer to get on the boat! They were very relieved that they got to get on the boat.
😌


shelby illnois
shelby illnois 
hi my name is Shelby and I think Josef has it the hardest because he was forced to leave his home and when on the jew train car he went to buy candy for he sister and was caught.his dad was sent to a consontrion camp and is now going crazy.
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Hi my name is Charlie and i'm in 5th grade we have learned
Emma, Franksville, WI
Emma, Franksville, WI
Hi, my name is Emma, and I am in eighth grade, from Drought school. So far, we have learned that Isabel, is wanting to go to the U.S, to escape from their home country in Cuba because of war. Josef is escaping from Hitler, because he's a jew, during World War II, and trying to get to Cuba. Mahmoud is trying to leave Syria, where bombs are being blown up right next to him. His family has decided that they would all go to Germany to escape the war. In my opinion, Mahmoud is facing the most difficult situation. Before they were fleeing to Turkey to be safe, until they leave for Germany. His parent's got a call from the smuggler. They were all super excited, until they saw what they would be leaving in. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in a dingy, is what they had to go in. They went aboard, and in the middle of the sea, there was a storm, and they dingy hit a rock, flipped over, and are stranded in the middle of the sea. All the families were slowly separating, and Mahmoud was trying to keep his family safe, until they saw a boat up ahead in the distance.  Sadly, the boad did not slow down, so Mahmoud and his mom cling to it, and then there were harsh waves, and his dad, and brother were gone. His mom was having trouble keeping Hannah safe, so they had to give her away to a complete stranger. To me, that would be a terrible life, I could never my life being like that.
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Isabel is escaping the most difficult situation because in Cuba her father would be put in jail if they didn’t leave. Also she is in a boat in the middle of the sea and it is filling up with sea water and has a very high chance of tipping but they are in the middle of the ocean so they have to stay in the boat or else they will drown. Also Isabel’s family lost their first aid kit so they have no medicine or matches and there might be sharks in the sea.

Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
We think that Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because his apartment was bombed and he was almost KILLED. We also think that Mahmoud had the most trouble in his past because his hometown got invaded by isis. I think that Mahmouds story is way worse than Isabel's because he was forced to leave his country and to never go back because of bombing but Isabel chose to leave because her family and her didn’t like there president and there were riots and they didn't have enough food.
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
 Isabel is trying to stay safe and is escaping famine. I think Isabel has the hardest story because before when she was living in Cuba they did not have enough food. Isabel could  also get caught for escaping Cuba at any moment in time.  When Isabel got on the boat there were lots of people. Another reason is that Isabel had to escape Cuba is because at the time  it wasn't very safe and Isabel’s father has been to jail two times before, so isabel and her family were worried that he was going to go back to jail. On the boat it was  filling up with water and Senor Castillo was drowning and Isabel saved him. Also they could have been hit by a ship which would have been a catastrophe. That’s why I think Isabel has the hardest part.
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi my name is Katie and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now. I think this because in Syria there are bombs and they cannot express their opinions and they are not safe. They could get hurt or they could get sent to jail for their religion. Where we are in the book, he is in a tiny little rubber dingy that just went over a rock. In the dingy they are packed in very tightly and the smugglers just sent them off and aren’t even in the boat. All they have is their phones and chargers and they don’t have any money. They are totally lost in the middle of the ocean. I think Mahmoud's situation is more difficult than Isabel's because at least Isabel has food and has some space on her boat and is not as lost as Mahmoud.
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Hi, I'm Emily and I think Josef has the most difficult life since his dad has gone mad and maybe the nazis are going after the jews. I think this is a more difficult journey than Mahmoud’s and Isabel’s story because Josef might be in a race with other boats and not be able to make it to Cuba. 

Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada
Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada

Hi I am Laura and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now because he has been through a lot. In Syria there are bombs and guns and it was not safe to be there. In Syria they could not express their opinion or else they would get in trouble by the government. He is now on a little boat in the middle of the sea with many other refugees. They are trying to make it to Germany. The waves are crashing and they are cold, wet and tired. They don’t have much everything they own is in their pockets. Now they are on a boat lost in the middle of the ocean not knowing what is coming next.
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is escaping the most difficult situation because he lost his home due to the war, and more specifically a missile. His whole family was put in danger after their home was destroyed. This is a more difficult situation than Isabel’s situation because Mahmoud had no choice but to leave his home, Isabel had a choice to leave her home. Mahmoud fled his country in search of safety and a new home. In Turkey, they were asking his family for too much money to pay for rent, and for the boat taking them to Europe. After all, his family left/lost most of their belongings in their home in Syria. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio. 
 6 grade from Orchard STEAM school. 

 My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is going through a difficult live his house got missal his mom is pregnant 🤰 they are in Turkey 🇹🇷 and Mahmoud’s dad is scared 😱 but he dose not want his family to know so he is makeing jokes.They are trying to get a dry spot and they went to a hotel but it is full so they can not stay in one hotel.
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Carter Franksville WI
Carter Franksville WI
Hello my name is Carter, and I am in eighth grade and go to Drought School
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Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
 qHi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade. I think the character eith the most difficult life is Machmoud  
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio 
Hi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i think 
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio 
 I think that Josef has the most hardest life because they are trying to escape 
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Hi my name is Enrique And im in 6th grade and the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because his house was missing a wall and missils dropping in Seria every day. and has to live his country that he was born and raised in. and then have to go to Greece, but stopped in tukey. And his story is going to be the saddest in my opinion. they have no were to stay inTurkey. Mahmoud’s dad said they cant stay in the camp. A boy showed them shelter, but it wasn’t free.
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio 
Hi my name is Emonie i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio my favorite character in Refugee is Josef becausn i feel really bad for him and his family. Because they been through alot because his dad had to go to a concentration camp and he was 

Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi, my name is Mysha, this was a very difficult choice for me, but I think have settled on a person. I think Mahmoud is living a very hard and difficult life. In the beginning of the book, his apartment got blown up by a missile. This was very unfortunate because it took him out of a place to live. This happened because, there was a war going on in Syria at the time. Later in the book, he had to walk miles to the Turkish airport, and they would only let them in if they answered one question correctly and that was, “Who are we against”? If they didn’t answer the question right, they would get shot. Luckily Waleed answered and said “We are against who ever is bombing us”. He saved the day, even though he didn’t realize it. After they got to Turkey, they already booked a boat to Greece. They called a hotel to ask if they could stay there, while they waited for the boat. The hotel said they were fully booked which again, his family didn’t have a place to live. They looked for a place to live and came across a boy, who helped them find a mall to live in but the boy was expecting a lot of Syrian money in return. His dad gave him the money because, he didn’t want his family to be roaming around the entire night, looking for a place to live. The next day, they went to the smuggler and asked where the boat was, and he said it was going to be there tomorrow. This had been going on since 11 days. If I was in this situation, I would definitely be crying and wishing to go back to Syria, even if there was a war there. That night, when they went back to the mall, there were two people saying they needed to pay rent to go inside. Mahmoud’s dad didn’t know if they had enough money to do that and then paying for the boat, so they rejected. Fortunately, this old man helped them. They got a message the boat was there for the 12th time so nobody had much hope. When they got there, the boat was actually there! Now we are on the part where they got on the boat. This is just my opinion, what is yours?  
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin 
Hello my name is Hailey and I am in seventh  grade at Drought School. I would say Mohmoud is in the worst situation. First of all Mohmoud is stranded in sea with his family.
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
  Who do you think is living the most difficult life? I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because in Aleppo there are bombs consently dropping. When they was leaving Syria they met soldiers who had automatic guns. Not only that when they were traveling with the soldiers Mahmoud saw them get shot and die, which would be scary. When they arrived in Turkey they had no extra clothes and were getting smuggled out of the country. It would be super risky and bad things could happen. They have no where to sleep because the hotel was full. When they were going to sleep in the park it was full too. Then the family followed some random kid through a sketchy ally way.
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
I think Josef has a difficult life because he has to leave Germany to go to Cuba. Everyone on the boat is nice now, but I think they might kill them or take them to jail. 
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Hello my name is Austin and I'm in the 7th grade at Drought School. In my opinion the character who has it worse is Joseph because he is on a ship harbored in Cuba but isn't let in. If he is't let in then he'll be forced to go back to Germany. Where he will be put in a concentration camp because he is technically a man. Also if he gets sent back he can and will die because the Nazis are ruthless and want Jews to die. To make it even worse his father dove into the ocean and flailed his arms to attract sharks but got saved. Though he tried to escape the policeman who saved him. Now he just thinking now we'll never make it into Cuba.There is nothing worse than having to be sent back home to his doom.
Ava, Franksville, WI
Ava, Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Ava I'm from the seventh grade at Drought School. I would say the character living the hardest life would be Mahmoud. Mahmoud is trying to survive in the middle if the Mediterranean Sea with crashing waves and hard rain. Mahmoud had to give his sister to a stranger that no one in his family knew. Now that Hannah, Mahmoud's sister is gone he has to try and keep his mom from drowning. In the distance Mahmoud found a life jacket, a real one! He was given one but it was fake. now Mamoud has to survive the night in the water.  
Seth-Franksville, WI
Seth-Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Seth, and I am part of eighth grade at Drought school. I believe Mohmoud has the worst situation. First of all,  Mohmoud has been stranded at sea, and his father and brother are somewhere else. Also Mohmouds mother had to give Hannah away to stay alive.

Hopking - Racine, WI
Hopking - Racine, WI
Hello, I am representing Drought school's 8th grade. I would say the person in the worst situation in the book, Refugee, so far would have to be Mahmoud. The last we heard form him was him trying to survive against the crashing waves. Mahmoud is in the middle of sea, lost his father and brother, and gave his sister to  complete stranger. His sister was given to another person because it was the last choice. It was either Mahmoud's mother or his sister since Mahmoud can't keep them up for that long.
Elena - Franksville, WI
Elena - Franksville, WI
Hello! My name is Elena, and I am proud to be a part of the eight grade class at Drought School. First, let me say how intriguing the stories of these three unique individuals are. Josef is a Jewish boy living in the 1930s of Germany. After a visit from the Nazis, he and his family are forced to leave their home at once, and board a ship for Cuba. Isabel is a Cuban girl growing up in the 1990s. Her family is leaving their home as well, but for America, and in a little homemade raft. Mahmoud is Syrian, and in the commotion of bombs and destruction in 2015. He and his family left Syria, hoping to reach Greece to become refugees.
 Out of all these stories, however, I would say Mahmoud's unfortunate tale is the most disturbing. This young boy is the eldest of his siblings, Waleed and Hannah. Hannah is only a baby, helpless and unsafe. Mahmoud and his family flee to Turkey because none of them are safe in Syria when their apartment is blasted to bits. Then, they cannot find shelter in Turkey, but thankfully find an old mall to sleep in for a week. But they are kicked out and once more have to walk in the cold, sore and tired. Then the smuggler Mahmoud's father hired days ago told them a ship was waiting for them, which was good news they desperately needed. On the dingy out on sea, the family and other passengers are flipped over during a storm and nearly drown. Thankfully, there is another dingy which passes by, but doesn't stop. Mahmoud, his mother, and baby sister cling onto the boat, but only Hannah is able to stay. Now, Mahmoud and his mother are stranded in the sea, his father and brother are stranded in an entire other location, and his sister is gone. I cannot think of anything more difficult can this. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha, 
I. Am from Cleveland Ohio.Orchard  STEM school.

My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is though alot  of things like his house got missal and he got sacred because his mom was inside the house but his mom was trying to get the things that she could.They were at Turky 
I lfigcsd
 I lfigcsd
Felix Cleveland,ohio
Felix Cleveland,ohio
I think is Josef because try to go away from the fight in Germany.
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin 
Hello! My name is Myia, and I am representing Drought school. I really love this story but I think  Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living the hardest life because he had to give up his little sister to people they didn't even know. If I had a sister and had to give her up to someone I didn't know would be the hardest thing to do. Also, Mahmoud is in the middle of the Mediterranean sea in a horrible storm. He just saw the guy he was sitting next to floating dead in the sea. The guy had a real life preserver on so Mahmoud took it off to use it. I wish Mahmoud and the other chareters were living a better life. 
Micheal Struck Jr. 7th Grade
Micheal Struck Jr.     7th Grade
Hi I'm Micheal and I'm from Drought school which is in Franksville, Wisconsin and, I'm in 7th grade. I believe that Mahmoud is in the worst situation because, he is stuck at sea with only his mom to care for him. Yet, he isn't even just stuck at sea, hes stuck in the sea! Mahmoud also lost his father, baby sister, and brother. I can imagine him going into some hard ships because of this. Mahmoud was also being rushed for so long and he hurried all for this. That could make a big impact on him and make him feel stupid. Also, before all this Mahmoud had to deal with his house being blown to bits, a person dieing on his lap, leaving a caring man, having a life without being terrified, and even getting fake life vest! Although, that might not be all it is a lot of reasons.That was why I choose that Mahmoud is  in the hardest situation. 

Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio
Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is Layloni. i am a sixth grader from Cleveland Ohio. Refugee is a good book. I love Refugee because of Mahmoud. Mahmoud is my favorite in the book so far because his story is interesting. It is interesting because his story is sad it is sad because his house got destroyed and he almost died by misel . He also seen a soldier die. They did not have no cloths or a place to sleep. And that makes the story sad


Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
The character I think is having the most difficult life is Josef. I say that because when Hitler took over Germany.Hitlers natzi crew made a night called Kristallnacht and they called it kristallnacht because they hated Jews so much they destroyed everything like Jewish houses,jobs,and synagogues and that was a terrible night for all the Jews because he hated Jews and about 91-100 Jews died that night. Hitlers crew was heartless when it came to Jews and I feel very bad they have to go through that.
Charles, Cleveland Ohio
Charles, Cleveland Ohio 
In my opinion, the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car.That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence where as Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that where everybody’s being nice to him and his family.They’re not use to that because the Nazis didnt like Jews back then.Mahmoud dad has smuggler taking them to greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandon mall.
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think that Josef is living the most difficult life because since he is Jewish he is treated terribly he has to walk around with an armband on, he’s not allowed to go to restaurants or movie theaters. When his dad gets realeased from the concentration camp his family gets a telegram and they get on a train to meet his father. Josef wonders how he’d be treated if people didn’t know he was Jewish. He stuffed his armband in his pocket and left the train car labeled “Jewish”. He got Ruth a piece of candy but when he was getting the money from his pocket the armband fell out. He tried to grab it but a Hitler Youth stepped on it before he could grab it. Josef was terrified. He thought his family was going to have to leave the train. When the Hitler Youth brung Josef back th the Jewish train car he was so happy. The Hitler Youth spotted the piece of candy Josef bought for Ruth. He took it and left. When Josef got to the ship where they were meeting his dad at, his dad was so terrified. He had been in a concentration camp for 6 months. That’s half of a year! When they finally got on the ship everyone was nice to them. Even though the people working on the ship were not Jewish they still where very nice. Josef’s dad thought that it was a trick. The day of Josef’s bar mitzvah his dad didn’t even come. After the party was over Josef saw 2 girls locking all of the stalls in the woman’s restroom. He went to tell 2 people working on the boat and he overheard them saying that there were 2 other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until Josef heard this news now he is really afraid again.
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
I think Mahmoud has the hardest life. He saw someone die right next to him and he was in the car when that happened. Mahmoud has a really hard life and he’s not even 16.
He has goes through allot and there’s was nothing he could have done.
3 Characters, 3 Stories:
 3 Characters, 3 Stories: Who is Living the Most Difficult Life?
Greetings from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA! Our class would love for you to answer the following question: WHO DO
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio.          My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because his family is in Turkey and they don’t have nowhere to go and his mom is pregnant and his dad is scared so he was making jokes so his family dont be scared.
Titus Cleveland,ohio
Titus Cleveland,ohio
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life because his own home has been destroyed. He got bullied for standing up for his friend and then they stopped  hanging out with each other and if that wasn’t bad enough his friend died from a bomb dropping. And he saw a soilder die in front of him with a bullet hole in his head and his dad’s car broke down so him and his family had to walk on foot. I couldn’t imagine having a life like that without being terrified everyday. These are my reasons why Mahmoud’s life is the hardest out of all the characters in Refugee.
David Aberdeen
David Aberdeen 
isabele cant really go no where because she is on a crowded boat in the middle of an ocean.  She can get shot in the head because thier are people on the boat castro wants to kill. The boat can sink.the girl had a rough life because she had not much food and the boat is linking and it would probably sink.

I think Joseph got a
 I think Joseph got a different
David Aberdeen Wa
David Aberdeen Wa
Isabel had the most difficult life because
Emonie Cleveland, OH
Emonie Cleveland, OH 
Hi my name is Emonie and i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio and my favorite Character is Josef because his life is hard because hes a jew and and his leader hate Jews. 

Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
The character that is living the most
difficult life is Josef because his father is 
mysterious 
Isabell bad horrible
 Isabell bad horrible life
Precious, Cleveland
 Precious, Cleveland Ohio

I think Isabel because a big tanker came!!!
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio 
I think the person with the most difficult life is Mahmoud. because he has no were to stay and he is trying to stay alive.
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
I think the character with the most difficult life is 
Charles cleveland ohio
Charles cleveland ohio
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is mahmoud because he has to escape by car that means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody’s being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn’t like jews back then. But everybody on the boat was a jew.mahmoud has already  com across for soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by  by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely
Genesis Cleveland, OH
Genesis Cleveland, OH
The one that’s living the most difficult life WAS Josef because of when he was in Germany but now he MIGHT go to Cuba. NOW Mahmoud is living a diffcult life because his dad has a smuggler taking them to Greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandoned mall that people are using them as apartments and is a moldy place that’s in bad conditions for a unborn baby.
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio 

I think the character with the most difficult life is Josef.he has to deal with his dad going to a concentration camp, and when hitter told the Jewish people that they could escape to Cuba Josef and his little sister Ruth,were terrified of the way he was acting and looking.
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Who do you think is trying to escape the most difficult situation? In my opinion, I think it’s Mahmoud. Why? It is super dangerous in Syria, there are  constantly bombs dropping. Also they were traveling by car! They could get shot or something worse. Then, when they get in Turkey they plan on getting smuggled into another country, because of that they have to pay the smuggler alot of money so now they have very little money to eat. So now they have to sleep outside. Also they have no extra clothes so they stink.
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio 
I think the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over. When Josef was sleeping the nazi’s came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took Josef’s dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef’s mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp they. They told Josef’s mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but, it looked nothing like the man that they knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and his beard was shaved off and he was very paranoid. When they got on the boat the father was not trusting the crew members he thinks that it’s a trick. And now they are on their way to Cuba.

Jandaniel
 Jandaniel
Abdi’O
Abdi’O
Cleveland Ohio I think Mahmoud has the hardiest life .the reasons why I think Mahmoud has the most hardest life out of all them is because he have to with barrel bombed on a daily basis and the second reason why is his whole city is bombed and there is place to buy things to survive and also doesn’t have he have go to turkey on foot they not even to there destination with is Germany 
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think Josef is living the most difficult life because he is Jewish and back then Hitler was in charge and he hated Jews. Josef and his family were on a ship to Cuba and he had his bar mitzvah on the ship. He saw two little girls locking all the bathroom stalls in the woman’s restroom and he went to tell two people working on the ship and overheard them talking about two other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until he heard this news and now he’s really scared.
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio 
I think  the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over.when josef was sleeping the nazi came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took josef dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef  Mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp. They told josef mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but,it looked like the man knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and hid beard was shaved off and was very paranoid. When they got on the boats there Father was not on the boat.
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
I think the character with he most difficult life is Mahmoud. He comes home from school and is apartment building is getting bombed. His van is getting bombed. we don't know if he is ever getting out of his country. he probably saw some stuff in the van that we will never see . He probably has to walk on foot now. But he is still lucky because he has his family but joseph thought that might of lost his dad. they also have money which they are pretty lucky. 


SO I THINK THAT MAHMOUD HA THE HARDEST LIFE.
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
I think the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because he comes from school and his house is getting bombed. and is trying to get out of syria. and trying to get to greece that is a long drive.And have to sleep in a abandoned mall that a boy showed them
with other refugees.his family was trying to go to a hotel that exept syrian refugees but the hotel was full.
Violet Ottawa,Canada
Violet Ottawa,Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked by the bad soldiers and one of the soldiers got shot in the head.  


Claire, Ottawa, Canada
Claire, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life because of many reasons. First of all, his house is destroyed. Also, his family and him now have to walk on foot to escape Aleppo, Syria. Mahmoud's family car has many bullet holes in it from an attack. When they stopped at a gas station they came across some soldiers. They would either say the wrong thing and die or say the right thing and live. They had a big decision to make. Luckily, the soldiers decided that they should live and even asked for a ride. Then as they were driving, they got under an attack! Their car got completely ruined with bullet holes (as I said earlier). Also, one of the soldiers got shot in the head and died! He was right beside Mahmoud too! It was very traumatic because Mahmoud could of died. Mahmoud and his sisters and brothers have to escape there only home. 
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston. isabelle is in dagert because her boat is siking.
Sasha, Room 1, Seato
 Sasha, Room 1, Seatoun School, New Zealand

I feel that Muhammad is escaping from the most difficult life. The effects there war had on his family are most extreme. For example, Waleed becomeing robotic, and Muhammad paranoid. But Joseph I’d escaping into the most gruelling life, as his father is emotional deteriorating, and that will affect him greatly.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him.

Avery ottawa canada ontario
Avery ottawa canada ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience. And he will have to dell with war  


g the most dangerous situ
 g the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their re
Geordi LaForge
Geordi LaForge
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these character are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be deing from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Jean Luke Picard
Jean Luke Picard
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Josef may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but in my opinion Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

PS Sorry, I had to make a second one, because of a huge glitch. 

Leia Ottawa Ontario Canad
 Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
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because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully 
 I think 
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because his 
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an not so normal because he has
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult dificult IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultdificult

Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmou
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
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because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully, Germany
 I think that Josef is living the hardest life because Jews were killed and tortured in concentration camps. when. they became adults.
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because he had to stay invisible because he didn't want to be seen and not be bullied. His apartment got destroyed by missiles and he got lucky to make it out alive. he went in his car to germany, he got some soldiers to help and now one of them got shot in the head and they are fighting people now.
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and they have a to patch it up with
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT. the worst part is he's pulled over by soldiers! in conclusion, i can't live like that.
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.So in the end Mahmoud to me is living the hardest life

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult journey I would pick mahmoud because he is traveling by car which is the most dangerous way to travelIthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultjourneyIwouldpickmahmoudbecauseheistravelingbycarwhichisthemostdangerouswaytotravel

Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him

Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed. Mahmoud doesn't have anywhere else to go so, he's living the most dangerous life.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. the fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violencebeacause of ther.
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.   even though he is in a more modern day war so they have phones and he can call his parents to find out where they are if they get seperated. Mahmoud is also living in when of the most divided country and warzone. it is divided between governments rebels and more.  His car was also being lit up with bullet holes and they had to take cover and jump out of the van when they were attacked. That was my opinion on who is living the worst life out of the 3 people, Joseph,Mahmoud And Isabel.
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most difficult situation( he and his family are being targeted, he is not just caught up in something. )but he has an easier journey, as he is on a giant boat, which is safer than on foot or in a very small boat. 

However, right now, Mahmoud  has the most difficult life because there are soldiers and bombs everywhere. Isabel is not in immediate danger, just starving, and on a boat.  
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo 
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him fir a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to 
Kaden OTT, O CAN
Kaden OTT, O CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get seperated.
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living the hardest life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people, and hitler is very powerful.
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living th hardest life. He is being forced to leave his country, and won’t even be himself because he’s too scared that something might happen if he does. His house was also bombed
Avery canada ottawa ontario
Avery canada ottawa ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience.  
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. I think this Because he's so afraid, that he hides his identity. To make things worse he is bombed forcing him and his family to leave the country. In the bomb all of his belongings were destroyed (except for some things) . Joseph and Isabell get a boat but Mahmoud travels by FOOT.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. josefs dad is already in a concentration camp 
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Josef the 12 year old jewish boy is living the hardest life out of the three . I think that Josef is living the hardest life because he is a jewish boy and during the WW2 (world war 2) Hitler was targeting all jewish people. His father who was a jewish man was sent to a jewish concentration camp because he was studying law and jewish people were not allowed to study law . Josefs father luckily got a chance to get out of Germany. Josef also doesn't get treated well because he is a jewish boy. The Nazis also crashed their entire house (which was later called the night of broken glass). The Nazis warned Josefs family "if they didn't leave Nazi, Germany than they would have  to pay the price."  Mahmoud is almost in the same situation, but unlike Josef Mahmoud is not a big target and nothing is stopping from leaving.
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
In my experience of the book I think that Mahmoud is having the most difficult time out of all of them because Mahmoud house was actually distroyed!!! I feel bad for all of them but I feel bad for Mahmoud the most...But at the same time I feel extremely thankful that there is no war on Canada:)
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life out three people because he saw his home get destroyed right in front of him. Also he had a very traumatic experience when he sees a man dead because he shot in the head when he was driving by a gas station. That's when people started coming with guns and started shooting. His life is always in fear. Which I think is really sad.   
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal li IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormalli
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. 
Ben, Ottawa,Canada
Ben, Ottawa,Canada 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
M4
M4
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies falling on them. This is why I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. 
Violet Ottawa, Canada
Violet Ottawa, Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked 
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
I believe that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living in the most divided country. It is divided into the Syrian government, Syrian rebels, American and UN soldiers, Daesh (ISIS) and Russian bombs. Also, Isabelle is only traveling 90 miles, even though on a leaking boat, there are other boats if theirs sinks, and Josef is on a large and safe boat. Although I do believe that the difficulty of Isabelle's and Mahmoud's life are similar in difficulty, I believe Mahmoud's is more difficult, because of the fact that his journey is longer, and more perilous. I say that because while a leaking boat is dangerous, if they sink, there will be a chance of being rescued, but if Mahmoud is shot fatally, he can't be rescued. In my opinion, Josef's life looks the most promising, because he is on the safest vessel of transportation (a large boat), is safer than a car or a leaking boat. Then again, Mahmoud's has been lit up with bullet holes. In conclusion, I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
I would say that in my oppinion is that Isabelle is living the hardsed life beacause she has basically no possesions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adlut or somting and since they rescued the Castellos son and girl friend but they have given there trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now takking on water and the don't have anything to pach it up with
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, I will support why Mahmoud is having a difficult life. Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Mahmoud has, at this moment nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot, of Turkey and Germany, because his car is shredded with bullets.
Emily Hinton,alberta
Emily Hinton,alberta
I think isabel has the hardest 
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think Mamoud is living the hardest life because his best friend died and he is living in bo
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life because she is almost starving and has really low high gene. She is running away from the police and breaking laws. she has the most difficult life because her father is a wanted man and has been put in prison once almost twice. Isabel is has no school and only knows one instrument to play.
isabel is living the hardiest life
isabel is living the hardiest life 
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life. I think that because he couldn't see his dad for six months and he has to leave in fourteen days. He also lost his Star Of David in the German section of the train.
Luke Hinton AB CVS school
Luke  Hinton AB CVS school
I think that Josef is living in a "apocolypse on earth" because 1 his father is in a concentration camp. 2 his school was a mean school. 3 he was forced to move
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
I think Isabel is living the most difficult life because here father went to prison for travelling to a different country. She doesn't have a lot of food.
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think Josef is living the hardest life. His father got put in a  concentration camp and to get out he and his family had to leave Germany in 14 days or else they would all put in a concentration camp.
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada 
I think the person that has the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers and took his dad a way and got brought to a concentration camp for six months. Mean while..his best friend also died from a bomb.
Brooke N Hinton AB
Brooke N Hinton AB
I think that all of them are living the most difficult life. Mahmoud is practically living in a world of bombs, Isabel is living in a world of hate and riots and Josef's father was taken away by Nazis to a concentration camp. So I think that all of them are living the worst life in this book. So it is really important that we realize it could be so much worse for us.


Loghan,Hinton,AB
Loghan,Hinton,AB
I think Josef had the most difficult life beacuse the germans broke into his house and toke his dad for practicing law.
Kameron Hinton Alberta
Kameron Hinton Alberta 
I think that mahmoud has the worst life because his freind got bombed by an air strike 
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
I think the person with the hardest life was Josef because his father was taken to a concentration camp well the WW || was going on
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life because,he was getting bullied at school and the only way to not get bullied was to not be seen so by doing that he lost his best friend.A few days later his friend died,now its just him and his brother. 
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef because his father was taken to custody and Josef hasn't seen his father in a year. As the year past they decided to seek refugee in Cuba and as they did they would have to wear the star of David, which means they were Jewish. when they were in Germany, Jewish people were not respected. When they were on the train Josef decided to go onto the German train. There he realized there were no differences between Jewish and German. But when he went to the concession he dropped his Star Of David and a Hitler Youth caught him but instead of revealing it to everyone he instead quietly told Josef to come with him. Now he is either going to be sent to custody or the Hitler youth might end up being good and helping him in further chapters.
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life because his father got taken away into concentration camp, when josef got caught on the train i dont think he is going to get in trouble i think the Hitler Youth is going to help him.
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada 
I think the person with the hardest life is Josef. I think he has the hardest life because he lost his friend because of Hitler. his dad was taken away by the German storm troopers and that was not fair to him and now he has to go to Cuba and he now knows that the German  people are the exact same as him and the Jewish people and its all just Hitlers fault. 
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers took his dad away and brought to a concentration camp for six whole months!! Josef also lost his best friend died in a bomb. 
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
i think the person that's living the most difficult life would be Josef because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard, and it was happening in WW ll.
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
I picked Josef for living a difficulty life, because his dad is not there with him 24/7. And his dad is probably having bad times, WWII. If Josef loses his dad that would be really hard for him. 
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin 
the person living in  the most difficult situation is Josef, because he have to escape from the Nazis, so he don't end up in the concentration camp like his father  
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person that's living the most difficult life  would be Josef, because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard , and it was happening in WWII so that was pretty bad and hard because a lot of people died. 
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person living in the most difficult situation is Josef.  I feel this way because I have read so many books and have watched so many movies that show just how terrible WWII was.   Also, his father was in a concentration camp and the entire family could also end up there one day.

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Sally & Christa Oakville, Ontario, Canada 

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Sally & Christa Oakville, Ontario, Canada 

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We think that Isabel’s situation is the worst so far. In Cuba, there is a political persecution that caused many people to leave their hometown so they don’t have to go to jail if they didn’t agree with their nation’s leader. This is a bad situation because people don’t have the right to have their own voice to speak about the government either if he is right or wrong. This is worse than Josef’s situation because in his case, he is on a ship, which is way bigger than a boat, is eating good food, and is sleeping on a proper bed. Even though Josef and his family are being tortured by the Nazis Germans on the ship and a chance of them being sent back to Germany, Isabel’s situation is still worse because there might be a chance of her, her family, and her family’s friends being tipped overboard. Escaping on a boat isn’t the best thing you would want to do but in Isabel’s case, her family and her had to leave or else her father would be sent to jail or get seriously hurt. There is a lot of risks of being on a small boat with a lot of people. For example, someone might fall of the edge of the boat just like how Señor Castillo did. Maybe there is a storm coming and pull them under the deep ocean water. Sometimes, people never reaches the pace that they had to go. Sometime, the travel may take weeks, months, or even a year. There might not be supplies (food, clean water , ...) to survive on the boat for such long trips.

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We think that Isabel has the most difficult situation to escape from Cuba because of the political persecution in Cuba. They left on the boat towards rough seas and leaving to the U.S.A. where they will have less violence in the country. They also left because Isabel’s father almost got arrested and now he is frightened of the journey ahead. This situation is worse than Josef’s story  because, in Cuba there was more violence in the country along with the persecution. This is the reason why that Isabel had to leave Cuba. This means that Isabel left on the boat to got to the United States because, in Cuba there was a lot of political persecution.

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We think that Isabel’s lifestyle was harder than Josef’s and Mahmoud’s lifestyle because Josef is in a fancy boat and he was treated very kindly by the crew members and Mahmoud’s family had iphone’s and cars. But Isabel had the most difficulties plus there may be some scary sea animals. We also think that in Cuba they had a terrible persecution and Isabel’s dad almost got arrested because he was disagreeing with the government. Isabel’s family had to leave Cuba since the people in Cuba were persecuting others, so they had to travel with Ivan’s family in a tiny boat. It was very cramped and hard to have complete control of the motor and they lost their first aid/medicine kit to. Plus Isabel’s family did not have life jackets, so they have a chance of falling into the water and drowning.

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Diya and Angelyn Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Diya and Angelyn Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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We think Mahmoud’s story is the most difficult to escape because in Syria where he lived there were wars and if he did not leave he would be killed. He would be persecuted because Bashar Hafez al-Assad was doing nothing to stop his people dying and all that he wanted was to be the most powerful. But with power that he had obtained, he was not using it for good. In other words, Mahmoud’s life would have been in serious danger. We think that him and his family made the right choice to leave Syria.

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We think Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because in Syria there is bombing. His building also got bombed by a missile. His family could have died but luckily they escaped in time. While they were escaping, their car got pistol shots by the aish. When they arrived in Turkey they had to wait one week until they went on the boat to Greece. Finally, when they did go on the boat they realized the boat was a dinghy and they slammed into a rock. Mahmoud's journey is  more difficult than Josephs because Mahmoud had to go on a dinghy while Joseph could go on an actual cruise ship.  His home country was harder than Isabel's because way why his was more difficult because his house got bombed but Isabel's family left by choice because her father could of gotten arrested and because they were food shortages.

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Carson, Emmett, Chloe, Liberty, Zander, Grace - Canada, Stayner Ontario

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Carson, Emmett, Chloe, Liberty, Zander, Grace - Canada, Stayner Ontario

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After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character with the most difficult situation is Josef because the Nazi's treated them badly. We know this because the Nazi's were throwing Josef and his family to the floor, trashing his house, slapping them, and above that, they took Josef's father. "The shadows tore down pictures, pulled drawers from their bureaus, and flung clothing everywhere. They broke lamps and light bulbs." This proves that the Nazi's treated Josef and his family badly and that Josef's situation was the worst condition to leave from. This reminds us of book, Wonder, because Auggie was treated badly when a bully named Julian slipped mean notes in his locker. This is just like how Josef was treated badly by the Nazis.

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Brianne & Emma Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Brianne & Emma Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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We think Isabel’s life is the most difficult because in her home country her dad got arrested and was threatened to get arrested again. Also her grandma past away and Isabel really misses her. She has had a very hard past and a very bad journey and life before. Isabel’s journey must have been so difficult and hard. She had to make a boat for her and the rest of her family to go on because her hometown was unsafe and her dad was getting threatened. After, she left with her family and it sounds like it was the hardest journey we have ever heard. She was almost hit by a ship, the motor of the tiny ship that held most of her family broke down, and she even went overboard with her grandfather. Meanwhile Josef’s journey is a bit better because he and on a big ship with rooms and pools. Isabel in on a little boat that can barely fits her family. Over all, we think that Isabel’s life was the hardest and most dangerous journey of all.

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After the reading several chapters of Refugee the main character with the most difficult situation is Isabel because her way of escaping is very dangerous. From the reading we know this because right when Ivan and Amuara got on the boat, it was shot by two police officers. Therefore this shows how Isabel is in the most difficult situation out of Josef and Mahmoud. This reminds me of the character Salva from the novel " A Long Walk To Water " when he had to cross the river full of crocodiles and people shooting at him. This is just like Isabel's situation.

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Seth,Ethan,Emma,Amy and Hannah from Stayner Ontario. 

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Seth,Ethan,Emma,Amy and Hannah from Stayner Ontario. 

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After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character with the most difficult situation is Isabel because she almost died on her journey. From the reading i know this because she almost drowned when  she was saving Senor Castillio; ". Isabel began to feel the rhythm of the sea, the singsong lullaby of it, and
it was easy to close her eyes, to stop kicking, to stop fighting. She was so
tired. So very, very tired";(pg.103) . Therefore this shows that Isabel has the most difficult journey. This reminds us of the character Salva in 'A Long Walk To Water' because Salva almost drowned in the river separating Ethiopia and Sudan. This is just like how Isabel almost drowned.

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1m
reggie.rylan,cape,zach and nathan
reggie.rylan,cape,zach and nathan 
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn
Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn
Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Tiffany & Haniy

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Reggie, Rylan, Cape, Zach and Nathan of Stayner Ontario

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Reggie, Rylan, Cape, Zach and Nathan of Stayner Ontario

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After reading several chapters or Refugee, we think that Isabel is living the most difficult life, because she has had a very tough time trying to leave Cuba. From the reading we know this because, Isabel is leaving in a very small boat, that should not be taking the amount of people that it is. They have faced very strong waves, their boat has been shot, and it is filled with a bunch of water; ¨They bailed water the rest of the night, taking turns dozing in the uncomfortable, crowded little boat¨ (p. 104) Therefore this shows why Isabel has had the most difficult life. This reminds us of a book, A Long Walk To Water, because in that book, a boy named Salva struggled for a long chapter of his life, because of a war, that left him separated from him family. This is just like how Isabel´s life has been effected, from a war.

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Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn - Stayner, Ontario, Canada

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Holden, Corey, Cameron, Presley, Kaitlyn - Stayner, Ontario, Canada

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After reading several chapters of Refugee, the character we think has most difficult situation is Isabel because she is on a homemade boat in the middle of the Atlantic ocean without a working motor or medical supplies and a storm is coming. "' What is it?' Ivan said sleepily. 'Another tanker?' 'No. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning,' Lito said, looking up into to the red-tinged clouds. 'A storm is coming.'" (pg. 140). This is one of the reasons how Isabel has the most difficult situation. This reminds us of the novel "A Long Walk To Water when Salva and his group had to make homemade boats to cross the Nile. This is just like how Isabel is in a very dangerous situation crossing the ocean on a homemade boat.

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Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Tiffany & Haniya, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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We think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult situation because his home was being bombed on and there were wars going on in Syria at that time. Also, when his family arrived in Turkey they had to wait for a long time and when the boat finally arrived, it was an inflatable raft. They also had to travel with thirty different families but the boat was only the size for about a dozen people. Mahmoud felt tired, the expensive price of the smuggler didn’t help much. On the boat, it was so dark, that they couldn’t see anything. They didn't know where to go or if they are even getting to closer to Greece. “Mahmoud can’t see land anymore.” He is scared, “ he could die here in the middle of the ocean and know would know that he was gone.” For this reason we think that he is in the most difficult situation because he and his family are in the middle of nowhere right now, and they are not sure where to go.

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I think Josef leads the most difficult life because he has seen horrible things. His dad is crazy because at concentration camps
they will whip jews and gas jews and shoot jews just because they want to. His dad has seen horribble things. I cannot blame him for acting like a lunatic.

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Hi Im Gavin and im in 5th grade i Think josef has the hardest life because he had to race ships to cuba his dad was crazy and he has to wait one day o get into Cuba

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Hi! I am Morgan. And I am from Illinois.
I think Isabelle has the hardest life Because her boat has bullet holes and is facing a tanker. And, Senior Castillo fell of the tiny boat.🛥️

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I think that Isabel has the worst story because shes got shot at and there boat can sink at any moment or any harmful sea creatures can hurt them and there is a bigger oil boat

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Sadie Illinois  I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water .

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Sadie Illinois  I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water .

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Andrew K Illinois
Andrew K Illinois
I think that Isabel is 
Payton, IL
Payton, IL
Hi! I am Payton. Am I am from Illinois.


I think Isa
Sadie Illinois
Sadie Illinois  
I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water . 
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Hi my name is Aleyna and I am in the 6th grade. I think the character with the most difficult life is Mahmoud, because his friend died in a airstrike, his car got shot up, and a soli
Hailey Ilinois
Hailey Ilinois
I think Mahmoud is having the hardest time escaping because, first of all the smugglers keep saying they have a boat ready but they don't, also Mahmoud and his family were kicked out of the building they were staying in and have no shelter now.

Gavin Illinois
Gavin Illinois
I think Josef has the hardest life because he had to race two other ships to Cuba and his dad was acting crazy and he has to wait another day to get into Cuba 
Hayden Illnois
Hayden Illnois
I think Isabel has the wost life because she is in a tiny boat and a big tanker boat is by them.Most of the people either fell off or jumped in and Senior Castillo is drowning
Gina Illinois
Gina   Illinois
I believe that Josef has it hard because his dad is getting depression and is going crazy. 🤪 Also, the "doctor" was really a Nazi in disguise trying to single out ANYone that even flinched and kick them out of the boat.🛥️ And when Josef's family passed the test, they had to wait longer to get on the boat! They wrere very releved that they got to get on the boat.
😌
😌
Adam Illinois
Adam Illinois 
I think Isabel is having the most difficult situation first of all she just jump in the water. Second 
the motor doesn't really work. Third    
There is a bullit hole in the the boat 







Josef

Atlantic ocean 

Am so mad right now because
they are making them wait 
longer they have been on that 
boat for about five days.  They have been on that boat long enough.
shelby illnois
shelby illnois 
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Charlie,Batavia,IL
Hi my name is Charlie and i'm in 5th grade we have learned
Emma, Franksville, WI
Emma, Franksville, WI
Hi, my name is Emma, and I am in eighth grade, from Drought school. So far, we have learned that Isabel, is wanting to go to the U.S, to escape from their home country in Cuba because of war. Josef is escaping from Hitler, because he's a jew, during World War II, and trying to get to Cuba. Mahmoud is trying to leave Syria, where bombs are being blown up right next to him. His family has decided that they would all go to Germany to escape the war. In my opinion, Mahmoud is facing the most difficult situation. Before they were fleeing to Turkey to be safe, until they leave for Germany. His parent's got a call from the smuggler. They were all super excited, until they saw what they would be leaving in. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in a dingy, is what they had to go in. They went aboard, and in the middle of the sea, there was a storm, and they dingy hit a rock, flipped over, and are stranded in the middle of the sea. All the families were slowly separating, and Mahmoud was trying to keep his family safe, until they saw a boat up ahead in the distance.  Sadly, the boad did not slow down, so Mahmoud and his mom cling to it, and then there were harsh waves, and his dad, and brother were gone. His mom was having trouble keeping Hannah safe, so they had to give her away to a complete stranger. To me, that would be a terrible life, I could never my life being like that.
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Isabel is escaping the most difficult situation because in Cuba her father would be put in jail if they didn’t leave. Also she is in a boat in the middle of the sea and it is filling up with sea water and has a very high chance of tipping but they are in the middle of the ocean so they have to stay in the boat or else they will drown. Also Isabel’s family lost their first aid kit so they have no medicine or matches and there might be sharks in the sea.

Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada
We think that Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because his apartment was bombed and he was almost KILLED. We also think that Mahmoud had the most trouble in his past because his hometown got invaded by isis. I think that Mahmouds story is way worse than Isabel's because he was forced to leave his country and to never go back because of bombing but Isabel chose to leave because her family and her didn’t like there president and there were riots and they didn't have enough food.
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
 Isabel is trying to stay safe and is escaping famine. I think Isabel has the hardest story because before when she was living in Cuba they did not have enough food. Isabel could  also get caught for escaping Cuba at any moment in time.  When Isabel got on the boat there were lots of people. Another reason is that Isabel had to escape Cuba is because at the time  it wasn't very safe and Isabel’s father has been to jail two times before, so isabel and her family were worried that he was going to go back to jail. On the boat it was  filling up with water and Senor Castillo was drowning and Isabel saved him. Also they could have been hit by a ship which would have been a catastrophe. That’s why I think Isabel has the hardest part.
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Katie, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi my name is Katie and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now. I think this because in Syria there are bombs and they cannot express their opinions and they are not safe. They could get hurt or they could get sent to jail for their religion. Where we are in the book, he is in a tiny little rubber dingy that just went over a rock. In the dingy they are packed in very tightly and the smugglers just sent them off and aren’t even in the boat. All they have is their phones and chargers and they don’t have any money. They are totally lost in the middle of the ocean. I think Mahmoud's situation is more difficult than Isabel's because at least Isabel has food and has some space on her boat and is not as lost as Mahmoud.
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Emily-Oakville Ontario, Canada
Hi, I'm Emily and I think Josef has the most difficult life since his dad has gone mad and maybe the nazis are going after the jews. I think this is a more difficult journey than Mahmoud’s and Isabel’s story because Josef might be in a race with other boats and not be able to make it to Cuba. 

Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada
Laura, Oakville Ontario Canada

Hi I am Laura and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now because he has been through a lot. In Syria there are bombs and guns and it was not safe to be there. In Syria they could not express their opinion or else they would get in trouble by the government. He is now on a little boat in the middle of the sea with many other refugees. They are trying to make it to Germany. The waves are crashing and they are cold, wet and tired. They don’t have much everything they own is in their pockets. Now they are on a boat lost in the middle of the ocean not knowing what is coming next.
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada
DJ- Oakville, Ontario, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is escaping the most difficult situation because he lost his home due to the war, and more specifically a missile. His whole family was put in danger after their home was destroyed. This is a more difficult situation than Isabel’s situation because Mahmoud had no choice but to leave his home, Isabel had a choice to leave her home. Mahmoud fled his country in search of safety and a new home. In Turkey, they were asking his family for too much money to pay for rent, and for the boat taking them to Europe. After all, his family left/lost most of their belongings in their home in Syria. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio. 
 6 grade from Orchard STEAM school. 

 My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is going through a difficult live his house got missal his mom is pregnant 🤰 they are in Turkey 🇹🇷 and Mahmoud’s dad is scared 😱 but he dose not want his family to know so he is makeing jokes.They are trying to get a dry spot and they went to a hotel but it is full so they can not stay in one hotel.
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Adison, Grade 7, Moose Jaw Saskatwan,
Carter Franksville WI
Carter Franksville WI
Hello my name is Carter, and I am in eighth grade and go to Drought School
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Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
 qHi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade. I think the character eith the most difficult life is Machmoud  
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Abdi.o Cleveland oh
Hi I am. A 6th garder in Cleveland Ohio I go to orchard S.T.E.M school I like this because it is. Very diverse in.3  cultures  Jewish,Islam and Hispanic .my  favorite person inside the book is Mahmoud because I know the most about the  Disaster happening there,the second reason why is because he has the hardest and   Interesting  Life 
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio
Ale’yna Clevland, Ohio 
Hi my name is Aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i think 
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio
Jandaniel from Cleveland, Ohio 
 I think that Josef has the most hardest life because they are trying to escape 
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Hi my name is Enrique And im in 6th grade and the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because his house was missing a wall and missils dropping in Seria every day. and has to live his country that he was born and raised in. and then have to go to Greece, but stopped in tukey. And his story is going to be the saddest in my opinion. they have no were to stay inTurkey. Mahmoud’s dad said they cant stay in the camp. A boy showed them shelter, but it wasn’t free.
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio
Emonie Cleveland ,Ohio 
Hi my name is Emonie i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio my favorite character in Refugee is Josef becausn i feel really bad for him and his family. Because they been through alot because his dad had to go to a concentration camp and he was 

Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Mysha, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Hi, my name is Mysha, this was a very difficult choice for me, but I think have settled on a person. I think Mahmoud is living a very hard and difficult life. In the beginning of the book, his apartment got blown up by a missile. This was very unfortunate because it took him out of a place to live. This happened because, there was a war going on in Syria at the time. Later in the book, he had to walk miles to the Turkish airport, and they would only let them in if they answered one question correctly and that was, “Who are we against”? If they didn’t answer the question right, they would get shot. Luckily Waleed answered and said “We are against who ever is bombing us”. He saved the day, even though he didn’t realize it. After they got to Turkey, they already booked a boat to Greece. They called a hotel to ask if they could stay there, while they waited for the boat. The hotel said they were fully booked which again, his family didn’t have a place to live. They looked for a place to live and came across a boy, who helped them find a mall to live in but the boy was expecting a lot of Syrian money in return. His dad gave him the money because, he didn’t want his family to be roaming around the entire night, looking for a place to live. The next day, they went to the smuggler and asked where the boat was, and he said it was going to be there tomorrow. This had been going on since 11 days. If I was in this situation, I would definitely be crying and wishing to go back to Syria, even if there was a war there. That night, when they went back to the mall, there were two people saying they needed to pay rent to go inside. Mahmoud’s dad didn’t know if they had enough money to do that and then paying for the boat, so they rejected. Fortunately, this old man helped them. They got a message the boat was there for the 12th time so nobody had much hope. When they got there, the boat was actually there! Now we are on the part where they got on the boat. This is just my opinion, what is yours?  
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin
Hailey Franksville, Wisconsin 
Hello my name is Hailey and I am in seventh  grade at Drought School. I would say Mohmoud is in the worst situation. First of all Mohmoud is stranded in sea with his family.
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland,Ohio
  Who do you think is living the most difficult life? I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because in Aleppo there are bombs consently dropping. When they was leaving Syria they met soldiers who had automatic guns. Not only that when they were traveling with the soldiers Mahmoud saw them get shot and die, which would be scary. When they arrived in Turkey they had no extra clothes and were getting smuggled out of the country. It would be super risky and bad things could happen. They have no where to sleep because the hotel was full. When they were going to sleep in the park it was full too. Then the family followed some random kid through a sketchy ally way.
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
Damarion, Cleveland, Ohio,
I think Josef has a difficult life because he has to leave Germany to go to Cuba. Everyone on the boat is nice now, but I think they might kill them or take them to jail. 
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Austin Franksville, Wisconsin
Hello my name is Austin and I'm in the 7th grade at Drought School. In my opinion the character who has it worse is Joseph because he is on a ship harbored in Cuba but isn't let in. If he is't let in then he'll be forced to go back to Germany. Where he will be put in a concentration camp because he is technically a man. Also if he gets sent back he can and will die because the Nazis are ruthless and want Jews to die. To make it even worse his father dove into the ocean and flailed his arms to attract sharks but got saved. Though he tried to escape the policeman who saved him. Now he just thinking now we'll never make it into Cuba.There is nothing worse than having to be sent back home to his doom.
Ava, Franksville, WI
Ava, Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Ava I'm from the seventh grade at Drought School. I would say the character living the hardest life would be Mahmoud. Mahmoud is trying to survive in the middle if the Mediterranean Sea with crashing waves and hard rain. Mahmoud had to give his sister to a stranger that no one in his family knew. Now that Hannah, Mahmoud's sister is gone he has to try and keep his mom from drowning. In the distance Mahmoud found a life jacket, a real one! He was given one but it was fake. now Mamoud has to survive the night in the water.  
Seth-Franksville, WI
Seth-Franksville, WI
Hello, my name is Seth, and I am part of eighth grade at Drought school. I believe Mohmoud has the worst situation. First of all,  Mohmoud has been stranded at sea, and his father and brother are somewhere else. Also Mohmouds mother had to give Hannah away to stay alive.

Hopking - Racine, WI
Hopking - Racine, WI
Hello, I am representing Drought school's 8th grade. I would say the person in the worst situation in the book, Refugee, so far would have to be Mahmoud. The last we heard form him was him trying to survive against the crashing waves. Mahmoud is in the middle of sea, lost his father and brother, and gave his sister to  complete stranger. His sister was given to another person because it was the last choice. It was either Mahmoud's mother or his sister since Mahmoud can't keep them up for that long.
Elena - Franksville, WI
Elena - Franksville, WI
Hello! My name is Elena, and I am proud to be a part of the eight grade class at Drought School. First, let me say how intriguing the stories of these three unique individuals are. Josef is a Jewish boy living in the 1930s of Germany. After a visit from the Nazis, he and his family are forced to leave their home at once, and board a ship for Cuba. Isabel is a Cuban girl growing up in the 1990s. Her family is leaving their home as well, but for America, and in a little homemade raft. Mahmoud is Syrian, and in the commotion of bombs and destruction in 2015. He and his family left Syria, hoping to reach Greece to become refugees.
 Out of all these stories, however, I would say Mahmoud's unfortunate tale is the most disturbing. This young boy is the eldest of his siblings, Waleed and Hannah. Hannah is only a baby, helpless and unsafe. Mahmoud and his family flee to Turkey because none of them are safe in Syria when their apartment is blasted to bits. Then, they cannot find shelter in Turkey, but thankfully find an old mall to sleep in for a week. But they are kicked out and once more have to walk in the cold, sore and tired. Then the smuggler Mahmoud's father hired days ago told them a ship was waiting for them, which was good news they desperately needed. On the dingy out on sea, the family and other passengers are flipped over during a storm and nearly drown. Thankfully, there is another dingy which passes by, but doesn't stop. Mahmoud, his mother, and baby sister cling onto the boat, but only Hannah is able to stay. Now, Mahmoud and his mother are stranded in the sea, his father and brother are stranded in an entire other location, and his sister is gone. I cannot think of anything more difficult can this. 
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha, 
I. Am from Cleveland Ohio.Orchard  STEM school.

My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because he is though alot  of things like his house got missal and he got sacred because his mom was inside the house but his mom was trying to get the things that she could.They were at Turky 
I lfigcsd
 I lfigcsd
Felix Cleveland,ohio
Felix Cleveland,ohio
I think is Josef because try to go away from the fight in Germany.
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin
Myia,Racine,Wisconsin 
Hello! My name is Myia, and I am representing Drought school. I really love this story but I think  Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living the hardest life because he had to give up his little sister to people they didn't even know. If I had a sister and had to give her up to someone I didn't know would be the hardest thing to do. Also, Mahmoud is in the middle of the Mediterranean sea in a horrible storm. He just saw the guy he was sitting next to floating dead in the sea. The guy had a real life preserver on so Mahmoud took it off to use it. I wish Mahmoud and the other chareters were living a better life. 
Micheal Struck Jr. 7th Grade
Micheal Struck Jr.     7th Grade
Hi I'm Micheal and I'm from Drought school which is in Franksville, Wisconsin and, I'm in 7th grade. I believe that Mahmoud is in the worst situation because, he is stuck at sea with only his mom to care for him. Yet, he isn't even just stuck at sea, hes stuck in the sea! Mahmoud also lost his father, baby sister, and brother. I can imagine him going into some hard ships because of this. Mahmoud was also being rushed for so long and he hurried all for this. That could make a big impact on him and make him feel stupid. Also, before all this Mahmoud had to deal with his house being blown to bits, a person dieing on his lap, leaving a caring man, having a life without being terrified, and even getting fake life vest! Although, that might not be all it is a lot of reasons.That was why I choose that Mahmoud is  in the hardest situation. 

Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio
Layloni,Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is Layloni. I am from Cleveland Ohio. Refugee is a good book. I love Refugee because of Mahmoud. Mahmoud is my favorite in the book so far because his story is interesting. It is interesting because his story is the saddest in the book so far. It is sad because his house got destroyed and he almost died by a Misel. He also seen a soldier die. They did not h e no cloths or a place to sleep. That is why I like Mahmoud the best out of all the stories


Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio
Ale’yna Cleveland,Ohio 
Hi my name is aleyna and i am in the 6th grade.i
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
Camara Cleveland,Ohio
The character I think is having the most difficult life is Josef. I say that because when Hitler took over Germany Hitlers natzi crew made called Kristallnacht and they called it kristallnacht because they hated Jews so much they destroyed everything like Jewish houses,jobs,and synagogues and that was a terrible night for all the Jews because he hated Jews and about 91-100 Jews died that night. Hitlers crew was heartless when it came to Jews and I feel very bad they have to go through that.
Charles, Cleveland Ohio
Charles, Cleveland Ohio 
In my opinion, the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car.That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence where as Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that where everybody’s being nice to him and his family.They’re not use to that because the Nazis didnt like Jews back then.Mahmoud dad has smuggler taking them to greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandon mall.
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think that Josef is living the most difficult life because since he is Jewish he is treated terribly he has to walk around with an armband on, he’s not allowed to go to restaurants or movie theaters. When his dad gets realeased from the concentration camp his family gets a telegram and they get on a train to meet his father. Josef wonders how he’d be treated if people didn’t know he was Jewish. He stuffed his armband in his pocket and left the train car labeled “Jewish”. He got Ruth a piece of candy but when he was getting the money from his pocket the armband fell out. He tried to grab it but a Hitler Youth stepped on it before he could grab it. Josef was terrified. He thought his family was going to have to leave the train. When the Hitler Youth brung Josef back th the Jewish train car he was so happy. The Hitler Youth spotted the piece of candy Josef bought for Ruth. He took it and left. When Josef got to the ship where they were meeting his dad at, his dad was so terrified. He had been in a concentration camp for 6 months. That’s half of a year! When they finally got on the ship everyone was nice to them. Even though the people working on the ship were not Jewish they still where very nice. Josef’s dad thought that it was a trick. The day of Josef’s bar mitzvah his dad didn’t even come. After the party was over Josef saw 2 girls locking all of the stalls in the woman’s restroom. He went to tell 2 people working on the boat and he overheard them saying that there were 2 other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until Josef heard this news now he is really afraid again.
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
Nick,Cleveland Ohio
I think Mahmoud has the hardest life. He saw someone die right next to him and he was in the car when that happened. Mahmoud has a really hard life and he’s not even 16.
He has goes through allot and there’s was nothing he could have done.
3 Characters, 3 Stories:
 3 Characters, 3 Stories: Who is Living the Most Difficult Life?
Greetings from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA! Our class would love for you to answer the following question: WHO DO
Hi my name is Tanysh
 Hi my name is Tanysha,
I am from Cleveland Ohio.          My favorite chapter is Mahmoud because his family is in Turkey and they don’t have nowhere to go and his mom is pregnant and his dad is scared so he was making jokes so his family dont be scared.
Titus Cleveland,ohio
Titus Cleveland,ohio
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life because his own home has been destroyed. He got bullied for standing up for his friend and then they stopped  hanging out with each other and if that wasn’t bad enough his friend died from a bomb dropping. And he saw a soilder die in front of him with a bullet hole in his head and his dad’s car broke down so him and his family had to walk on foot. I couldn’t imagine having a life like that without being terrified everyday. These are my reasons why Mahmoud’s life is the hardest out of all the characters in Refugee.
David Aberdeen
David Aberdeen 
isabele cant really go no where because she is on a crowded boat in the middle of an ocean.  She can get shot in the head because thier are people on the boat castro wants to kill. The boat can sink.the girl had a rough life because she had not much food and the boat is linking and it would probably sink.

I think Joseph got a
 I think Joseph got a different
David Aberdeen Wa
David Aberdeen Wa
Isabel had the most difficult life because
Emonie Cleveland, OH
Emonie Cleveland, OH 
Hi my name is Emonie and i am a 6th grader in Cleveland Ohio and my favorite Character is Josef because his life is hard because hes a jew and and his leader hate Jews. 

Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
Juliangelys,Cleveland,Ohio
The character that is living the most
difficult life is Josef because his father is 
mysterious 
Isabell bad horrible
 Isabell bad horrible life
Precious, Cleveland
 Precious, Cleveland Ohio

I think Isabel because a big tanker came!!!
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio
Layloni , Cleveland , Ohio 
I think the person with the most difficult life is Mahmoud. because he has no were to stay and he is trying to stay alive.
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
Layloni, Cleveland, Ohio
I think the character with the most difficult life is 
Charles cleveland ohio
Charles cleveland ohio
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is mahmoud because he has to escape by car that means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody’s being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn’t like jews back then. But everybody on the boat was a jew.mahmoud has already  com across for soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by  by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely
Genesis Cleveland, OH
Genesis Cleveland, OH
The one that’s living the most difficult life WAS Josef because of when he was in Germany but now he MIGHT go to Cuba. NOW Mahmoud is living a diffcult life because his dad has a smuggler taking them to Greece but his family doesn’t know if they are going to get scammed and they went to abandoned mall that people are using them as apartments and is a moldy place that’s in bad conditions for a unborn baby.
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio
Aleyna Clevland, Ohio 

I think the character with the most difficult life is Josef.he has to deal with his dad going to a concentration camp, and when hitter told the Jewish people that they could escape to Cuba Josef and his little sister Ruth,were terrified of the way he was acting and looking.
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Cynsear Cleveland, Ohio
Who do you think is trying to escape the most difficult situation? In my opinion, I think it’s Mahmoud. Why? It is super dangerous in Syria, there are  constantly bombs dropping. Also they were traveling by car! They could get shot or something worse. Then, when they get in Turkey they plan on getting smuggled into another country, because of that they have to pay the smuggler alot of money so now they have very little money to eat. So now they have to sleep outside. Also they have no extra clothes so they stink.
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio
Abdi Cleveland, Ohio 
I think the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over. When Josef was sleeping the nazi’s came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took Josef’s dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef’s mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp they. They told Josef’s mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but, it looked nothing like the man that they knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and his beard was shaved off and he was very paranoid. When they got on the boat the father was not trusting the crew members he thinks that it’s a trick. And now they are on their way to Cuba.

Jandaniel
 Jandaniel
Abdi’O
Abdi’O
Cleveland Ohio I think Mahmoud has the hardiest life .the reasons why I think Mahmoud has the most hardest life out of all them is because he have to with barrel bombed on a daily basis and the second reason why is his whole city is bombed and there is place to buy things to survive and also doesn’t have he have go to turkey on foot they not even to there destination with is Germany 
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
Corina, Cleveland, Ohio
I think Josef is living the most difficult life because he is Jewish and back then Hitler was in charge and he hated Jews. Josef and his family were on a ship to Cuba and he had his bar mitzvah on the ship. He saw two little girls locking all the bathroom stalls in the woman’s restroom and he went to tell two people working on the ship and overheard them talking about two other boats going to Cuba and if they didn’t get there first Cuba might not take them in. Everything was good until he heard this news and now he’s really scared.
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio
Tyrese Cleveland Ohio 
I think  the character that the most difficult life is Josef because he was living when the most ruthless person Adolf Hitler was taking over.when josef was sleeping the nazi came and invaded every Jew and on that night they took josef dad and they took him to a concentration camp and Josef  Mother went from nazi to nazi to find out where they took her husband. They finally found out that they took him to camp Dachou now they are trying to find out how to get him out of the concentration camp. They told josef mother that her husband was waiting for them at the ship so they went on a train to go to the ship. When they arrived they saw their father but,it looked like the man knew and loved they saw that he was skinny and hid beard was shaved off and was very paranoid. When they got on the boats there Father was not on the boat.
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
I think the character with he most difficult life is Mahmoud. He comes home from school and is apartment building is getting bombed. His van is getting bombed. we don't know if he is ever getting out of his country. he probably saw some stuff in the van that we will never see . He probably has to walk on foot now. But he is still lucky because he has his family but joseph thought that might of lost his dad. they also have money which they are pretty lucky. 


SO I THINK THAT MAHMOUD HA THE HARDEST LIFE.
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
Enrique Cleveland, Ohio
I think the person who is living the most difficult life is Mahmoud because he comes from school and his house is getting bombed. and is trying to get out of syria. and trying to get to greece that is a long drive.And have to sleep in a abandoned mall that a boy showed them
with other refugees.his family was trying to go to a hotel that exept syrian refugees but the hotel was full.
Violet Ottawa,Canada
Violet Ottawa,Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked by the bad soldiers and one of the soldiers got shot in the head.  


Claire, Ottawa, Canada
Claire, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life because of many reasons. First of all, his house is destroyed. Also, his family and him now have to walk on foot to escape Aleppo, Syria. Mahmoud's family car has many bullet holes in it from an attack. When they stopped at a gas station they came across some soldiers. They would either say the wrong thing and die or say the right thing and live. They had a big decision to make. Luckily, the soldiers decided that they should live and even asked for a ride. Then as they were driving, they got under an attack! Their car got completely ruined with bullet holes (as I said earlier). Also, one of the soldiers got shot in the head and died! He was right beside Mahmoud too! It was very traumatic because Mahmoud could of died. Mahmoud and his sisters and brothers have to escape there only home. 
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston. isabelle is in dagert because her boat is siking.
Sasha, Room 1, Seato
 Sasha, Room 1, Seatoun School, New Zealand

I feel that Muhammad is escaping from the most difficult life. The effects there war had on his family are most extreme. For example, Waleed becomeing robotic, and Muhammad paranoid. But Joseph I’d escaping into the most gruelling life, as his father is emotional deteriorating, and that will affect him greatly.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him.

Avery ottawa canada ontario
Avery ottawa canada ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience. And he will have to dell with war  


g the most dangerous situ
 g the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their re
Geordi LaForge
Geordi LaForge
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these character are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be deing from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Jean Luke Picard
Jean Luke Picard
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Josef may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but in my opinion Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

PS Sorry, I had to make a second one, because of a huge glitch. 

Leia Ottawa Ontario Canad
 Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. The fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violence because of their religion) but Isabelle is living the hardest life	. 

Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
undefined
because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth, milky way
Anna,class 10, grade 6, terry fox, orleans ,ottawa, ontario, canada, north america, earth,  milky way
(sorry there are three me's
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully 
 I think 
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because his 
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an not so normal because he has
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult dificult IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultdificult

Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmou
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontar
 Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna,orleans,ottawa,ontario,canada,north america(Sorry there are three me’s )
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
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because his car is shred
  because his car is shredded with bullets.
Natha
Natha
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot because his car is shredded with bullets to get into Turkey and later, hopefully, 
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Angus, Ottawa, anada
Angus, Ottawa, anada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and the don't have anything to patch it up with

But on the other hand mahmoud is living an
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT.
ISABELLE
ISABELLE
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed

Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
Grayson Ottawa ontaio canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud is my answer to this queston.
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. In conclusion  

Kaden OTT, ONT,
Kaden OTT, ONT, 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing
Natha
Natha
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
Ben, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada 
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Second, Mahmoud has nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas Third Mahmoud has to go on foot through wore tor areas because his car is shredded with bullets. He will hopefully get from syria to Turkey then, hopefully, Germany
 I think that Josef is living the hardest life because Jews were killed and tortured in concentration camps. when. they became adults.
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
Angus, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living a very hard life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people. Now he is in a big and safe boet he is not living the hardest life. I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life, because he had to stay invisible because he didn't want to be seen and not be bullied. His apartment got destroyed by missiles and he got lucky to make it out alive. he went in his car to germany, he got some soldiers to help and now one of them got shot in the head and they are fighting people now.
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Evyn-Ottawa,Ontario, Canada
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing and he is living this home country, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him for a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to. So I can't really chose but I would say Mahmoud.
COLLIN OTT CAN
COLLIN OTT CAN
I would say that in my opinion is that Isabella is living the hardest life because she has basically no possessions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adult or something and since they rescued the Costello's son and girl friend but they have given their trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now taking on water and they have a to patch it up with
sam ottawa
sam ottawa
i think mahmoud is living the most difficult life. i think this because he is soooo afraid he hides his identity. his house was bombed and destroyed. isabell and josef gets to travel by boat, but mahmoud has to travel by FOOT. the worst part is he's pulled over by soldiers! in conclusion, i can't live like that.
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
ISABELLE,OTTAWA,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died.So in the end Mahmoud to me is living the hardest life

Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nathan, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal life until his house get destroyed.But if I was considering who had the most difficult journey I would pick mahmoud because he is traveling by car which is the most dangerous way to travelIthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormallifeuntilhishousegetdestroyed.ButifIwasconsideringwhohadthemostdifficultjourneyIwouldpickmahmoudbecauseheistravelingbycarwhichisthemostdangerouswaytotravel

Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. I think that Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him because of his broken car, he could get caught in the crossfire of gunfire and war. But I also think that Josef and his family had the hardest life back at home because he is a jew and his entire family would have all been in concentration camps once Josef and Ruthy were fully grown. In conclusion Josef was living the hardest life back at home and Mahmoud has the hardest life ahead of him

Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
Kaden OTT, ONT, CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get shot or bombed. Mahmoud doesn't have anywhere else to go so, he's living the most dangerous life.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
(Sorry there are two me’s )
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. All of these cahaeacter are escaping almost certain death so we should just compare pain.Josef's dad is already in a concentration camp and from looking at the way he acts it seems like it was a very horrific experience. Another thing to add is that Josef would know that his father would be going through the same . I’m not going to compare ages because I forgot them so I’m just going to assume there all the same age. Isabel would be dieting from starvation now I don’t know myself but I assume it would be very painful and I don't wanna wright about this anymore so... I chose..... Uh .... Josef.. yeah.
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Kaitlynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
I honestly think that Mahmoud is in the most difficult to escape situation. I mean, his home was bombed twice, he had to leave to Turkey on foot, and he has a little sister named Hanna that is barely 12 months! So I feel that Mahmoud is having the hardest time right now. And his brother Whalid is also probably not too happy, either. Also,   they lost all of their belongings but the phones and chargers when their car and the soldiers were attacked by the ISIS and soldiers for Uhssad. When his house was bombed, his brother was by the ledge the TV had fallen off of. Plus, everywhere that they can go, there would be guns. Lots of guns. Even more dangerous is the fact that his father had gotten a smuggler to take them into Germany. 
cody,moose jaw sk.
cody,moose jaw sk.
i think josef to.

payton, moose jaw SK, canada
payton, moose jaw SK, canada 
i think josef is in a more difficult situation   
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Marc, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living a hard life because he was being shot at and that is a scary situation.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Kyra, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Mahmoud is living the worst life because they got people everywhere they go will guns. They also got random people with guns hopping in their vehicle and they don't know who to trust. They had to abandon their vehicle and their home and had just their lives, phones, and phone chargers.
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
kayde,Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,anada
i think isabel is living the most difficult life because she is living with not to much food and water and has to go from Cuba to America with a lot of people and there is a hole in the boat.
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Emma, Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada 
I think Mahmoud is living the worst life because they are getting bombed and they get shot at 
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
Avery, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef is trying to escape the most difficult situation because I know for a fact that being threatened and afraid because of my religion 24/7 would not be to my tasting. And, to see my best friend, for example join a group of bullies to beat me up, but its much worse than that. Imagine having almost your whole country against you. Thats' why I think Josef is escaping from the worst. (PS. Mahmoud was my second choice.)
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
Faith, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,Canada
I think Mahmoud is living the most dangerous life.
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
Aiden Moose Jaw SK Canada
I think Josef is in the most difficult situation because he is going through the most dangerous situations and it is really hard to escape germany.
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK
Gabe, canada moosejaw SK 
I think that josef is having the most difficult life because him and his family have to deal with the nazis. and are outcast because him and his family are jewish and they get treated like trash. 
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cole, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I think that Josef has it the worst because he has to deal with the nazis and concentration camps and doesn't even know if he will be accepted in to cuba.
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
Helana, saskatchewan, canada
well i feel that it is mahmoud who is having an quite hard time, seeing the equivalent of things he has went through. he has witnessed deaths, bombings, and beatings. he has seen explosions even in his own home. i can imagine what horrible things he went through on his way to Turkey, it gives me goosebumps, but, not really (  ;)  ) 

but i do feel really sorry. he LIVED in a WAR TORN COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

sara moose jaw saskatoon canada
sara moose jaw saskatoon canada  
i feel josef is living the hardest life because its not his fault that he is jewish he is being verbally and mentally abused by germans. but i feel he is in the safest situation so far because he is in a big boat and not walking or in a very small boat with a hole
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Luke, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Josef is living the hardest life right now because the Nazis broke a bunch of stuff in there house. His Dad got took to a concentration camp, Now Josef is on a boat trying to get away from Germany and has to leave all his friends and if he would ave got caught he would of had to go to a concentration camp to. 
cody.
cody.
cody,moose jaw saskatchewan,canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada
taylor, Moose Jaw, saskatchewan, canada 
i think mahmoud has the most difficult life because he is living in a war-torn country that has been torn apart because some people think they need to be a leader of a country. mahmoud has been shot at and i can't even think of how that would feel. i would just want to get out of there. i would want to get back at them. 
mahmoud has to run out of the country he has lived in for years. his family has been living in a bombing that blew up his home. but the most gruesome thing is that he has to survive seeing many people die, even if its his family. some people had to bare the feeling of seeing their family die quickly and try to survive more deaths. i think it would be hard to trust people. 
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada
Lexi, moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, canada 
I think mahmoud is living the most difficult life because his house got blown up and josef lost his family and friends to a bomb!
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
Savanna, Moose Jaw, Canada
I think... i can't really choose between any of them because they are all living very very very difficult lives... it would be like me saying... oh, Joseph's running from hitler, i feel sorry for him... but not as sorry for Isabelle. They are all children facing dangers that are very bad... they could all get killed in any of those situations
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Brynn, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life  because he was bullied at school and has no friends because his best friend died. His house was bombed, and there is bombs everywhere. Also soldiers were attacking them and now they have to walk by foot.
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ciara, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think Mahmoud is having the most difficult situation to get out of because his house/apartment was blown up and his car was attacked. He lost everything he owned and is trying to survive with the little he has.  
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
josh moose jaw saskatchewan canada i think mahmoud is living the hard live beacause his country is war torn and bombs are being dropped all the time and then he has to be on his toes all the time and he got shot at.
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada
payton, ,moose jaw sk, canada 
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kailer, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I think mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because he has to get out of his country but has no vehicle and has to out run gun fire. 
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
Zach, moose jaw saskatchewan
i think mahmoud is because his country is in war and his house got blown and they were stopped bye soldiers and they got in. and there being shot at and on died and it would be scary
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada
Micaela moose jaw saskatchewan canada 
Moose jaw Saskatchewan Canada 
Mahmoud because he almost lost his family to the bomb. he has to be very careful of guns shot, bombs, and more. like those bombs that had metal and nails  in them. i would really hate that team. it had to be very hard on all those people. why does war always have to start.  
I think that Mahmoud is l
 I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Leia Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life. I think that for 5 reasons. She has gone through food rationing. Food rationing, is basically only giving someone enough food to keep them alive. That makes her much weaker, and lowers her chance of escaping. Also, Her father is being targeted. the fact that her father is being targeted, made it harder to escape, because the police are more likely to shoot. She also  has to escape by boat. It is much harder to escape by boat because, you could sink, and there is more chance of being found "wet foot". Meaning you have to live in a refugee camp. Her boat is already leaking, because of the "deserters" on board. Even though Castro is letting people leave, that does not make it any easier. There is still the possibility, of being shot at or sinking. Joseph may be escaping the most dangerous situation, (his family is being targeted with brutal violencebeacause of ther.
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Cory,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.   even though he is in a more modern day war so they have phones and he can call his parents to find out where they are if they get seperated. Mahmoud is also living in when of the most divided country and warzone. it is divided between governments rebels and more.  His car was also being lit up with bullet holes and they had to take cover and jump out of the van when they were attacked. That was my opinion on who is living the worst life out of the 3 people, Joseph,Mahmoud And Isabel.
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
Kadyn, Ottawa,Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most difficult situation( he and his family are being targeted, he is not just caught up in something. )but he has an easier journey, as he is on a giant boat, which is safer than on foot or in a very small boat. 

However, right now, Mahmoud  has the most difficult life because there are soldiers and bombs everywhere. Isabel is not in immediate danger, just starving, and on a boat.  
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo
Evyn-Ottawa, Ontairo 
Well I can’t really chose because they all are going through a lot of things like Mahmoud’s house got bombed and he has nothing, Isabel well she was starving and now she has a hole in her boat so they might not make it to miami, and then Josef his dad got taken away from him fir a while and his house go trashed and his is leaving his home. They all are leaving their homes and for kids that’s very different because they have to live in a different world they haven’t been to 
Kaden OTT, O CAN
Kaden OTT, O CAN
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life out of three because, is house got bombed, he has nowhere to live and they might get seperated.
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
Angua, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Joseph is living the hardest life. Although he is on a boat that is big and safe, at the start of the book hitler's storm troopers took his dad away from him, put him in concentration camp, and trashed his house. in WW2 hitler was was targeting all jewish people, and hitler is very powerful.
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
Alana—Ottawa, Canada
I think Mahmoud is living th hardest life. He is being forced to leave his country, and won’t even be himself because he’s too scared that something might happen if he does. His house was also bombed
Avery canada ottawa ontario
Avery canada ottawa ontario
i think Mahmoud is living the hardest life right now because his house is destroyed. he now has to walk by foot because his car has a bunch of bullet holes in it. he saw someone die and it was right beside him . which is a very traumatic experience.  
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Sam, Ottawa, Canada
Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. I think this Because he's so afraid, that he hides his identity. To make things worse he is bombed forcing him and his family to leave the country. In the bomb all of his belongings were destroyed (except for some things) . Joseph and Isabell get a boat but Mahmoud travels by FOOT.
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada, north america
Anna, ottawa,ontario,canada,   north america
first off josef is trying to escape being thrown into a concentration camp. isabel is trying to escape starvation and mahmoud is trying to evade the on going war and being bombed. all of these situations are horrible but we need to compare them. josefs dad is already in a concentration camp 
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
Stephan, Ottawa, Canada
I think that Josef the 12 year old jewish boy is living the hardest life out of the three . I think that Josef is living the hardest life because he is a jewish boy and during the WW2 (world war 2) Hitler was targeting all jewish people. His father who was a jewish man was sent to a jewish concentration camp because he was studying law and jewish people were not allowed to study law . Josefs father luckily got a chance to get out of Germany. Josef also doesn't get treated well because he is a jewish boy. The Nazis also crashed their entire house (which was later called the night of broken glass). The Nazis warned Josefs family "if they didn't leave Nazi, Germany than they would have  to pay the price."  Mahmoud is almost in the same situation, but unlike Josef Mahmoud is not a big target and nothing is stopping from leaving.
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
Reem,OTT,ONT,CAN
In my experience of the book I think that Mahmoud is having the most difficult time out of all of them because Mahmoud house was actually distroyed!!! I feel bad for all of them but I feel bad for Mahmoud the most...But at the same time I feel extremely thankful that there is no war on Canada:)
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
Ruth,Ottawa,Canada,Ontario
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life out three people because he saw his home get destroyed right in front of him. Also he had a very traumatic experience when he sees a man dead because he shot in the head when he was driving by a gas station. That's when people started coming with guns and started shooting. His life is always in fear. Which I think is really sad.   
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
Nathan,Ottawa,Canada:-}
I think that Joseph had the most difficult life before he left germany because of the amount of discrimination aganst him and other jews. The fact that his house was trashed in the middle of the night and his dad was taken to a concentration camp is pretty scary. He also doesn't have very much money since his dad got stopped from doing his job because he is a jew. Isabel is poor and hungry but at least she is mostly safe. Mahmoud is not that safe but at least has a mostly normal li IthinkthatJosephhadthemostdifficultlifebeforeheleftgermanybecauseoftheamountofdiscriminationagansthimandotherjews.Thefactthathishousewastrashedinthemiddleofthenightandhisdadwastakentoaconcentrationcampisprettyscary.Healsodoesn 
′
 thaveverymuchmoneysincehisdadgotstoppedfromdoinghisjobbecauseheisajew.Isabelispoorandhungrybutatleastsheismostlysafe.Mahmoudisnotthatsafebutatleasthasamostlynormalli
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
Isabelle,Ottawa,CANADA
I think Mahmoud is living the hardest life out of the tree characters. He is living a life where. If you go to school you don't know if your coming back alive. His apartment got bombed and he left in there car, After a gas station they saw soldiers and might be shot, and he saw a guy have a hole in his head beside him and died
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nick, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
In my opinion the person who is living the hardest life is Mahmoud because he has to escape by car. That means that he has to put up with all of the gunfire and violence whereas Josef gets to leave by a giant ship that everybody's being nice to him and his family. Their not use to that because the nazis didn't like jews back then. But everybody on this boat was a jew. Mahmoud has already come across four soldiers and he will most likely come across more soldiers, also his car has been lit up with bullets and his house was bombed by some sort of soldiers and his house was destroyed completely. He had to leave with two little backpacks filled with their only belongings that they now have. Also Isabelle only has to travel 90 miles although in a leaking boat because of bullets from the police. 
Ben, Ottawa,Canada
Ben, Ottawa,Canada 
I think that Mahmoud is living the most difficult life because, his apartment got completely destroyed, then his family was about to leave the country and then some soldiers wanted to go to the war so they drove them back to the city an when they got there, there car just got attacked and they have bullet holes all over the car! Plus one of the soldiers got shot in the noggin and there in the middle of a war!!!
M4
M4
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
Meika :)Ottawa, Canada
I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. I think that Mahmoud is living the hardest life for many different reasons. Mahmoud's country was torn apart by violence. My first reason why I think Mahmoud's life is the hardest is because one day he was walking home from school, just like a lot of people do now and he saw someone getting beaten up by bullies. I think that is crazy, considering that was only a few years ago. But living in my country, Canada I don't have to worry about walking into bullies that bad on my way home from school. Mahmoud's appartement got destroyed. His head was bleeding and he had went to find his family. Luckily they were all still alive but they had to flee to another country. In this case they were fleeing to Germany. The main reason I think Mahmoud life is the most difficult is because on his way to Germany his car started getting shot with bullets. There were two soldiers sitting in the back of the car with them well they were in the car on the way to Germany. One of the soldiers got shot in the head and his body fell on Mahmoud and his brother. I'm pretty sure when most people are driving they don't all the sudden have dead bodies falling on them. This is why I think Mahmoud is living the most difficult life. 
Violet Ottawa, Canada
Violet Ottawa, Canada
I think the person that has the hardest life out of the three of the characters is Mahmoud. I think it's Mahmoud because his country was torn apart by violence and he has experienced a lot in his life. Plus when the soldiers hopped into the van. Then when they got attacked 
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
Tim, Ottawa, Canada
I believe that Mahmoud is living the hardest life. Mahmoud is living in the most divided country. It is divided into the Syrian government, Syrian rebels, American and UN soldiers, Daesh (ISIS) and Russian bombs. Also, Isabelle is only traveling 90 miles, even though on a leaking boat, there are other boats if theirs sinks, and Josef is on a large and safe boat. Although I do believe that the difficulty of Isabelle's and Mahmoud's life are similar in difficulty, I believe Mahmoud's is more difficult, because of the fact that his journey is longer, and more perilous. I say that because while a leaking boat is dangerous, if they sink, there will be a chance of being rescued, but if Mahmoud is shot fatally, he can't be rescued. In my opinion, Josef's life looks the most promising, because he is on the safest vessel of transportation (a large boat), is safer than a car or a leaking boat. Then again, Mahmoud's has been lit up with bullet holes. In conclusion, I believe Mahmoud is living the hardest life.
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
Collin,Ottawa,CANADA
I would say that in my oppinion is that Isabelle is living the hardsed life beacause she has basically no possesions that she will have from Cuba unless she goes back when she is young adlut or somting and since they rescued the Castellos son and girl friend but they have given there trust to fidel castro and the police department also one police man found his mark for the boat and there is now a hole in the side and the boat is now takking on water and the don't have anything to pach it up with
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
Grayson Ottawa Ontario Canada
I think that Josef is escaping the most diffecult life, but mahmoud is living and escaping the most diffecult life. Meaning that  mahmoud
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bianca,Ottawa,Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
Bryn, Ottawa, Canada
At this moment, I think that the person with the hardest life is Mahmoud and Josef is trying to escape the most difficult place. First, I will support why Mahmoud is having a difficult life. Mahmoud is having the most difficult life because it is the most divided country, (Syrian Premieres, syrian rebels, ISIS  and the US military). Mahmoud has, at this moment nothing but his clothes and a Iphone for his long trip through war torn areas on foot, of Turkey and Germany, because his car is shredded with bullets.
Emily Hinton,alberta
Emily Hinton,alberta
I think isabel has the hardest 
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Olivia Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think Mamoud is living the hardest life because his best friend died and he is living in bo
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
Haley Hinton,Alberta, Canada
I think that Isabel is living the hardest life because she is almost starving and has really low high gene. She is running away from the police and breaking laws. she has the most difficult life because her father is a wanted man and has been put in prison once almost twice. Isabel is has no school and only knows one instrument to play.
isabel is living the hardiest life
isabel is living the hardiest life 
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
Tayler Hinton, Alberta Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life. I think that because he couldn't see his dad for six months and he has to leave in fourteen days. He also lost his Star Of David in the German section of the train.
Luke Hinton AB CVS school
Luke  Hinton AB CVS school
I think that Josef is living in a "apocolypse on earth" because 1 his father is in a concentration camp. 2 his school was a mean school. 3 he was forced to move
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
Taylor b Hinton, Alberta, Canada
I think Isabel is living the most difficult life because here father went to prison for travelling to a different country. She doesn't have a lot of food.
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
William,Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think Josef is living the hardest life. His father got put in a  concentration camp and to get out he and his family had to leave Germany in 14 days or else they would all put in a concentration camp.
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Sarah-Hinton,Alberta,Canada 
I think the person that has the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers and took his dad a way and got brought to a concentration camp for six months. Mean while..his best friend also died from a bomb.
Brooke N Hinton AB
Brooke N Hinton AB
I think that all of them are living the most difficult life. Mahmoud is practically living in a world of bombs, Isabel is living in a world of hate and riots and Josef's father was taken away by Nazis to a concentration camp. So I think that all of them are living the worst life in this book. So it is really important that we realize it could be so much worse for us.


Loghan,Hinton,AB
Loghan,Hinton,AB
I think Josef had the most difficult life beacuse the germans broke into his house and toke his dad for practicing law.
Kameron Hinton Alberta
Kameron Hinton Alberta 
I think that mahmoud has the worst life because his freind got bombed by an air strike 
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
Heaven-Alberta-Canada
I think the person with the hardest life was Josef because his father was taken to a concentration camp well the WW || was going on
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Kitiara-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think that Mahmoud has the most difficult life because,he was getting bullied at school and the only way to not get bullied was to not be seen so by doing that he lost his best friend.A few days later his friend died,now its just him and his brother. 
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jonas-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef because his father was taken to custody and Josef hasn't seen his father in a year. As the year past they decided to seek refugee in Cuba and as they did they would have to wear the star of David, which means they were Jewish. when they were in Germany, Jewish people were not respected. When they were on the train Josef decided to go onto the German train. There he realized there were no differences between Jewish and German. But when he went to the concession he dropped his Star Of David and a Hitler Youth caught him but instead of revealing it to everyone he instead quietly told Josef to come with him. Now he is either going to be sent to custody or the Hitler youth might end up being good and helping him in further chapters.
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
Jennifer-Hinton-Alberta_Canada
I think Josef has the most difficult life because his father got taken away into concentration camp, when josef got caught on the train i dont think he is going to get in trouble i think the Hitler Youth is going to help him.
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada
Jaida-Hinton-Alberta-Canada 
I think the person with the hardest life is Josef. I think he has the hardest life because he lost his friend because of Hitler. his dad was taken away by the German storm troopers and that was not fair to him and now he has to go to Cuba and he now knows that the German  people are the exact same as him and the Jewish people and its all just Hitlers fault. 
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
Lily-Hinton,Alberta,Canada
I think the person living the hardest life is Josef. I think Josef is living the hardest life because he is being forced to leave his home and the German storm troopers took his dad away and brought to a concentration camp for six whole months!! Josef also lost his best friend died in a bomb. 
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
Angel-Manitowoc,Wisconsin
i think the person that's living the most difficult life would be Josef because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard, and it was happening in WW ll.
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Mari- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
I picked Josef for living a difficulty life, because his dad is not there with him 24/7. And his dad is probably having bad times, WWII. If Josef loses his dad that would be really hard for him. 
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Luz- Manitowoc, Wisconsin 
the person living in  the most difficult situation is Josef, because he have to escape from the Nazis, so he don't end up in the concentration camp like his father  
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Alexa- Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person that's living the most difficult life  would be Josef, because he's father is in the concentration camp and like having someone there would be hard , and it was happening in WWII so that was pretty bad and hard because a lot of people died. 
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Vickie - Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
I think the person living in the most difficult situation is Josef.  I feel this way because I have read so many books and have watched so many movies that show just how terrible WWII was.   Also, his father was in a concentration camp and the entire family could also end up there one day.

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I think that Isabel is having the worst ,because her grandpa fell off the boat.

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Hi! I am Payton. Am I am from Illinois.

I think Isabel has the hardest life because they have to get away from Cuba and it is very difficult. There is also a giant tanker following them. Senora Castillo has just falling off the boat and Isabel has to go get him. That's hard already. They already have a whole boat of people.

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Hi my name is Aleyna and I am in the 6th grade. I think the character with the most difficult life is Mahmoud, because his friend died in a airstrike, his car got shot up, and a solider got shot in the head right next to him.

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I think Isabel is having the hardest life because her mom is pregnant. They have water in the bottom of the boat because of gun shots. Senor Castillo fell in the water .

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I think Mahmoud is having the hardest time escaping because, first of all the smugglers keep saying they have a boat ready but they don't, also Mahmoud and his family were kicked out of the building they were staying in and have no shelter now.

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I believe that Josef has it hard because his dad is getting depression and is going crazy. 🤪 Also, the "doctor" was really a Nazi in disguise trying to single out ANYone that even flinched and kick them out of the boat.🛥️ And when Josef's family passed the test, they had to wait longer to get on the boat! They were very relieved that they got to get on the boat.

😌

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I think that
Isabel is in the worst situation because she jumped of a boat to save someone. Next, they were on a small boat so anyone could fall out.
Finally there was a lot of people so anything could go wrong.

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I think Isabel has the wost life because she is in a tiny boat and a big tanker boat is by them.Most of the people either fell off or jumped in and Senior Castillo is drowning

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I think Josef has the hardest life because he had to race two other ships to Cuba and his dad was acting crazy and he has to wait another day to get into Cuba

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Isabel

Atlantic ocean

Hi I am Adam from Illinois
I think Isabel is having the most difficult situation first of all she just jump in the water. Second
the motor doesn't really work. Third
There is a bullet hole in the the boat and it is only covered by a sock that is not really  working. here are some of my feelings about Josef.

Josef

Atlantic    ocean
Am so mad right now because
they are making them wait
longer they have been on that
boat for about five days.  They have been on that boat long enough.

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hi my name is Shelby and I think Josef has it the hardest because he was forced to leave his home and when on the jew train car he went to buy candy for he sister and was caught.his dad was sent to a consontrion camp and is now going crazy.

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Hi my name is Charlie and i'm in 5th grade we have learned

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Hi, my name is Emma, and I am in eighth grade, from Drought school. So far, we have learned that Isabel, is wanting to go to the U.S, to escape from their home country in Cuba because of war. Josef is escaping from Hitler, because he's a jew, during World War II, and trying to get to Cuba. Mahmoud is trying to leave Syria, where bombs are being blown up right next to him. His family has decided that they would all go to Germany to escape the war. In my opinion, Mahmoud is facing the most difficult situation. Before they were fleeing to Turkey to be safe, until they leave for Germany. His parent's got a call from the smuggler. They were all super excited, until they saw what they would be leaving in. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea in a dingy, is what they had to go in. They went aboard, and in the middle of the sea, there was a storm, and they dingy hit a rock, flipped over, and are stranded in the middle of the sea. All the families were slowly separating, and Mahmoud was trying to keep his family safe, until they saw a boat up ahead in the distance. Sadly, the boad did not slow down, so Mahmoud and his mom cling to it, and then there were harsh waves, and his dad, and brother were gone. His mom was having trouble keeping Hannah safe, so they had to give her away to a complete stranger. To me, that would be a terrible life, I could never my life being like that.

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Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Jordana, Cynthia and Emily, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Isabel is escaping the most difficult situation because in Cuba her father would be put in jail if they didn’t leave. Also she is in a boat in the middle of the sea and it is filling up with sea water and has a very high chance of tipping but they are in the middle of the ocean so they have to stay in the boat or else they will drown. Also Isabel’s family lost their first aid kit so they have no medicine or matches and there might be sharks in the sea.

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Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada

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Samira and Ella, Oakville, Ontario,Canada

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We think that Mahmoud is trying to escape the most difficult situation because his apartment was bombed and he was almost KILLED. We also think that Mahmoud had the most trouble in his past because his hometown got invaded by isis. I think that Mahmouds story is way worse than Isabel's because he was forced to leave his country and to never go back because of bombing but Isabel chose to leave because her family and her didn’t like there president and there were riots and they didn't have enough food.

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Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Chloe and Ava, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

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Isabel is trying to stay safe and is escaping famine. I think Isabel has the hardest story because before when she was living in Cuba they did not have enough food. Isabel could  also get caught for escaping Cuba at any moment in time.  When Isabel got on the boat there were lots of people. Another reason is that Isabel had to escape Cuba is because at the time  it wasn't very safe and Isabel’s father has been to jail two times before, so isabel and her family were worried that he was going to go back to jail. On the boat it was  filling up with water and Senor Castillo was drowning and Isabel saved him. Also they could have been hit by a ship which would have been a catastrophe. That’s why I think Isabel has the hardest part.

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Hi my name is Katie and I think that Mahmoud is in the hardest situation right now. I think this because in Syria there are bombs and they cannot express their opinions and they are not safe. They could get hurt or they could get sent to jail for their religion. Where we are in the book, he is in a tiny little rubber dingy that just went over a rock. In the dingy they are packed in very tightly and the smugglers just sent them off and aren’t even in the boat. All they have is their phones and chargers and they don’t have any money. They are totally lost in the middle of the ocean. I think Mahmoud's situation is more difficult than Isabel's because at least Isabel has food and has some space on her boat and is not as lost as Mahmoud.

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Hi, my name is Mysha, this was a very difficult choice for me, but I think have settled on a person. I think Mahmoud is living a very hard and difficult life. In the beginning of the book, his apartment got blown up by a missile. This was very unfortunate because it took him out of a place to live. This happened because, there was a war going on in Syria at the time. Later in the book, he had to walk miles to the Turkish airport, and they would only let them in if they answered one question correctly and that was, “Who are we against”? If they didn’t answer the question right, they would get shot. Luckily Waleed answered and said “We are against who ever is bombing us”. He saved the day, even though he didn’t realize it. After they got to Turkey, they already booked a boat to Greece. They called a hotel to ask if they could stay there, while they waited for the boat. The hotel said they were fully booked which again, his family didn’t have a place to live. They looked for a place to live and came across a boy, who helped them find a mall to live in but the boy was expecting a lot of Syrian money in return. His dad gave him the money because, he didn’t want his family to be roaming around the entire night, looking for a place to live. The next day, they went to the smuggler and asked where the boat was, and he said it was going to be there tomorrow. This had been going on since 11 days. If I was in this situation, I would definitely be crying and wishing to go back to Syria, even if there was a war there. That night, when they went back to the mall, there were two people saying they needed to pay rent to go inside. Mahmoud’s dad didn’t know if they had enough money to do that and then paying for the boat, so they rejected. Fortunately, this old man helped them. They got a message the boat was there for the 12th time so nobody had much hope. When they got there, the boat was actually there! Now we are on the part where they got on the boat. This is just my opinion, what is yours?