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Ghost's Journey:
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Written by award-winning author, Robin Stevenson;
based on the true story of Eka, Rainer, and their cat, Ghost. When life in Indonesia becomes too dangerous for LGBTQ people, Ghost and her two dads are forced to leave their home and escape to freedom in Canada. Their story is told from the perspective of Ghost. |
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Ghost's Journey: A Refugee Story
nominated for: 2021 Silver Birch express Award and the 2021 Rocky Mountain Book Award |
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Ghost’s Journey:
~chosen as a best book for 2020 with a red star which signifies a "title of exceptional calibre" in Canadian Children's Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids & Teens spring 2020 edition. |
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Robin Stevenson is an award-winning author of more than 20 books for kids and teens, including the Stonewall Honor book PRIDE: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY and the board book PRIDE COLORS. Her writing has been translated into a number of languages and published in more than ten countries. Her books have been nominated for many awards, including the Governor General’s Literary Award, and she is a four-time finalist for the BC Book Prizes. Robin lives on Vancouver Island with her family and has been involved with refugee sponsorship since 2015. Ghost's Journey: A Refugee Story is a fundraiser to support LGBT refugees. Robin hopes this book will help young readers understand a bit about what it means to become a refugee, and why people who live in countries like Canada should welcome those who are seeking safety. www.robinstevenson.com.
Reviews - Ghost's Journey: A Refugee Story
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“Stevenson tells the real-life story of Eka Nasution and Rainer Oktovianus with simplicity and clarity for younger audience. Both the primary text and the author’s note are written in accessible language, and centering Ghost creates appeal for young readers, who can easily identify with her family’s longing to live their true lives. This introduction to LGBTQ human rights for young children is a gentle and effective one.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
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“The world is changing, and Canada remains, at least in comparison to the global landscape, an LGBTQ safe space, and Ghost’s Journey plays a role in reinforcing this narrative for a positive purpose. If only more LGBTQ refugees had a Ghost to keep them company through the immigration process!”
“Highly Recommended” ~ Canadian Review of Materials |
Click Q & Q logo to read review
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"To say that introducing young children to complex social justice issues – such as those involving LGBTQ+ refugees – is a challenge would be an understatement. But Robin Stevenson’s new picture book manages to present this complicated subject in an accessible and moving way." ~Quill and Quire
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Ghost's Journey: A Refugee Story is listed on 49th Shelf for the:
Most Anticipated: 2019 Books for Young Readers Preview |
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"Stevenson tells the tale from the perspective of their cat, Ghost, but does so without cutesy anthropomorphizing. Ghost is an observer of the action, but always with a realistic cat’s response, reminding us that this is a true story and not a made-up tale." ~Mombian
Full review: www.mombian.com/2019/08/30/new-picture-book-tells-story-of-two-gay-refugees-and-their-cat/ |
“This book charmed me from the get-go. Told from a cat’s perspective, it tackles tough subjects with a light touch. The story broke my heart, then put it back together again. I simply loved it.”
-Susin Nielsen, Governor General’s Award-winning author of The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen and No Fixed Address
"Ghost's Journey shines a gentle light on the dangers faced by so many LGBTQ+ people in countries around the world. It's a powerful and important story, beautifully written and full of captivating images." Susan Juby, author of Alice I Think and Republic of Dirt
"Reading this story I realize again how fortunate we are to live in a society where we can talk, think, act, believe and love as free human beings; where we respect our neighbours even if they differ from us. I hope that many children will read this tender tale and wonder why people around the world can't revel in that same freedom, that we so often take for granted. Because only when we wonder why something isn't right, can we change injustices. Welcome to Canada, Ghost and your daddies."
-Margriet Ruurs, award-winning author of Stepping Stones, A Refugee Family’s Journey
"Ghost's story is not just an endearing cat tale, it's also a gentle but honest introduction to human rights issues for young audiences." -Kyle Lukoff, author of When Aidan Became a Brother (Lee and Low) & A Storytelling of Ravens
“Ghost’s Journey is a perfect fit for teaching young audiences about SOGI, family diversity, human rights, and social justice. Parents, primary teachers, and elementary school librarians will love this picture book; a ‘must have’ on every kid’s bookshelf!” ~Solveig Davie, Teacher-Librarian, SD44 (North Vancouver)
“Heartwarming and powerful story of courage, a cat’s love, and a new country. Inspirational.” ~Marilyn MacPherson, Librarian
"With gentle, evocative prose, and a cuddly protagonist, Stevenson recounts Eka and Rainer’s journey from Java through the lens of the two men’s cat, Ghost. Ghost’s perspective provides young readers with an accessible entry point to explore the plight of LGBTQ immigrants fleeing violence in their own countries. Ghost’s Journey is hopeful and engaging, packing an emotional punch that will help illuminate the struggles of LGBTQ individuals at home and abroad." -Robert Bittner, Postdoctoral Fellow and LGBTQ Literature Scholar.
"Robin Stevenson has an incredible talent for making difficult subjects accessible for all ages. Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story is no exception. For a book that deals with the terrible victimization of LGBTQ+ people and refugees, Ghost’s Journey, at its heart, is less about the horrors Rainer and Eka faced that forced them to flee their home and more about the love they share for each other and the home they have created with their beloved cat. Ghost’s Journey is a beautiful, much-needed book told through the eyes of a cat who follows his dads halfway across the world to create a new home together where they are free to love each other openly and without fear. Something everyone has a right to do."
-Melanie Florence, award winning author of Stolen Words and Missing Nimana
-Susin Nielsen, Governor General’s Award-winning author of The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen and No Fixed Address
"Ghost's Journey shines a gentle light on the dangers faced by so many LGBTQ+ people in countries around the world. It's a powerful and important story, beautifully written and full of captivating images." Susan Juby, author of Alice I Think and Republic of Dirt
"Reading this story I realize again how fortunate we are to live in a society where we can talk, think, act, believe and love as free human beings; where we respect our neighbours even if they differ from us. I hope that many children will read this tender tale and wonder why people around the world can't revel in that same freedom, that we so often take for granted. Because only when we wonder why something isn't right, can we change injustices. Welcome to Canada, Ghost and your daddies."
-Margriet Ruurs, award-winning author of Stepping Stones, A Refugee Family’s Journey
"Ghost's story is not just an endearing cat tale, it's also a gentle but honest introduction to human rights issues for young audiences." -Kyle Lukoff, author of When Aidan Became a Brother (Lee and Low) & A Storytelling of Ravens
“Ghost’s Journey is a perfect fit for teaching young audiences about SOGI, family diversity, human rights, and social justice. Parents, primary teachers, and elementary school librarians will love this picture book; a ‘must have’ on every kid’s bookshelf!” ~Solveig Davie, Teacher-Librarian, SD44 (North Vancouver)
“Heartwarming and powerful story of courage, a cat’s love, and a new country. Inspirational.” ~Marilyn MacPherson, Librarian
"With gentle, evocative prose, and a cuddly protagonist, Stevenson recounts Eka and Rainer’s journey from Java through the lens of the two men’s cat, Ghost. Ghost’s perspective provides young readers with an accessible entry point to explore the plight of LGBTQ immigrants fleeing violence in their own countries. Ghost’s Journey is hopeful and engaging, packing an emotional punch that will help illuminate the struggles of LGBTQ individuals at home and abroad." -Robert Bittner, Postdoctoral Fellow and LGBTQ Literature Scholar.
"Robin Stevenson has an incredible talent for making difficult subjects accessible for all ages. Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story is no exception. For a book that deals with the terrible victimization of LGBTQ+ people and refugees, Ghost’s Journey, at its heart, is less about the horrors Rainer and Eka faced that forced them to flee their home and more about the love they share for each other and the home they have created with their beloved cat. Ghost’s Journey is a beautiful, much-needed book told through the eyes of a cat who follows his dads halfway across the world to create a new home together where they are free to love each other openly and without fear. Something everyone has a right to do."
-Melanie Florence, award winning author of Stolen Words and Missing Nimana
Check out this video to listen to Mama G from the UK read Ghost's Journey on April 22, 2020.
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