Sibert Honor Medalist ∙ New York Public Library Best of 2018 ∙ The Horn Book Fanfare 2018 ∙ Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018 ∙ YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Winner

In the tradition of two-time Sibert Honor winner Don Brown’s critically acclaimed full-color nonfiction graphic novels The Great American Dust Bowl and Drowned City, The Unwanted is a timely and eye-opening exploration of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, exposing the harsh realities of living in, and trying to escape, a war zone.


Starting in 2011, refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions. The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighboring countries, and chaos follows. Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows. By 2017, many want to turn their backs on the victims. The refugees are the unwanted.

Don Brown depicts moments of both heartbreaking horror and hope in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. Shining a light on the stories of the survivors, The Unwanted is a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action for all those who read.