“Illegal” by Eoin Colfer is a gripping and timely graphic novel that addresses the urgent issue of immigration. The story follows Ebo, a young boy from Ghana, as he embarks on a perilous journey to find his older brother Kwame in Europe. The artwork by Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano complements the powerful narrative, capturing the emotions and struggles of the characters with great skill.

The book does an excellent job of humanizing the experiences of migrants, shedding light on the hardships they face and the resilience they show in the face of adversity. It tackles complex themes such as family, friendship, and hope while sensitively addressing the realities of the immigration process.

“Illegal” not only raises awareness about the global refugee crisis but also encourages empathy and understanding among readers of all ages. The characters’ struggles and the moral dilemmas they encounter make this an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Eoin Colfer’s storytelling prowess shines through in this poignant and thoughtfully crafted graphic novel. It manages to convey a powerful message without being preachy, leaving a lasting impact on its readers. “Illegal” is a must-read for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by migrants in their quest for a better life.

This is the story of Ebo. He leaves his village in Africa trying to catch up to his brother who is seeking passage from north Africa to Italy where their older sister is. Ebo is young and inexperienced, but his hope and cleverness help him on his treacherous journey.

I really enjoyed this perspective of immigration on a different continent than North America, as it shows us that immigration happens all over and the routes people take are so dangerous.

The story is simple and the illustrations deepen the emotions and determination of Ebo and his travel companions. Recommend for graphic novel fans and those seeking a broader picture of immigration issues.

Illegal is a book completely different than Colfer's previous work, but it is incredible! The graphic novel format will appeal to so many readers, making it very accessible.

I have given this book to multiple students since its release. It has captured the attention of not only a number of reluctant readers, but also students who want to connect with refugee stories in all formats.

What a heartbreaking story that reflects what so many people have experienced in search of a better life. I was surprised to see it in the kids section at my library - I was thinking that it was written for someone much older. It definitely broadened my empathy and understanding.

I am writing this review more than a year after reading this graphic novel. Since then I have bought several classroom copies because my students, many who are children of parents who had to flee their home countries, are drawn to the title and the cover; then they read about Ebo's struggles and ask if they can keep the book. Who am I to deny my those students (many of them struggling readers) access to such a powerful tale?

Absolutely amazing! While I didn't expect to be disappointed by Colfer's latest work, I was surprised how moved I actually was by it. The illustrations served to add to the overall sense of urgency (for lack of a better word) that this book evokes. This is a very timely, important story.

A powerful book that should be available in all school libraries. It's engaging and relevant; its graphic novel format makes it all the more 'readable' for younger readers who should be aware of "current plight of undocumented immigrants"

An important graphic novel for our time--this is moving and the illustrations and text work together extremely well. I was captivated by this story and couldn't put it down. I am glad that young readers can be exposed to texts like this as I don't think we can afford to withhold these types of stories.

Illegal communicates an important, real narrative in a way that upper middle grade and teen readers can (and should) understand. The fluctuating timeline rounds out Ebo's story and adds suspense to his journey. I definitely think Illegal should be a first purchase for youth collections.

Wonderful graphic novel showing the true struggles that African immigrants make to get to Europe. Heartbreaking and intense.

What an impactful book. Having already read Refugee and Escape from Aleppo, this book added much to the emotional struggle of the journey and the challenges regular people just trying to live their lives encounter while trying to live someplace not under constant bombardment and threat of death.

Can't believe that it took me so long to pick this up and properly read it - the story follows Ebo and Kwame as they attempt to follow their sister to Europe and escape from poverty. The story is told from Ebo's point-of-view and he is an endearing, beautiful character. Alternate chapters fill in the backstory, while the 'now' chapters look at the harsh realities of the brother's journey.
The emotional punch in the gut wasn't unexpected, but it still hurt when it came, transporting me seamlessly into that hopeless moment.
The text is sparse, the illustrations simple, but the emotion conveyed is immense.
Essential reading!

See my review on YALSA's the Hub :
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2018/08/14/qp2019-nominees-round-august-14-edition/

This was a wonderful book and would highly recommend for others to read. It is great for students to read about other cultures.

So excited for this book! Gives students an image of immigration that allows them to empathisize with the plight so many children must endure.

Colfer and his graphic novel partner, Donkin wanted to try write a story centered on an important issue of our day. Donkin mentioned in a Publishers Weekly interview that about the same time as they were looking for an pressing issue, he would keep hearing reports about migrants capsizing in overloaded boats while attempting to flee from dangerous situations in their homeland. As Colfer is quoted in this same article ""The stories of those children were heartbreaking," Colfer says. "This issue is so sensitive that we wanted to make our story as truthful and real as possible."
They kept waiting to hear back reports to find out what had happened to the victims after the capsizing. Were there survivors, lists of peoples names, reports of who were missing etc., but they never heard anything else about them after the initial report of the capsized boat incidents.
This story is the result of grappling with these issues.

This moving account will help young readers (and adults) appreciate what people will go through to get to a safe country with opportunity. It's truly heartbreaking. I would recommend that children read it with an adult, so they can have an open conversation about what illegal immigration means for all involved.

This is an eye-opening depiction of the experience of refugees. While it was difficult reading about the horrible conditions and the desperation of the refugees, it is a necessary read.

This book is based on true experiences. It humanizes refugees and shows the reality of their hardship. The graphic novel format is a good choice for any teen or adult intimidated by longer, non-fiction books. This is a great introduction for people who don't have much knowledge about this subject.

Graphic novel about immigrating illegally. This book will give you some idea of the experience of illegal immigrants. Artwork is done well and adds to the story. Appropriate for High School and up due to some violence and some drug references. Great book for history or speech teachers to use as a springboard to discussing immigration and legal issues.