Ebo and his older brother Kwame have traveled across the African desert to reach the coast, where they hope to catch a boat to Europe. Their journey has been dangerous: They've been betrayed, left to die, taken ill, and almost discovered. When they finally make enough money to purchase a boat ride across, their journey across the sea--in a crowded balloon boat--is equally as treacherous.

The characters in this story, especially Ebo, are so full of hope and endurance and humanity, despite what they've been through. I was moved by the care and trust between Ebo and Kwame, and by Ebo's observations of other refugees on the journey. I learned a lot about what refugees must endure before they even set foot on a boat. Although I enjoyed the illustrations of the landscape and other objects, I had some trouble distinguishing among characters' faces. Overall, this is a timely and important story that will speak to young readers.

A compelling story, great for teens and tweens. Heartbreaking at times, but tells the story of so many thousands of refugees travelling to a better life.

Colfer, Eoin. Illegal. Hodder Children's Books, 2017.


This is the tale of a boy and his brother as they traverse Africa in an attempt to find safety in Europe. With powerful illustrations, this story alternates between the current situation, as the boy travels with a group across the Mediterranean Sea on a flimsy raft, and the previous situation, where the boy travels across Africa to find his brother and sister and reunite as a family. The graphic novel presentation makes this story accessible to a younger audience, and while the story isn't a happy one, it is told without undue amounts of graphic violence as well. Recommended.


Recommended for: tweens and teens

Red Flags: none

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars


Read-Alikes: War Brothers, Escape from Aleppo


I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purposes of review.

This graphic novel does an amazing job capturing the subject matter (immigration from Africa to Europe). Ebo, the main character, leaves his village in Ghana to follow his brother. They face many challenges in various locations along the way, particularly from human traffickers. The novel shows both the best and worst of humanity - people with almost nothing sharing what they do have, and others who prey on everyone around them in heinous ways. The illustration style was well-matched with the narrative. It alternated between panoramic-type shots, which highlighted how small humans are against the desert/sea/sky, and close-ups, such as of everyone's feet when they were packed onto a ship. I intend to order this for my academic library collection, as it's a good jumping off point for discussion of lots of different topics.

A moving account of a story that appears, incompletely, all too often in the media today. Eoin Colfer is a powerful voice here that really encourages the reader to put themselves in Ebo’s shoes and not just sit and judge at a distance, and the illustrations really bring this story to life.

A powerful, story with characters that were easy to relate to and root for. I loved that it was a graphic novel on a deep, current topic. A great book to introduce refugees with potential for more in-depth studies on the topic.

I was completely surprised to see Illegal attached to Eoin Colfer's name. From my own readership as a young adult, I best knew Colfer for his Artemis Fowl series, and I had no idea he was up to something so different.

Illegal is a heart-wrenching, poignant tale of Ebo, a young boy who tracks down the older brother who has left him, so they can journey together to find their older sister in Europe.

The boys' bond is beautiful, a picture of supportive brothers who look out for each other despite the deadly and tricky circumstances that surround them. They must weigh the hopes around them at every turn even though most of them don't pan out. The text and graphics work together to make the story an emotional journey despite its short length. Readers will be holding their breath, waiting for the moment where they find out if the boys ever make it to Europe, if they ever find Sisi (their older sister).

My only qualm with the story is that I wish it was longer. I would've liked to see a bit more depth to it. As is, it's told in two perspectives- now and then. I think it would have been an interesting juxtaposition to add their sister's story as the boys underwent their journey.

Even more, it could have hammered home the difference in the life the brothers were living versus the lives they were dreaming they could have.

Wow. WOw. WWWWOOOOWWWW. This book was amazing. The heartbreak, reality, compassion, fear... It was all there for the eye to see and it was brutally honest. above all else. There was easily hope and joy to be found, but oh my the reality of their situation!

This book was a profound beauty and I wholeheartedly believe that this will end up becoming required reading for kids in the coming years. Heck, I'd love to put this in some adults hands. I utterly cannot wait for this release.

This was a heartbreaking graphic novel about a boy named Ebo and his brother Kwame who go on a dangerous journey to Europe. Beginning in Ghana, they must work to pay for passage to Niger then across the Sahara desert, then Tripoli, then across the Mediterranean Sea crammed in a tiny boat with twelve others. This story shows the desperation and devastation of immigrants and refugees.

Illegal
By Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Illustrated by Giovanni Rigano
Interest Level 5-8
Book Review by Liz Kilibarda

Illegal is a graphic novel about a young boy and his siblings desperately trying to migrate to Europe for a chance at a better life. Though fictionalized, “Illegal” was inspired by the countless, tragic, accounts of people fleeing war, persecution, and poverty. Rigano’s haunting illustrations capture Ebo and his brother, Kwame’s harrowing journey through the desert and sea. Colfer and Donkin craft a tale appropriate for older children, though they do not shy away from difficult topics including violent death and the perils of human smuggling. “Illegal” is surely to provoke crucial conversations and provides the reader with a snapshot of what the migrants must endure during their travels. Could Colfer, Donkin, and Rigano provide a window into the realities of children living in refugee camps? One can only hope. Highly Recommended.

Parts of this book would definitely be useful to the class curriculum. The artwork, the content itself, and the medium combine together in such a meaningful way.

What immediately struck me about this book is the beautiful illustrations. The artist really has talent for conveying so much with colors and placement. Graphic format is definitely the best way to tell this tale.
The actual story draws the reader in quickly. One thing I appreciate is that my time is never wasted. There are lots of action and humanizing elements for the characters to keep me reading. I devoured this book in one sitting then shared a particular panel with a couple of friends. "Illegal" has a satisfying resolution - even though your heart is broken.
As a high school librarian, I am always looking for items that my patrons can see themselves in. With our refugee students, I know this book will demonstrate some truth of their lives. My hope is that other students will read "Illegal" and use it to get to know their classmates better.

Harrowing fictionalized tale of immigration. This is difficult content to cover, but both the artist and the author do so in a way that is both humane and heartbreaking.

Illegal is the story of a small boy, Ebo, who leaves Ghana on a mission to reach Europe. His way is more difficult than anything most people could imagine, involving a dangerous trip across the Sahara Desert, and an even more dangerous trip across the sea. Will he survive the trials, or will his life be lost like so many others on the journey?

It is difficult to judge this book as it is not something you can enjoy. It is a terrible story of lives that are only as valuable as the money they have. It was a moving journey, though, and hopefully will do something to help people understand some of the horrors going on in our world. There are so many that need help, and they need a better life.

Powerfully illustrated immigration and an immigrants journey to a new life. Beautifully written and illustrated.

Illegal is the story of Ebo and his journey to Europe. Ebo and his brother Kwame are journeying across Africa to go to Europe to find their sister. The way the book was illustrated made me feel like I was there with them on their journey.
This book is fictional, however, it is based in reality. Migrants make this journey all the time. It is something that kids in middle schools should be exposed to. I would highly recommend this book to kids in that grade level, and kids above that as well.

This is a wonderful powerful graphic novel, the story it relavent with the struggles of refugees today.

This book was so good and very realistic. It really allows for an understanding of what "illegal" migrants go through in order to have a safe life and stay with their family. It really shows that all people deserve a safe life, but unfortunately it does not happen for some people. In our current political climate and environment, this book really struck close to home. It highlights very realistically the struggles some people go through, and they seem insurmountable and imaginable. Everyone should read this book, and I think it would help people be less judgemental and more understanding, i hope.

Illegal is an amazing, harrowing story of Ebo and his brother as they try to leave Africa in hopes of finding their sister and a better life in Europe. The illustrations made me feel like I was there with them as they crossed the desert, eked out a living while saving to continue the journey, and went to sea in an overloaded raft. I was brought to tears by the end of the story.

While this book is fiction, the trials Ebo goes through are based on real immigrants' stories. There is an afterword that is the true story of a teen girl who made the journey, and it will make readers think long and hard about immigration policies and the incredible difficulties people have to overcome to attempt a life in a new country.

My thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. And my thanks, especially, to the author and illustrators of this powerful book.

A swiftly moving engrossing story told through dynamic artwork.