So one brother leaves and the other follows, hoping and praying that they can find their sister and improve their own lives. But time has passed and no one has heard from her. The tale begins in the middle, but we get to jump back and see the events that started our young protagonist on his path to a new life.Įbo awakens one day to find his brother Kwame had left to journey to Agadez, seeking their sister Sisi, who had left months prior to seek employment and secure travel for her family. The best laid plans do not always work, unfortunately. This is his story of how he attempts to escape the shackles of poverty and make a new life for himself and his family in Europe. Our main character is named Ebo, a 12-year-old boy from a poorer than poor village in Ghana. Illegal definitely falls into this latter category, as I will explain below. Sometimes, authors use sequential art to reach new fans or tell their stories in a new way. There are, however, a wide range of genres that are in no way connected to mutants, space creatures, science experiments, and the like. When you mention the words graphic novel, most people assume you are going to be talking about superheroes or fantasy themes. The opening quote from Eli Wiesel reminds us all that humanity depends on humans caring for each other.Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook Students can create empathy maps, timelines, and map the refugees’ journey, as well as engage in inquiry projects about refugees in and out of the United States. There are many opportunities for teachers to help students learn about African countries, the legacies of imperialism, and the sad history of decolonization. Human traffickers abound and pop up frequently to separate migrants from their hard-earned money.Įbo’s gift for song carries him to the city of Agadez where an impromptu gig at a wedding helps him get to Europe. The reader quickly learns that the life of a migrant is a dangerous routine of work, hide, and sleep in order to get up and avoid detection the next day. Ebo, Kwame, Sisa, Uncle Patrick, Rozak, Penn, and Cammo. This 122 page graphic novel by was written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin with the images drawn by Giovanni Rigano.Ī small cast of characters make this book an easy, yet dramatic read for students learning about immigration and Africa. Illegal is the story of Ebo, a young boy from Ghana who journeys across Africa to Tripoli where he hopes to migrate to Europe and reunite with his older sister Sisi and his older brother Kwame who have already left home.

Graphic novel illegal