By Jennifer A. Nielsen
Amazon rating: 4.8/5.0, grades 3-7
Good Reads: 4.22/5
Common Sense Media: 3/5 expert review, 4.5/5 kid reviews, ages 8+
4Rbooks: 5.5/6, Grades 6+
322 pages
Synopsis:
Audra is a quiet and shy 12-year-old. She lives on a farm with her father, a practicing magician, and her mother. She rarely goes to town and has never been to school.
The year is 1894. Lithuania has been under Russian control for a long time. Due to a political uprising 30 years ago, the Tsar has outlawed the Lithuanian language, oral and written. A dedicated group of “book carriers,” including Audra’s mother and father, risk their lives to get books in the Lithuanian to their people.
After they are arrested, Audra escapes. Reluctant at first to continue their efforts, slowly Audra realizes how important it is to keep Lithuanian books available for the villages. She becomes involved in the book smuggling effort. With the help of new friends Lukas, Milda, and Ben she risks her life to bring the written word to her country and starts her own journey toward becoming a storyteller.
Parental Guidance: medium
Though written in a kid friendly, not overly graphic way, there are
numerous examples of Russian oppression including beatings, arson, and
executions.
Audra’s parents are exiled to Siberia.
There are many scenes of drama and impending doom.
Recommendation:
It has been a while since I have read a book that I had trouble putting down and couldn’t wait to finish. I completed this novel in two days. It is one of the best stories I’ve read, and it makes me interested in checking out the author’s other works of historical fiction. I especially appreciated learning about a historical time period and area that is not as well known.
It is scary and intense at times. I would think this is mostly appropriate as a middle grade novel, 6-8. A mature 4-5th grader could handle it with parent front loading and guidance. It provides a great reminder of the power of the written word and why a cultures history, traditions, and stories needs to be saved and appreciated.
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