Description
Description
Told from dual perspectives, this remarkable true story for YA readers recounts the tale of two individuals--a Ukrainian teen in the early 2010s and a Jewish boy in hiding during WWII--whose lives are entwined through a box of letters. Nataliia, a teenager in Ukraine, is at home when she makes a puzzling discovery: a box of letters written from a Jewish boy, Eliezer, about his experience during the Holocaust. At first, Nataliia doesn't understand why her family possesses Eliezer's letters. But as she reads through them, she is able to piece together a fascinating connection--her ancestors were the ones who sheltered Eliezer during the war. Decades later, Nataliia and Eliezer's family find each other in the same orbit again--as the world faces conflicts anew. This is the incredible true story of two families brought together through war and a girl's discovery of her family's past--and what it means for the future.
About the Author
About the Author
Susan McClelland is a journalist and the author of over ten books, including Boy from Buchenwald and The Bite of the Mango. Nataliia Mariichyn is the great-granddaughter of Grigory and Mariya Palidova, a couple in Ukraine who sheltered the Buchwald family in their home in Ukraine during WWII. Raised in Ukraine, Nataliia is currently a war refugee in Montreal, Canada, where descendants of the Buchwald family helped her relocate.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
★ "A remarkable creative nonfiction story of courage and survival that satisfyingly comes together like a jigsaw puzzle... McClelland, known for collaborating with survivors of conflicts, worked with Mariichyn (now a refugee in Canada) and consulted members of Mariichyn's and Buchwald's families. The meticulous storytelling, occasionally supplemented with sections of straightforward historical content, unfurls slowly in mesmerizing detail before a fascinating conclusion. The afterword offers additional context and includes illuminating photos of the book's subjects and Leizer's correspondence. Powerful, heroic, and inspiring."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review "This title shows readers the struggle that Ukraine has endured throughout its history, while also providing a personal perspective for two families and their urge to survive. The title discusses trauma and how it impacts the body and mind, which is a perspective that is not always explored in juvenile nonfiction... A great addition for middle and high school nonfiction collections, especially for collections where World War II history or narrative nonfiction is popular."--School Library Journal
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Astra Young Readers
Pub date:
2026-05-05
Length:
240 pages
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