Words on Fire

I know when my child gives me daily updates on her books that she is engaged. This one for sure kept her captivated.

The author writes a tragic yet beautiful story of a smart and strong young heroine, determined to help keep her country’s culture and language alive. The book shines light on a largely unknown piece of history and the brave souls who resisted the intense Russification of their country and people. Like her other historical fiction books, Jennifer Nielsen paints a loving story of her characters and keeps the reader engaged. My ten year old daughter loved this book too!

Though this book is written for young adults, it did not take away from the message and powerful story, how Russia has taken over the small country of Lithuania, and it's people are to abandon all of their country's customs, beliefs, even their own Religion. All of their books have been taken and replaced with Russian books by order of the Tsar. In this story a young girl Audra, Mother and father are book smugglers, bringing the Lithuanian books to drop off points in surrounding villages, Audra never knew this .She just thought, when her ""Magician Father" was away on the road, doing magic tricks, it was his way to earn xtra money, while her and her Mother stayed working on their small family farm. One evening, Out of nowhere, the Russian soldiers invade their home, Audra is given a book that is all wrapped up and told by her mother to run into the Forest and hide, then when it's clear and safe, go to a different village further away, and find a women named " "Milda," who will help her and hide her. The last she saw looking back, as she ran for her life to the forest, was her mother on her knees in the field, with the Russian Cossacks soldiers around her, and her famlies house engulfed in flames. As Audra starts her scary journey to hide from the soldiers, find a village she doesn't know where it is, and a women she doesn't know at all, She befriends a young boy her age , Lukas, who takes her to the village and to the women Milda. It is here for the first time she hears and learns from Milda , how her Parents are regarded as heroes for all the Lithuanian books they have smuggled over the years, to keep their tradition and Heritage alive. Thus begins Audra's involvement in the underground network of book smugglers, where her, Milda, Lukas and a dear older man Ben, take unimaginable risks, in bringing books back to her people, and together they are United in the magic of words, and the power of language, and strength to stand United in resisting the Russian Opression of her people. Very well written, very interesting part of history I wasen't even aware of. Excellent message within story line.

Arrived quickly for my sister's Christmas gift. Inspiring eloquent story, quality hardcover, would recommend.