By Jennifer A Nielsen

If you’re on this website, I’m assuming that you like to read. So I’m sure that you will be appalled at the thought of a government that bans books. Not just suspicious or problematic books. All books. Now imagine that not only are books forbidden, but also your entire language. You can’t even speak it at home.

Living in Lithuania in 1893, Audra is in constant fear of the Cossacks. They are trying to erase all signs of the Lithuanian culture, including the language and the books. Of course, not everyone is going to agree with this. So when the Cossacks show up at Audra’s front door, her parents tell her to flee. And to deliver a mysterious package.

Throughout her journey, Audra learns of the secret resistant movement and realizes just how involved she already is. Her parents are prisoners, and she must rely on her wits and her newfound allies to save them.

Why should you read this book?

Before I read this book, I had no idea that there was a time when Lithuanian was banned in Lithuania. I didn’t know that people smuggled books around, and I certainly had no idea what the resistance movements were. Through this book, I discovered an entire area of history that I had never known about. Besides all the interesting historical background, it’s really well written. This was the first Jennifer A Nielsen book I read (a friend gave it to me) and recently I got the privilege of meeting her and she signed my copy (!!!).

Who should read this book?

Again, this is another book that deals with a time period were there was violence and danger, but it does a good job of handling it in a way that’s not graphic or disturbing. It was well written and very enjoyable. Any middle schoolers could read this.

General Stats:

• Genre: historical fiction
• Standalone
• Age: 6th grade and above
• My rating: ★★★★★