war

Brave Volodymyr

Sophie Rosen , , , ,

Marshall, Linda Elovitz. Brave Volodymyr: the Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine. New York: Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023.
When should we quietly – without protest – endure injustice? When should we speak up, no matter the cost? What can we do to make this world a better place? Those are questions all of us must answer at some point in our lives. This biography addresses them by providing a summary of Zelensky’s life and the experiences that have led to his leadership during the ongoing war with Russia. It includes an extensive author’s note, a detailed timeline, and a bibliography. Brightly illustrated by Grasya Oliyko, it is useful as a read-aloud for children 8 to 12 years old, but ideal for readers of any age who would appreciate a short history of the current situation in Ukraine. Recommended as an essential acquisition for all school libraries.

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Under Attack

Sophie Rosen , , , ,

Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk. Under Attack. New York: Scholastic Press, 2025.
Some well-written novels require readers to “read between the lines” to find the hidden meanings. This is not one of those stories.  Under Attack is filled with five-senses details that vividly portray the message of the story: Ukraine has been invaded, and Ukrainian children are being kidnapped. This 300-page novel – with an explanatory author’s note at the end – starts on the day Russia attacked Ukraine: February 24, 2022. It starts in the city where the full-scale invasion began: Mariupol. It is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Dariia, who flees to an underground storeroom before being captured by soldiers and taken away to be adopted by a family in Russia. There is no hiding from the horror of war in this story. But Dariia’s courage and resourcefulness are also clearly portrayed in a highly recommended book for readers 11 years old and up who appreciate realistic novels.

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Quiet Night, My Astronaut

Sophie Rosen , ,

Lushchevska, Oksana. Quiet Night, My Astronaut: The First Days (And Nights) of the War in Ukraine. Ann Arbor, MI: Tilbury House Publishers, 2024.
Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, on February 24, 2022. In this picture book – illustrated by Ukrainian artist Kateryna Stepanishcheva – a young girl describes what life is like during the first 10 days of the war. “Church bells are ringing, sirens are screaming, bombs are exploding.” Her father is sent off to defend the country while she and her mother, along with her little dog and her astronaut doll, struggle to survive. This is a modern war: she exchanges texts with her cousin and her father, makes posters to share on social media, and reads about fundraising efforts online. But this is also a war like all others: destruction surrounds them as they flee. Accompanied by a note from the Ukrainian author – who now lives in the U.S. – and a list of discussion questions, this picture book is highly recommended for readers 7 to 12 years old.

“What is darkness to us if we have a candle of faith in the heart?”

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Varenka

Sophie Rosen , , , ,

Watts, Bernadette. Varenka. New York: North South, 2022.
What is a miracle? What happens when we pray?
Varenka, a widow, lives deep in a forest, far from other people. But war is coming and she must decide: should she flee? She thinks. If she leaves, who will take care of the animals and feed the birds in winter? Who will take care of the people wandering through the woods? She decides to remain. People seeking shelter do arrive and soldiers with guns arrive. And a miracle occurs. Or is it a coincidence? An answer to prayer or pure good luck? Readers will have to decide for themselves after reading this beautiful picture book by an accomplished British author and illustrator. Highly recommended for all ages.

P.S. Readers who appreciate books by Brian Wildsmith, might like to know that this author studied under him for a time. You may enjoy comparing the styles of artwork.

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The Librarian’s Stories

Sophie Rosen , , ,

Falcone, Lucy. The Librarian’s Stories. Brooklyn, New York: POW!, 2020.
The National Library of Sarajevo was bombed in 1992 during the Bosnian War. Steven Galloway wrote about this tragedy in The Cellist of Sarajevo, a novel for adults. And now Lucy Falcone, a former children’s television writer, has written a picture book inspired by that novel. Every day, a librarian sits on a bench outside the burned-out library and reads a book aloud to give people hope and courage. Illustrated by Anna Wilson, this story about the power of stories is recommended for readers 7 to 11 years old. 

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The Button War

Sophie Rosen , , ,

Avi. The Button War. Somerville, Massachusetts. Candlewick Press, 2018.
Anything written by Avi is worth reading. Anything published by Candlewick is worth considering. And this World War I story is absolutely riveting: the animosities among a group of boys in Russian-occupied Poland during the summer of 1914 are revealed by a competition to collect military buttons. This intense 229-page novel is not for readers looking for a light-hearted read but rather for thoughtful readers – 11-years-old and up – who understand how fierce rivalry can lead to betrayal and violence.

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