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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a good fictional introduction to the Holodomor for middle grades readers, but it's not the best YA/middle grades fiction book on the subject I've read. I would have appreciated more detail and depth in the historical sections of the book. I get why the twist was in there but I don't think it was necessary and added a soap opera-y element that detracted from the power of both Mila & Nadiya's experiences. And I'm not sure how I feel with it being tied into the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic through Matthew's experiences.
thealien_em's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kachterhof's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dslarson1980's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lostinausten's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A story about a great grandson dealing with the COVID epidemic while getting to know his great grandmother's tragic history during the Ukrainian famine.
At first, I thought this was just a book about a kid's perspective during COVID, which made it hard to get into. As the story continues, the boy gets to know his great grandma, who lived under Stalin's rule along with experiencing (second hand) the Holodomor. I felt so idiotic that I've never heard of this before. I obviously knew Stalin was pure evil, but what this book discusses is so heartbreaking and awful. This specific experience should be better known and talked about....How these people suffered under such an awful dictator, I can't imagine what they went through. He presented himself as a man of the people, but, in reality, he was a murderer. Why aren't we talking about what happened and how this is still relative?!
The story also touches upon the death of a parent/relative and captures some of the rawness and pain that will always be there.
This book has so many themes and messages that really make you think and reflect. I loved how it showed the importance of family and especially the importance of our elder family members who have seen some things and can share their unique experiences. The fact that the author was inspired by her own family just adds authenticity to this whole book.
Overall, a fantastic book about connecting to your past, even though it might be painful, but it allows you to reach your peace.
At first, I thought this was just a book about a kid's perspective during COVID, which made it hard to get into. As the story continues, the boy gets to know his great grandma, who lived under Stalin's rule along with experiencing (second hand) the Holodomor. I felt so idiotic that I've never heard of this before. I obviously knew Stalin was pure evil, but what this book discusses is so heartbreaking and awful. This specific experience should be better known and talked about....How these people suffered under such an awful dictator, I can't imagine what they went through. He presented himself as a man of the people, but, in reality, he was a murderer. Why aren't we talking about what happened and how this is still relative?!
The story also touches upon the death of a parent/relative and captures some of the rawness and pain that will always be there.
This book has so many themes and messages that really make you think and reflect. I loved how it showed the importance of family and especially the importance of our elder family members who have seen some things and can share their unique experiences. The fact that the author was inspired by her own family just adds authenticity to this whole book.
Overall, a fantastic book about connecting to your past, even though it might be painful, but it allows you to reach your peace.
kibbles15's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I started this book a while ago and for some reason I kept putting off finishing it. Now that I have finished it, I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. This book is a heartbreaking, yet inspiring account of the famine in the USSR during 1930's. It is a well written and engaging book, that introduced me to a part of history of which I was personally unaware. This is a middle grade novel, but I would also highly recommend this book for teens and adults as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Child death, Death of parent, War, and Classism
jordonhensley1991's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
Three stories converge in this middle grade historical fiction book. Thirteen-year old Matthew is forced to unpack his 100-year-old great-grandmother, GG’s, storage boxes. Matthew finds a photo that sparks questions and ultimately unspools a long-hidden history about GG’s childhood in Stalin-ruled Soviet Ukraine. The three perspective are set in different places and time: 1930s Ukraine, Depression-era Brooklyn, and N.J. during Covid-19 lockdown. I knew next to nothing about Communist Ukraine during its man-made famine, the Holodomor, before reading this book. I love how the book explores families and history and reminds us “we need to tell the whole story” and be mindful of whose stories have not—or cannot—be told. I loved the tie-in to the real life reporter who reported false information, encouraging readers to consider carefully their sources. This story has something for everyone and will appeal to fans of Alan Gratz and Ruta Sepetys.
erwink54's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is not how Matthew expect this year to go. The world has shut down because of Covid. His journalist dad is stuck overseas and his mom just moved his 100 year old great grandmother in with them to keep her safe. And when his mom takes away his only fun, his video games, he finds a new way to occupy his time, helping GG go through her boxes full of memorabilia. In those boxes he finds clues to a history he does not know, abed her sets it to get GG to share her story.
As GG opens up to Matthew, we get two perspectives from the 1930s. Mila in Kyiv, Ukraine and Helen in Brooklyn, New York. All three perspectives help tell the story of the famine in Ukraine in the 1930s and make a commentary on who and what gets to define the truth.
_____
I love reading books that open my eyes to parts of history previously unknown to me, and this book does that in a such a carefully crafted way. The way the story was woven through the three perspectives fleshed it out more and made the characters more three dimensional.
There are some horrific things that happen in this novel, but I think they were presented tactfully where the reader gets the picture without having to experience all the gritty details.
Overall I enjoyed this book and because it opened my eyes to a new part of history, it will be one that I think about for years to come.
_____
Content Note: This book addresses the 1930s famine in Soviet Ukraine, so there are descriptions of abuse and people starving to death. Other things to be aware of are: antisemitism, bullying, execution, classist rhetoric, and descriptions of 2020 Covid pandemic. As such, I highly suggest parents or guardians read this one alongside their children to discuss with them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
As GG opens up to Matthew, we get two perspectives from the 1930s. Mila in Kyiv, Ukraine and Helen in Brooklyn, New York. All three perspectives help tell the story of the famine in Ukraine in the 1930s and make a commentary on who and what gets to define the truth.
_____
I love reading books that open my eyes to parts of history previously unknown to me, and this book does that in a such a carefully crafted way. The way the story was woven through the three perspectives fleshed it out more and made the characters more three dimensional.
There are some horrific things that happen in this novel, but I think they were presented tactfully where the reader gets the picture without having to experience all the gritty details.
Overall I enjoyed this book and because it opened my eyes to a new part of history, it will be one that I think about for years to come.
_____
Content Note: This book addresses the 1930s famine in Soviet Ukraine, so there are descriptions of abuse and people starving to death. Other things to be aware of are: antisemitism, bullying, execution, classist rhetoric, and descriptions of 2020 Covid pandemic. As such, I highly suggest parents or guardians read this one alongside their children to discuss with them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.