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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
THE LOST YEAR is a stunning novel, one that is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Based on the author's own family history, it tells an intimate story set during the 1932-1933 famine in which millions of Ukrainians died as a direct result of Soviet policies that led to mass starvation. Our narrator in the present is 13-year-old Matthew, who's bored and lonely, stuck at home during the pandemic with only his nagging mom and his elderly great-grandmother. His father, an investigative reporter, is working in Paris, unable to leave for several reasons. While Matthew deals with his own anxieties, he finds commonalities between what he is experiencing and what his great-grandmother went through during the famine in her native Ukraine. Matthew finds purpose in discovering his GG's story, which teaches him some important lessons about hope, survival, family, sacrifice, and love, especially when he compares and contrasts it to what he's going through with the Covid-19 crisis. What results is a moving, multi-layered tale that teaches readers about a forgotten piece of history, while making it relevant to what we all experienced during the recent pandemic.
Although THE LOST YEAR isn't a light or happy novel, it is an important one. While it never gets TOO grim for its middle-grade audience, it remains realistic in its descriptions of the horrors of starvation, Communist control, false news, betrayal, and needless death. The book does end on a hopeful note, but, overall, it might be too bleak for sensitive young readers. Those who do read it, though, will be rewarded with a touching and thought-provoking read that will leave them feeling enriched and empowered. Choosing THE LOST YEAR for a classroom or book club read will definitely prompt meaningful discussions.
Its subject matter is difficult, no doubt, but THE LOST YEAR is one of the best books I've read this year for all the reasons I mentioned above. Don't miss this important, impactful read.
Although THE LOST YEAR isn't a light or happy novel, it is an important one. While it never gets TOO grim for its middle-grade audience, it remains realistic in its descriptions of the horrors of starvation, Communist control, false news, betrayal, and needless death. The book does end on a hopeful note, but, overall, it might be too bleak for sensitive young readers. Those who do read it, though, will be rewarded with a touching and thought-provoking read that will leave them feeling enriched and empowered. Choosing THE LOST YEAR for a classroom or book club read will definitely prompt meaningful discussions.
Its subject matter is difficult, no doubt, but THE LOST YEAR is one of the best books I've read this year for all the reasons I mentioned above. Don't miss this important, impactful read.
3.5. Powerful and important. I can't put my finger on what makes it less than 4 stars, but maybe I'll come back and change it once I've processed.
challenging
emotional
informative
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
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The story of the great Ukrainian famine told exquisitely. Multiple POV with dual timelines. A must read for middle schoolers and everyone else looking for an introduction to Ukraine history and/or American immigration.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In this middle grade novel, in her characteristic way, Katherine Marsh tells stories from various characters and different timelines to draw attention to historical events in ways that will feel relevant to children.
The story centers around Matthew, a New Jersey teenager in 2020 at the height of COVID isolation; Matthew's 100-year-old great grandmother has been moved out of the nursing home into their home in hopes of keeping her safe. Matthew struggles to connect with her, while feeling cut off from friends and classmates. He decides to use journalistic techniques to learn more of her story. In interchanging storylines, we dive into 1930s New York and Ukraine, learning about the famine Holodomor that impacted his great grandmother.
Teachers would find this a valuable classroom read, as students will resonate with Matthew's experience of virtual learning, as well as get a glimpse of how a famine was hidden from the world through propaganda.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
The story centers around Matthew, a New Jersey teenager in 2020 at the height of COVID isolation; Matthew's 100-year-old great grandmother has been moved out of the nursing home into their home in hopes of keeping her safe. Matthew struggles to connect with her, while feeling cut off from friends and classmates. He decides to use journalistic techniques to learn more of her story. In interchanging storylines, we dive into 1930s New York and Ukraine, learning about the famine Holodomor that impacted his great grandmother.
Teachers would find this a valuable classroom read, as students will resonate with Matthew's experience of virtual learning, as well as get a glimpse of how a famine was hidden from the world through propaganda.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
Timely and wonderful read. Can't recommend it enough! Meant for middle grade readers (5th grade and up) but adults should definitely pick this one up as well. Would make for a great parent child book club book!
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes