Under Attack by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Reading a book about an ongoing war feels awful. The fact that there are kids – right now – suffering what these characters are suffering makes it hard to sleep, while you’re reading this book. It’s not easy to read, but equally, death and horrible details are dealt with in measured ways. A young reader should be able to cope. Also, the protagonist has a sweet little dog that adds levity. The kids are resourceful, strong, and clever. There is a “happy ending” to this first book, although challenges and the ongoing war remain. Facts are provided at the end of the book as well as ways readers can help.

700,000 children have been taken from Ukraine to Russia. At the time of publication, only 300 had been recovered.

Middle Grade Fiction pr7633542