Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen

 


Words on Fire is a great historical fiction novel that tells the story of Audra, a girl living in Russian occupied Lithuania who finds herself involved in smuggling books into and around Lithuania. In the late 1800's, Russia attempted to extinguish Lithuanian culture by banning books, language, and the history of Lithuania itself. When Audra's book smuggling parents get caught and arrested, she follows her mom's last order to get a book to a woman in a neighboring town. This sets off a series of events that force Audra to make life threatening decisions seemingly ever day. Along the way, Audra meets a fellow book smuggler named Lukas who allows her to join in a fight that she never thought she'd be a part of.

If you like history, especially history you may not be familiar with, this book is for you. It is fast paced and action packed. The fact that a country would try to erase another country's existence is scarily fascinating. 

I am a huge fan of all of Jennifer Nielsen's books (I actually met her a few years ago too!). I encourage all of you to give this book a try. (or anything that she has written). Her books have made many of my former students into lovers of reading! 


-TK

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