Garnet finds a thimble which brings its own magic to her Wisconsin farm. Could a summer be anything but magical when it brings a new brother, a new barn, some new stories to tell, and of course, a blue ribbon at the fair?
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http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
Eben longs to see the world and can’t imagine ever finding anything wonderful in his hometown of Sassafras Springs. When his father promises Eben a trip to Colorado if Eben can find seven wonders at home, Eben is certain that it can’t be done. Nevertheless, he begins his search the very next day…
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
Spend time with J.D. and his older brother Tom, “The Great Brain.” The Great Brain concocts all sorts of schemes to get rich and make his life easier, while J.D. just tries to keep up.
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
Ronia will inherit her father's band of robbers someday, if only they can defend themselves from the king's soldiers and the competing band of robbers who have moved in next door. But Ronia doesn't want to be a robber, she doesn't want to fight soldiers, and her best friend is Birk, son of the rival robber chieftain. Magic, family, friendship and woodland adventures make this a tale that's hard to put down.
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
http://www.bookpikks.com/the-magic-of-small-town-fiction/
Hattie was an orphan, who had always been bounced around from relative to relative. She longed to put down roots, but feared she would never be given the chance. A surprise letter changed everything. Hattie’s Uncle Chester died, leaving Hattie his claim–320 unproved acres in far-off Montana. Although only 16 years old, Hattie seized her chance for independence, and went at once to claim her unseen land.
I absolutely loved this book. Hattie is a strong, independent character. She is a true friend to those in need, and rises to meet any challenge head on. Larson spent three years researching and writing this book, and her efforts paid off. She weaves together the difficulties of homesteading, the challenges of WWI, and the bonds of friendship into a beautiful tale.
http://www.bookpikks.com/hattie-big-sky-by-kirby-larson/
I absolutely loved this book. Hattie is a strong, independent character. She is a true friend to those in need, and rises to meet any challenge head on. Larson spent three years researching and writing this book, and her efforts paid off. She weaves together the difficulties of homesteading, the challenges of WWI, and the bonds of friendship into a beautiful tale.
http://www.bookpikks.com/hattie-big-sky-by-kirby-larson/
Mae's father is dead, and it's all Heidi's fault. Nothing that anyone says or does will convince Mae otherwise. She pours all of her grief and loss into hating Heidi, her once best friend.
There were moments in this book that were brilliant, and moments that seemed stilted and contrived. The line that I loved, that stayed with me long after the book was done: "I took a step toward Charlotte and Ellie, and they parted so that I could walk unobstructed out the door and into the security of my anger, which I managed to display proudly until the Thanksgiving holiday arrived."
An example of a line that fell flat comes when Mae responds to her mother, "Wow," I said. "That makes me feel comforted. Thank you for not letting go." While the premise of the book is a good one, lines like this, as well as an ending that is too good to be true, keep it from being great.
There were moments in this book that were brilliant, and moments that seemed stilted and contrived. The line that I loved, that stayed with me long after the book was done: "I took a step toward Charlotte and Ellie, and they parted so that I could walk unobstructed out the door and into the security of my anger, which I managed to display proudly until the Thanksgiving holiday arrived."
An example of a line that fell flat comes when Mae responds to her mother, "Wow," I said. "That makes me feel comforted. Thank you for not letting go." While the premise of the book is a good one, lines like this, as well as an ending that is too good to be true, keep it from being great.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Ludelphia lives in Gee's Bend, an isolated community of share croppers in rural Alabama. Although her family struggles to make ends meet, Ludelphia finds joy in her stitching and in creating quilts that tell a story. When her mother becomes desperately ill, Ludelphia knows it's up to her to bring a doctor to Gee's Bend. Leaving her hometown for the first time in her life, Ludelphia ventures out with only her stitching in her pocket. Determined at first to save her mother, Ludelphia soon realizes that her entire community is in peril, and it's up to her to save them all.
This was a fun book, perfect for young fans of "Harry Potter" style stories. It's a blend of dystopia survival with magical elements and intrigue. While it's action packed and suspenseful, it's not frightening or gruesome, and would be an excellent read-aloud or independent read for grades 4-7.
Emery is 13 years old, and is both excited and apprehensive about her first mission trip. She will be away from home for several weeks, working with people she's never met to help fix up homes in rural West Virginia. Emery is eager to meet new friends and to grow in her faith. But when a new friendship turns sour and then tragedy strikes those she's grown to love, Emery realizes that her trip will stretch her in ways she couldn't have imagined.
I admire Ellis' desire to write a clean, inspirational book for young teens. She has certainly created a likeable character in Emery. However, I found myself feeling as if the character development was rather flat, and the easy resolution to Emery's difficulties seemed unrealistic and simplistic. Nonetheless, late elementary and middle school girls who are looking for a clean, Christian book should enjoy Emery's story.
I admire Ellis' desire to write a clean, inspirational book for young teens. She has certainly created a likeable character in Emery. However, I found myself feeling as if the character development was rather flat, and the easy resolution to Emery's difficulties seemed unrealistic and simplistic. Nonetheless, late elementary and middle school girls who are looking for a clean, Christian book should enjoy Emery's story.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Nik knows what his future holds. Once he graduates from school, he will be recruited by the Intelligence Service and trained to protect his country from the hostiles across the river. But first, the ISIS turns him down, and then his school is attacked. On the run with his friends, Nik searches for answers. When his friend's little brother is kidnapped by hostiles, Nik has a new purpose: Cross the bridge and get him back.
Higgins' dystopic society is similar to our world in many ways. Differences in religion, language and customs cause misunderstandings. Children are taught from a young age to fear and hate those who are different. Resources are claimed for one group at the expense of the other. Violence is seen as the way to solve your problems. Higgins manages to tackle these problems without getting too preachy and she doesn't offer any simplistic solutions.
Nik was a believable character. He seemed like a real high school kid, just trying to do the right thing for his friend. He didn't have amazing fighting abilities or super intelligence. The mysteries in his life were intriguing and made the ending of the book more dramatic. I did get confused during parts of the book, first at the beginning when new characters were being quickly introduced without a lot of backstory, and later when Nik crossed the bridge. Both times, I felt as if I had missed some explanations about characters and details of the society in which they lived. I know that the lack of information was show more intentional on the author's part, probably so that the flow of the story didn't get slowed down by lots of explanation. But a little more explaining would have helped me.
Fans of dystopic fiction will enjoy this book, and it will spark good discussions in a book group about the use of violence, the purpose of war, and what individuals can do to make a difference in their own society. show less
Higgins' dystopic society is similar to our world in many ways. Differences in religion, language and customs cause misunderstandings. Children are taught from a young age to fear and hate those who are different. Resources are claimed for one group at the expense of the other. Violence is seen as the way to solve your problems. Higgins manages to tackle these problems without getting too preachy and she doesn't offer any simplistic solutions.
Nik was a believable character. He seemed like a real high school kid, just trying to do the right thing for his friend. He didn't have amazing fighting abilities or super intelligence. The mysteries in his life were intriguing and made the ending of the book more dramatic. I did get confused during parts of the book, first at the beginning when new characters were being quickly introduced without a lot of backstory, and later when Nik crossed the bridge. Both times, I felt as if I had missed some explanations about characters and details of the society in which they lived. I know that the lack of information was show more intentional on the author's part, probably so that the flow of the story didn't get slowed down by lots of explanation. But a little more explaining would have helped me.
Fans of dystopic fiction will enjoy this book, and it will spark good discussions in a book group about the use of violence, the purpose of war, and what individuals can do to make a difference in their own society. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Hattie’s mom has died, leaving Hattie alone with her gruff, grieving father. After Hattie chops off her braids in a fit of rage, Hattie’s Pa buys her some boy clothes, introduces her as Harley, and trains her to help him as a river man. While she misses her Ma, Hattie begins to find some joy in her strange new life as a river rafting”boy.” When she and her Pa take a dangerous journey down river, Hattie begins to realize that there’s more behind her Pa’s silence than she first thought. Hattie is a strong heroine who will appeal to middle grade girls who love Laura Ingalls and are ready for a more challenging character.
Elsie is a baker’s daughter in 1945 Germany. Her family is somewhat sheltered from the realities of the war by her older sister’s participation in the Nazi Lebensborn (breeding) program, and the attentions of a Nazi official. When a Jewish boy follows Elsie home and asks for shelter, she must decide whether to continue being her family’s daughter, or if she should choose for herself what is right.
In modern day Texas, Reba meets Elsie, now a bakery owner with a daughter of her own. Reba discovers that the seemingly simple task of interviewing Elsie for a newspaper article opens a floodgate of emotions for both herself and Elsie. Together, the two women reveal pieces of their own stories to each other, and find a way to make peace with the past and the present.
Told in alternating points of view from young Elsie and present day Reba, this novel is hard to put down. While not quite as suspenseful as Sarah’s Key, the story is well-written, and the characters struggle with similar issues of right, wrong and what we can and should do about it.
In modern day Texas, Reba meets Elsie, now a bakery owner with a daughter of her own. Reba discovers that the seemingly simple task of interviewing Elsie for a newspaper article opens a floodgate of emotions for both herself and Elsie. Together, the two women reveal pieces of their own stories to each other, and find a way to make peace with the past and the present.
Told in alternating points of view from young Elsie and present day Reba, this novel is hard to put down. While not quite as suspenseful as Sarah’s Key, the story is well-written, and the characters struggle with similar issues of right, wrong and what we can and should do about it.
Charlie's mom died of cancer, and his dad has retreated into silence to cope with his grief. Lonely and friendless, and looking for an escape from junior high bullies, Charlie wanders into the woods one day and meets a grizzly bear. But this is no ordinary grizzly bear, as Charlie soon discovers. The grizzly bear, Emory, soon becomes a friend to Charlie. But keeping a grizzly bear as a secret friend is no easy task. Charlie must decide whom to trust with his secret, and how he can protect Emory from the community.
I loved that this book wasn't just an animal story. Charlie has to deal with all sorts of realistic issues: bullies at school, after school fights, pretty girls, first dances, first kisses, arguing with his dad, missing his mom, and watching his dad enter the dating world. While this is an adult novel, and not juvenile fiction, it reminded me a lot of The Nine Lives of Travis Keating. The subject matter might be a bit much for most middle school students, but high school students as well as adults will enjoy this heart-warming, realistic and slightly fantastical story about a boy and a bear who rescue each other.
I loved that this book wasn't just an animal story. Charlie has to deal with all sorts of realistic issues: bullies at school, after school fights, pretty girls, first dances, first kisses, arguing with his dad, missing his mom, and watching his dad enter the dating world. While this is an adult novel, and not juvenile fiction, it reminded me a lot of The Nine Lives of Travis Keating. The subject matter might be a bit much for most middle school students, but high school students as well as adults will enjoy this heart-warming, realistic and slightly fantastical story about a boy and a bear who rescue each other.
A worthy addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. It was similar in style and feel to Life as We Knew It. When a supervolcano erupts unexpectedly near Alex's Iowa home, he is separated from his parents. Desperate to reunite with them, he begins the dangerous journey in the midst of a cataclysmic ashfall. Facing hunger, injury and violence, Alex also finds unexpected friendship and help. I'm eager to read the sequel, Ashen Winter, due out in October.
Orphaned at age 19 in the late 1800′s, Selina accepts a job as a school teacher in the community of New Holland. Even though New Holland is only a few hours drive by wagon to her former life in Chicago, Selina is not prepared for the shock of living in the tiny, conservative truck-farming community. The grinding work and poverty take a toll on even the hardiest of souls. Determined to continue finding beauty in life and learning, Selina throws herself into her teaching, and later into her family farm. When her son, Dirk, “SoBig” DeJong is born, Selina promises herself that he will not be bound to the farm, and that he will have every opportunity that she herself lost. This is a rich novel, with much to discuss and analyze. I was most struck by how Selina lost every privilege, and yet didn’t lose hope, either for herself or her child. Dirk’s response at being given every opportunity would also be worthy of discussing.
Rebecca’s life is turned upside down when her mother suddenly takes Rebecca and her little brother from their Baltimore home to their grandmother’s home in Atlanta. Expecting a quick trip, Rebecca is shocked to learn that they have left her father behind, and will be staying in Atlanta. New school, new kids, new house, new city. Rebecca is furious with her mother, and homesick for her dad and Baltimore.
When Rebecca discovers a magical bread box in her grandma’s attic, she thinks that she has found an easy solution to her problems. But even though her wishes are being granted, her problems seem to multiply. Somehow, Rebecca must figure out a way to make everything right again. This would be an excellent book to read in conjunction with Eight Keys. Both books have similar themes of grief, bullying, friendship and family, and it would be interesting to compare and contrast how the characters deal with their problems. Another excellent read for 5th-8th grade girls.
When Rebecca discovers a magical bread box in her grandma’s attic, she thinks that she has found an easy solution to her problems. But even though her wishes are being granted, her problems seem to multiply. Somehow, Rebecca must figure out a way to make everything right again. This would be an excellent book to read in conjunction with Eight Keys. Both books have similar themes of grief, bullying, friendship and family, and it would be interesting to compare and contrast how the characters deal with their problems. Another excellent read for 5th-8th grade girls.
I loved LaFleur’s debut novel, Love, Aubrey and her second novel, Eight Keys was just as good. Elise has lived with her aunt and uncle ever since her father died when she was 3. She loves her aunt and uncle, and spends much of her time playing with her best friend named Franklin. But now that Elise is turning 12 and entering middle school, her safe, comfortable life seems to be changing. Suddenly, “playing” is no longer the cool thing to do, a 6th grade bully is picking on her, homework is piling up, and Elise begins to take out her frustration on the one friend who loves her as she is, Franklin. One day, Elise discovers a key in the barn with her name on it. Looking for answers, she takes the key and unlocks a door that gives her back the past, while at the same time, helping her to begin moving forward.
This is an excellent book for 5th-7th grade girls. Elise’s story is honest and real. LaFleur deals with the realities of friendship and middle school without exaggeration. And although Elise must find her own answers, she is surrounded by loving adults as well.
This is an excellent book for 5th-7th grade girls. Elise’s story is honest and real. LaFleur deals with the realities of friendship and middle school without exaggeration. And although Elise must find her own answers, she is surrounded by loving adults as well.
I just love Ann Martin, and this book made me love her even more. She has written a fantastic story about sisters and family. Pearl is the younger, 4th grade sister to middle school age Lexie. Pearl tries hard (usually) but just can’t understand why Lexie acts the way she does. When the girls’ grandpa comes to live with them in their cozy apartment, the girls are forced to share a room. Pearl is thrilled with the chance to observed Lexie up close. Now, just maybe, she can figure out her big sister once and for all!
Older fans of Beezus and Ramona books will love this sweet, but realistic, look at the complicated relationship between big and little sisters. A perfect book for 3rd-6th grade girls.
Older fans of Beezus and Ramona books will love this sweet, but realistic, look at the complicated relationship between big and little sisters. A perfect book for 3rd-6th grade girls.
Jamie and his mom move to northern Michigan to live with, and care for, his aunt. Suffering from a head injury, Aunt Saphy can't remember anything day to day. Jamie has a dark secret that he'd love to forget, but he can't. With the help of a new friend, Audrey, Jamie sets out to help his aunt, but ends up finding answers of his own.
This book was phenomenal. Weeks has woven together Jamie's and his aunt Saphy's stories in a way that reminds me of Gary Schmidt's books.While not as rich in historical detail as Schmidt, Weeks develops her characters and reveals the plot at just the right pace. I also love how she strikes the perfect balance of Jamie being alone with his secret, without making all of the adults in his life completely incompetent. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
This book was phenomenal. Weeks has woven together Jamie's and his aunt Saphy's stories in a way that reminds me of Gary Schmidt's books.While not as rich in historical detail as Schmidt, Weeks develops her characters and reveals the plot at just the right pace. I also love how she strikes the perfect balance of Jamie being alone with his secret, without making all of the adults in his life completely incompetent. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
Alex is on a solo camping trip in the UP, mourning her dead parents and trying to come to peace with a deadly brain tumor of her own, when a shower of EMP's are detonated. Alex begins a journey to find some answers and some survivors, with orphaned Ellie under her wing. The girls soon discover that the EMP not only destroyed all computers, but it killed many people, and changed the survivors in sometimes horrifying ways. When Tom, a soldier with secrets of his own, joins their little band, the three friends struggle to stay together and to survive in their new, horrifying world.
Suspenseful and tense. A bit too gruesome in parts for me; I had to skim over some sections. But overall, I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen, and the cliffhanger ending will stay with me for some time.
Suspenseful and tense. A bit too gruesome in parts for me; I had to skim over some sections. But overall, I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen, and the cliffhanger ending will stay with me for some time.
Because the family is running out of money, Rachel, her siblings and her Pop must move from their New York apartment to an abandoned farm upstate. When they get there, Rachel's Pop discovers that a promised job is no longer his, and so he must leave the siblings on their own for several months to go find work. Rachel and her younger brother and sister are on their own, determined to prove to their Pop that they can care for the family's new farm. If you love historical, survive against the odds, fiction as I do, you'll enjoy this book. It's a perfect choice for upper elementary and middle school girls.
Retta has dreams of making it big as a country music star in Nashville. After graduating from high school, she heads to the city to pursue a music career. Although she knew it would be difficult, Retta didn’t realize how hard it would be to break into the business, and when family drama calls her home, she begins to wonder if she should just give up her dream altogether.
Supplee begins each chapter of her book with a brief bio of a real country singer. I enjoyed Retta’s story, which was sweet without being nauseating, and had enough surprises in it to keep it from becoming too predictable. A quality addition to the “follow your dreams” genre.
Supplee begins each chapter of her book with a brief bio of a real country singer. I enjoyed Retta’s story, which was sweet without being nauseating, and had enough surprises in it to keep it from becoming too predictable. A quality addition to the “follow your dreams” genre.
A fictionalized account of the life of Helmuth Hubener, a German teenager who had the courage to stand up to the Nazis in Germany, at the cost of his life. Bartoletti explores how Hubener came to be drawn into the Hitler Youth Movement, and what possibly might have motivated him to sacrifice everything to tell the German people the truth about Nazi atrocities. Bartoletti wrote this book after researching Hubener’s life for her non-fiction book, Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read some good high school fiction. Artichoke’s Heart was just what I needed. Rosemary Goode is just trying to survive high school. She tries not to get noticed, and comforts herself with food. When one of her mom’s beauty shop clients draws attention to Rosemary’s growing weight, Rosemary knows she needs to make a change, and for the first time in her life, she wants to make a change too.
Artichoke’s Heart has everything–underdog heroine to cheer for, perky cheerleaders to hate, cute “boy next door,” a little drama, a little romance, and a plot that makes you believe that if you had to do high school all over again, just maybe, it could be better.
Artichoke’s Heart has everything–underdog heroine to cheer for, perky cheerleaders to hate, cute “boy next door,” a little drama, a little romance, and a plot that makes you believe that if you had to do high school all over again, just maybe, it could be better.
Erik's parents deploy to Iraq, leaving him to go live with his Oma and Big Darrell on the prairies of North Dakota. Angry, lonely and feeling unwanted, Erik rescues a dog, names him Quill and claims the dog as his own. When the dog's owner turns up, Erik takes to the prairie, confident that he and Quill together can make a life for themselves on the prairie.
Middle grade readers, both boys and girls, will love this book. Erik's independence, his love for Quill and his journey on the prairie will fuel the imaginations of young readers. What I liked about the book is that in the end, Erik discovers that there is more to the adults in his life than he first realized. His parents and grandparents aren't just labelled as "the bad guys" and kept that way. Erik is allowed to get to know them and appreciate them for who they are. This is a similar, but easier to read, tale to My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, one of my personal classics.
Middle grade readers, both boys and girls, will love this book. Erik's independence, his love for Quill and his journey on the prairie will fuel the imaginations of young readers. What I liked about the book is that in the end, Erik discovers that there is more to the adults in his life than he first realized. His parents and grandparents aren't just labelled as "the bad guys" and kept that way. Erik is allowed to get to know them and appreciate them for who they are. This is a similar, but easier to read, tale to My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, one of my personal classics.
Looking for a fresh start, Travis and his father moved to a tiny town in Newfoundland. Travis' father immediately settles into his role as the town doctor, but Travis, still grieving over the loss of his mother, struggles to find his place. When a bully marks Travis as his target on Travis' first day of school, Travis knows that his new town will never be home. But then Travis discovers a group of wild cats, who will certainly freeze to death during the fierce Canadian winter...unless Travis can figure out a way to help them.
Travis' battles--to make friends, save the cats, defeat the bully, conquer his grief and find a home--drew me in immediately. Readers of all ages will relate to this book, but middle school boys in particular will devour MacLean's first book. AND, I just discovered that MacLean wrote a follow-up book about one of the female characters, Prinny Murphy. How cool would it be for the girls in a 6th grade class to read Prinny's story and the boys to read Travis' story? Or better yet, the girls can read from the boys point-of-view, and the boys can read from the girls'.
Travis' battles--to make friends, save the cats, defeat the bully, conquer his grief and find a home--drew me in immediately. Readers of all ages will relate to this book, but middle school boys in particular will devour MacLean's first book. AND, I just discovered that MacLean wrote a follow-up book about one of the female characters, Prinny Murphy. How cool would it be for the girls in a 6th grade class to read Prinny's story and the boys to read Travis' story? Or better yet, the girls can read from the boys point-of-view, and the boys can read from the girls'.
We recently watched the HBO mini-series The Pacific. It was a fascinating and horrifying look at the American Marines who served in the Pacific theater during World War II. One of the featured Marines was a private named E. B. Sledge. Sledge's journey from his country home in Alabama to the war-torn islands in the Pacific, and his transformation from boy to Marine were powerful stories. As we completed the series, we discovered that Sledge had written a book about his service with the Marine Corp. Eager to find out more about his story, I immediately checked out the book from our library.
Sledge's book is a straightforward account of his beginnings as a Marine, and of the battles that he fought. Some of the movements of the troops were confusing to me, as were the references to various Marine regiments and divisions. I'm sure that readers who know more about the military wouldn't be confused at all. But Sledge's account isn't just a retelling of troop movements. Rather, it's his personal story of the sights, sounds, horrors, defeats and triumphs of war. It's graphic at time, but matter-of-fact. As I ended the book, I was overwhelmed with admiration and respect for the thousands and thousands of troops who have served so faithfully in combat for our country.
Many of the things that Sledge experienced were documented in the mini-series. If you haven't yet watched the mini-series, I would highly recommend reading With the Old Breed first.
Sledge's book is a straightforward account of his beginnings as a Marine, and of the battles that he fought. Some of the movements of the troops were confusing to me, as were the references to various Marine regiments and divisions. I'm sure that readers who know more about the military wouldn't be confused at all. But Sledge's account isn't just a retelling of troop movements. Rather, it's his personal story of the sights, sounds, horrors, defeats and triumphs of war. It's graphic at time, but matter-of-fact. As I ended the book, I was overwhelmed with admiration and respect for the thousands and thousands of troops who have served so faithfully in combat for our country.
Many of the things that Sledge experienced were documented in the mini-series. If you haven't yet watched the mini-series, I would highly recommend reading With the Old Breed first.
Hiding in the Spotlight, by Greg Dawson, is a biograhpy of the author’s mother, Zhanna. Zhanna and her family were Jews living in the Ukraine during the start of World War II. Already suffering under Stalin’s brutal communistic policies, the people’s torment increased as the Germans swept into Russia. Soothed by false promises of kindness from both the Soviets and the Germans, Zhanna’s parents decide not to flee from the swiftly moving German army. Once the Germans reach their town, the Arshanskys soon realize their terrible mistake. Unable to save themselves, Zhanna’s parents manage to save their two daughters. Through the kindness of strangers, and using their amazing musical talents, the girls are able to survive the war in plain sight, by entertaining the Nazis.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, is a novel based on the author’s family history. Stalin and the Soviet government used the cover and confusion of World War II to “cleanse” the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, killing outright or deporting millions of people. Lina and her family live in Lithuania in 1941. Because of unknown “crimes,” 15 year old Lina, her younger brother and her mother are sentenced to 25 years of hard labor in Siberia. Only her mother’s sheer determination, her brother’s childlike innocence, and Lina’s love of drawing can sustain the family during their darkest hours.