Words on Fire

Another fantastic historical fiction novel by this author who is a master at unexpected plot twists!
Based on the true story of Lithuanian book smugglers of 1864-1904, this book powerfully describes the struggle of the Lithuanian people to retain their identity and regain their freedom from the occupying Russian government which was claiming they were "Russian". Hmmm. Sounds like current events with a different country. An excellently written story about a time period with which I was unfamiliar. When I saw it was about Lithuania and Russia, I first assumed it was about the Soviet Union, but this was a generation or two before that. I highly recommend this book!
Content considerations: there are some violence & war & persecution show more themes show less

I got this book for review and felt that is was a 4.5 stars review.

I found this book to be such a gem. I loved how this book tackled a time period that i was unaware of. I like how this book focused on a quiet resistance and really found that to be charming and so much fun to read about. I also liked how the main character drew so dramatically from the start of this read. I also found this book to handle so many unique topics including book smuggling, found family and also so many interesting twists that caught me off guard. I really love how books became a character in this read and loved the focus on them as tool in this revolution. I thought this was clear standalone that def tugged at my heartstrings at the end. Will def read more show more by this author in the future. show less

I got this book for review and felt that is was a 4.5 stars review.

I found this book to be such a gem. I loved how this book tackled a time period that i was unaware of. I like how this book focused on a quiet resistance and really found that to be charming and so much fun to read about. I also liked how the main character drew so dramatically from the start of this read. I also found this book to handle so many unique topics including book smuggling, found family and also so many interesting twists that caught me off guard. I really love how books became a character in this read and loved the focus on them as tool in this revolution. I thought this was clear standalone that def tugged at my heartstrings at the end. Will def read more show more by this author in the future. show less

Audra has been largely kept in the dark about the work her family is doing. Her father performs street magic. Her parents also smuggle books into Lithuanian in their language, something strictly forbidden by the Russians who are in control of the country. The story begins in 1893. Audra is given a package and told to run to Milda as her parents are arrested. She doesn't know how to read or write, but she is clever and makers her way. She learns about the book smuggling that has been going on and soon wants to get involved despite the dangers. She faces ethical dilemmas about turning over smugglers to free her parents, who have been sent to Siberia. An action packed read about the importance of books, ideas, language, and history for a show more people and what people are willing to do for their freedom. Audra along with her friend Lukas are willing to go to great lengths, face danger, and have to use every trick up their sleeve to fight for freedom. show less

I received an ARC of this book, due out October 2019.

Important historical (and current) topic about cultural identity tied to books and the power of the written word, set in the late 1800s when Russia banned Lithuanian books. When her parents are arrested and her home torched, Audra discovers that her parents were book smugglers, getting books into as many Lithuanian hands as possible in order to stand against the Cossacks. And yet, her parents, despite their mission, have never taught Audra to read, most likely trying to protect her.

I am, of course, adding this to my 4th/5th grade school library, but I didn't find this read as satisfying as I would have liked. There were too many times I simply could not "suspend disbelief" over how show more often the main characters were able to escape the Cossacks and survived harrowing conditions. Details were missing. Inconsistencies. Even the cover, while a general representation of the theme, does not depict any singular event in the book (no fault of the author there). And Audra teaches herself to read rather too quickly, begins writing stories, and has the same revelation about books repeatedly. show less

Good historical fiction, based on extensive research by Jennifer Nielsen about the knygnesiai, the book smugglers of Lithuania, who did everything possible to keep their culture alive during the Russian occupation of their Baltic homeland in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Audra is shy and sheltered child, and knows her father is away, but thinks he is a travelling magician. She has no idea that he is part of the underground resistance, and when the Cossacks show up at their home, she is handed a backpack and told to find a women in a distant town. Audra is helped by her schoolmates, whom she barely knows, gets lost and is rescued by a thief named Lukas, who helps her on her mission. She finds the old woman, who has a library of books, show more and who runs a small school for children in her basement hideaway. With the help of Lukas's friend Ben, they find that Audra has a talent for misdirection and they become part of the network , trying to stay one step ahead of the Cossacks. Some surprising plot twists. Well done. show less

12 year old Audra gets the shock of her life in the 1890s when Cossack soldiers come to her farm and take her parents away. She runs off into the woods with just her father's backpack and the directions to deliver a package to a place she's never been before. This is the start of her book smuggling, and a life of fear and adventure, never knowing who to trust. Eventually she meets a boy about her own age, Lukas, who is able to teach her the ropes and watch over her. An excellent book that describes the time when Russia would not allow the Lithuanians anything of their own culture in hopes that they would assimilate into their culture. With turmoil between turning in friends and giving up the smuggling for hope of getting her parents show more back, the rights of individuals, and the importance of free speech and words, this is a great for discussion for grades 5-8. show less