This is a great historical fiction book that weaves a story of resistance through book smuggling and distribution in turn-of-the-century (1890s) Russia-controlled Lithuania.
When the Russian Tsar wipes the Lithuanian language off the map, forbidding its people to speak it, learn it, or possess books written in it, the Lithuanians resist -- with a righteous passion. They existed long before Russia took them over and continue to spread the knowledge of their language and history by clandestinely publishing and distributing books.
But it's super-dangerous work, and one night Russian soldiers raid 12-year-old Audra's parents' farmhouse, finding the Lithuanian books her father and mother help to smuggle and distribute. Audra escapes across a field while her house burns. Her mother injures herself and gives Audra a directive: find a woman in a nearby town and give her the wrapped-up package. At any cost, don't let the Russians get a hold of it.
Audra flees, not knowing what's in the package, or if her parents are hurt, arrested or killed.
A group of town children help her evade the Russian soldiers and give her vague directions for getting to the nearby town. In the forest she gets lost and meets a rakish young man who helps her find the road to the town and the old woman, who's one in a string of book smugglers. Together, the woman and the boy open Audra's eyes to the book smuggling going on all around her and why it's so important to learn to read Lithuanian.
I won't reveal the rest of the story from this point. Just know, it's an awesome read.
We read and loved one of Nielsen's other books, A Night Divided, and I just hadn't gotten around to checking out her other titles. We're excited to read her backlist.
Enjoy!
