About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is beginning to question the fairness of the world or feels trapped by their own social or financial circumstances. It is a sophisticated, lyrical exploration of identity that uses the framework of a Russian folktale to examine how we define ourselves when our external world is stripped away. The story follows Elena, a girl living in extreme poverty, and Ekaterina, a privileged aristocrat, who accidentally swap lives. While the plot involves magic and the legendary Baba Yaga, the emotional core focuses on resilience and the shared humanity that exists beneath social status. This is a dense, rewarding read for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who enjoy complex language and philosophical questions about justice and destiny.
