About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask big questions about why history matters or how one person can possibly stand up to an unfair system. It is a powerful choice for children who feel deeply about justice and the importance of their own voice. Audra's journey from a shy farm girl to a brave book smuggler in 19th-century Lithuania explores the weight of heritage and the courage required to protect it when it is under threat. While the story involves the real-world dangers of the Russian occupation, including soldiers and the threat of arrest, it is written with a middle-grade sensibility that emphasizes resilience over trauma. Parents will appreciate how Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves a fast-paced adventure that makes linguistic and cultural preservation feel as high-stakes as any fantasy quest. It is an excellent bridge for kids moving from action-adventure into more serious historical fiction.
