So I've had this book on my shelf since last summer. I've been so busy with school books that I haven't had time to read it and I didn't want to start it and then have to stop and leave it. This past weekend we were to Missouri for my cousin's wedding and so I was in a car for 7 hours which was the perfect opportunity to read this book. I'm glad I waited.
This is the story of Lina, a Lithuanian girl who along with her mother, father, and brother are taken from their homes by the Russians just prior to WWII. This is a chapter of history that is overshadowed because it occurred so closely to the Holocaust but it is just as important and should be discussed. Lina, her mother, and brother are send to Siberia to a work camp where they are forced to live in the most horrible conditions imaginable. Through all this, Lina captures the story of her people through her drawings.
This book is beautifully written. I don't want to go into detail about the plot other than what I stated above because this book is something that should be experienced. The author does an amazing job of painting a picture of the hardship these people went through. While Lina and her family are fictional, the author did extensive research on what occurred during this time period and took different first hand accounts to tell the story of Lina and her family. If you decide to read this book be sure to read the author's notes as they help give a good understanding of the author's interest in this story. This chapter of history is not widely known and it is important for people to read and understand as it had a major impact on the countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia all of which were wiped from the map until 1991 when they were able to regain their independence. This book is a story of courage and survival. I highly recommend it.
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