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The War Below Spiral-Bound | May 5, 2020

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

★★★★☆+ from 1,001 to 10,000 ratings

$16.68 - Free Shipping

This companion novel to Skrypuch's Making Bombs for Hitler follows a boy who joins the underground Ukrainian resistance in the fight against Hitler.

The Nazis took Luka from his home in Ukraine and forced him into a labor camp. Now, Luka has smuggled himself out - even though he left behind his dearest friend, Lida. Someday, he vows, he'll find her again.

But first, he must survive.

Racing through the woods and mountains, Luka evades capture by both Nazis and Soviet agents. Though he finds some allies, he never knows who to trust. As Luka makes difficult choices in order to survive, desperate rescues and guerilla raids put him in the line of fire. Can he persevere long enough to find Lida again or make it back home where his father must be waiting for him?

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch delivers another action-packed story, inspired by true events, of daring quests and the crucial decisions we make in the face of war.

Publisher: Scholastic (Trade Publishing)
Original Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1338608339
Item Weight: 0.88 lbs
Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.07 x 7.6 inches
Customer Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars 1,001 to 10,000 ratings
Praise for The War Below: "Skrypuch offers a compelling, visceral novel of survival that provides an unusual view of the war... The suspenseful story carries the reader along to its satisfying conclusion." -- Booklist "This story, full of numerous acts of compassion and valor, sheds welcome light on a less familiar battleground of World War II." -- Publishers Weekly"A riveting read." -- YA Books CentralPraise for Making Bombs for Hitler: "A gripping story that asks: What would you do to survive?" -- Alan Gratz, author of Prisoner B-3087 "Inspired by real, historical accounts, this is a powerful, harrowing story of transformation." -- Booklist"Skrypuch draws on real-life stories of survivors in telling Lida's poignant tale, and she creates a cast of young people who are devoted to one another in both thought and deed. . . . A well-told story of persistence, lost innocence, survival, and hope." -- Kirkus Reviews"The story [has a] strong undercurrent of friendship and loyalty; an author's note gives further background on this important piece of history." -- Publishers Weekly "Students will admire Lida's pluck amid such heinous conditions. . . . An absorbing read about the lesser-known Ukrainian experience during World War II, this is a solid choice for curricular ties and for middle school historical fiction collections." -- School Library Journal "Skrypuch has written a gripping, emotional novel of one Ukrainian girl's perseverance during the horrors of war. . . . This is a vivid picture of what youth experienced during World War II and the hopelessness of displaced populations of all backgrounds and religions." -- VOYA

Praise for The War Below:

“The subject matter is powerful and grows occasionally quite intense. A page-turning window into a complex piece of World War II history.” — Kirkus Reviews

“In this compelling work of historical ficition . . . [t]he youthful innocence of Luka’s narration, despite the numerous atrocities, losses, and betrayals he experiences, underscores the inherent risks of choosing trust and hope. This story, full of numerous acts of compassion and valor, sheds welcome light on a less familiar battleground of World War II.” — Publisher’s Weekly

MARSHA FORCHUK SKRYPUCH is a Ukrainian Canadian author acclaimed for her nonfiction and historical fiction, including Making Bombs for Hitler (Faire des bombes pour Hitler), The War Below (Soldat clandestin), Stolen Child (Enfant volée,et), and Don't Tell the Enemy (Ne dis rien l'ennemi). Marsha lives in Brantford, Ontario, and you can visit her online at www.calla.com.

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