I knew it was different because it wasn't only ink and paper being consumed by the flames, but also the characters themselves, and their worlds and feelings and stories. Also explored is the way writing and telling stories not only communicates ideas and preserves the past but also empowers the writer or teller of the stories. First of all, this book deserves 1000 stars, but I can't really put that on here, so 5 stars will have to do. This was a book I didn’t expect. We’d love your help. Middle-grade and Y.A. -- Booklist, starred review "[This] adventure about a little-known place and time . I like this book because it's very interesting and touching. The characters were amazing! . Perhaps just not for me! The best historical fiction books for kids Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. You take away their culture. It is amazing. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous. Historical fiction may include fictional characters, well-known historical figures or a mixture of the two. Why does learning about what happened a long time ago in a faraway place matter? The Traitor's Game Series . Jennifer A. Nielsen's young adult historical fiction novel, set in late-19th century Lithuania during Russian Cossack occupation, tells the tale of a young Lithuanian girl named Audra who finds herself in the "family business" of book smuggling at a time in which Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and language are banned. But there's enough of a story here, in an unusual time and place, to hold the interest of kids who enjoy historical fiction, and cleverly introduces some literary concepts like symbolism through the story-within-the-story of the girl, the snake, and the bear. Suggest an update to this review. Really enjoyed this inspirational book. This novel tells part of history I knew nothing about. At first Audra, 12, isn't interested in the larger world around her or the people and events in it. I am Lithuanian myself, and my family immigrated to America because of what was occurring in Lithuania (in this book). Parents need to know that Jennifer A. Nielsen's Words on Fire is a historical novel about Lithuania in the late 1800s, when Russia invaded and tried to suppress the people and their cultural identity by banning Lithuanian books and making Russian the official language. Book smuggling, secret reading, and freedom fighting...oh my! What would you risk for the written word? What countries is it near? The Captive Kingdom. I had the pleasure of speaking to a man one night at one of those ever-so-delightful network marketing meetings. During her time as a book smuggler, she helps lead a resistance of historical important a that is still today glossed over. The star rating reflects overall quality. Historical fiction is a literary genre that reconstructs past events in fictional stories. Good historical coverage of a very interesting place and time. An important character dies. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published This book is about a Lithuanian girl named Audra, who lives with her parents in a house near the forest. He's loyal and smart, and knows that even he can learn from someone inexperienced like Audra. Settings Language. How would you do that?”, I just looked at some of the reviews and noticed that one very brilliant Goodreads reviewer mentioned that this book, WORDS ON FIRE should have received the attention given to THE BOOK THIEF (which for me a disappointment). Why are they important? Other adults are helpful, patient, and caring. Taking away language and history destroys a people by destroying its culture. 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