Twelve year old Lidia longs the play the piano, longs to see her father, and longs to live in a world at peace. But living in 1940's Warsaw, she's faced with the reality of war and lack. One day she realizes the horrors of the Jewish ghetto and determines to do something about it. But what can she do? Lidia and her friend begin sneaking in food, trying to help those that are starving. Still she wonders if there isn't more. Until one day, she finds a way to join the resistance. And her whole world changes. Based on the real life experiences of Polish teen, Lidia Zakrzewski, Uprising reveals the story of determined Polish nationalists who resist the Nazis and fight to reclaim their nation's freedom. It takes a closer look at the friendships they develop, the ways they must survive, and their hope for a better future.
We love Jennifer Nielsen books in this house. From my 12 year old to my 16 year old to myself, we devour her work. Nielsen has an amazing ability to draw readers into specific events in history and make the whole scene come to life. Uprising is no exception. Lidia is a complex character, filled with both inspiration and flaws. She's determined, stubborn, raw, and wounded: a relatable individual to be sure. The setting and the people really bring this period of history to life, and the themes of hope, fighting for what's right, and the resilience of the human spirit are an absolute inspiration. My only word of caution is that there are a few tense, descriptive points in the book that may be too much for middle grade readers. Uprising does not shy away from some of the rougher parts of war. I found myself internally cringing at some of Nielsen's descriptions and would rate this book more for ages 11-15. But overall, the author really did a great job of tackling a difficult part of history and drawing out the enduring optimism of real life heroes.
*Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment