The War Below, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

The War Below is written for upper middle grade readers and is a wonderful look at WW2 as it pertained to those in the Ukraine; it saddens me that we haven't learned our lessons yet and the Ukraine is again being subjected to war. But, that is for another post...

The War Below follows Luka, a 12-year old who escapes slave labor (his crime being from the Ukraine) and follows him through his journey. He is taken in for a time and actually saved from likely death, by a German couple, whose son worked at the camp that Luka escaped. Unfortunately, the story moved past this event (for me, I would have liked to have seen that unfold more). However, the story then picks up and shows Luka saved, again, by a Czech girl, 10-year old Martina. The pair survive for a time in the wilderness until things get out of their control and they wind up in an underground hospital.

It is at this point where both Luka and Martina find their places in the war - both are young heroes who help many.

The War Below is an extremely important read as it shows the real devastation of family, community, and country during war. I feel this book is important to encourage teachers and parents to share with their kiddos - something needs to change in our contentious world and maybe those of the younger generation can see the travesty war creates and prevent it from continuing.

A well-written book with a solid message.