Summary of Words on Fire

Audra is a Lithuanian girl living during the time of the press ban. She hadn’t known about the ban, because her parents had kept a lot of their secrets from her. She had never known they were hiding things from her until the summer she turned twelve, when Russian Cossack soldiers arrive at their home. Her father and mother give her a mysterious package, tell her who to deliver it to, and then instruct her to run away and not turn back. Audra is mortified as the Cossacks burn her home down and take her parents captive. After she delivered the package, she learned that her parents were secretly book smugglers. She then joined the resistance of book smugglers, hoping to bring her parents’ home. She made new friends, faced hard decisions, and was brave where courage was most needed. 

Review

Words on Fire, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is a compelling historical fiction set during the Lithuania Press Ban in the late 17th century. We follow Audra, a girl with wits and courage enough to smuggle books under the noses of the Russian Cossacks. A good book for independent readers.

Violence

There are a few scenes where the Cossacks attack, but no gore. There is a scene in which someone gets whipped. Nervous about that scene? Check out pages 124-125.

Language

None. No foul or even coarse language.

Relationship/Morality

None. There are no concerning relationships. Two of the main characters end up getting married at the end.

Magic or Spiritual Realms

None. There are no fantasy elements. The story is historical fiction.

Intense Scenes

The most intense scene is pages 303-305, when Audra, the main character almost drowns.

Positives Messages

This story shows the true power behind the meaning of words. Words mean things. Words can invoke ideas, educate, build, and inspire. Words can resist, and create a country, if they are brave enough to try.

• Ages 4-6: Not recommended
• Ages 7-8: Not recommended
• Ages 9-10: Not recommended
• Ages 11-12: Recommended
• Ages 13-15: Recommended
• Ages 16-18: Recommended

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