Synopses & Reviews
Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse calls this story for readers of
The Book Thief and
Between Shades of Gray “a fine and haunting work.” Blending magical realism and lyrical free verse, this is an intense survival story of three siblings caught up in the horrific events of the Armenian genocide of 1915.
It is 1914, and the Ottoman Empire is crumbling into violence.
Beyond Anatolia, in the Armenian Highlands, Shahen Donabedian dreams of going to New York. Sosi, his twin sister, never wants to leave her home, especially now that she is in love. At first, only Papa, who counts Turks and Kurds among his closest friends, stands in Shahen’s way. But when the Ottoman pashas set their plans to eliminate all Armenians in motion, neither twin has a choice.
After a horrifying attack leaves them orphaned, Shahen and Sosi flee into the mountains, carrying their little sister, Mariam. Shahen keeps their parents’ fate a secret from his sisters. But the children are not alone. An eagle named Ardziv watches over them as they run at night and hide each day, making their way across mountain ridges and rivers red with blood.
Review
“I have walked through the remnants of the Armenian civilization in Palu and Chunkush, I have stood on the banks of the Euphrates. And still I was unprepared for how deeply moved I would be by Dana Walrath’s poignant, unflinching evocation of the Armenian Genocide. Her beautiful poetry and deft storytelling stayed with me long after I had finished this powerful novel in verse.” Chris Bohjalian, author of The Sandcastle Girls and Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands
Review
“A heartbreaking tale of familial love, blind trust, and the crushing of innocence. A fine and haunting work.” Karen Hesse, Newbery Medal–winning author of Out of the Dust
Review
“This eloquent verse novel brings one of history’s great tragedies to life.” Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor–winning author of The Surrender Tree
Review
“This beautiful, yet at times brutally vivid, historical verse novel will bring this horrifying, tragic period to life for astute, mature readers.” School Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
"Evocative and hopeful," says Newbery Honor-Winner Rita Williams-Garcia of this intense survival story set during the Armenian genocide of 1915.
It is 1914, and the Ottoman Empire is crumbling into violence.
Beyond Anatolia, in the Armenian Highlands, Shahen Donabedian dreams of going to New York. Sosi, his twin sister, never wants to leave her home, especially now that she is in love. At first, only Papa, who counts Turks and Kurds among his closest friends, stands in Shahen's way. But when the Ottoman pashas set in motion their plans to eliminate all Armenians, neither twin has a choice.
After a horrifying attack leaves them orphaned, they flee into the mountains, carrying their little sister, Mariam. But the children are not alone. An eagle watches over them as they run at night and hide each day, making their way across mountain ridges and rivers red with blood.
A YALSA Best Fiction Nomination
A Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner
A CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book of the Year
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Yearwith Outstanding Merit
I have walked through the remnants of the Armenian civilization in Palu and Chunkush, I have stood on the banks of the Euphrates. And still I was unprepared for how deeply moved I would be by Dana Walrath s poignant, unflinching evocation of the Armenian Genocide. Her beautiful poetry and deft storytelling stayed with me long after I had finished this powerful novel in verse. Chris Bohjalian, author of The Sandcastle Girls and Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands
A heartbreaking tale of familial love, blind trust, and the crushing of innocence. A fine and haunting work. Karen Hesse, Newbery Medal winning author of Out of the Dust
This eloquent verse novel brings one of history s great tragedies to life. Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor winning author of The Surrender Tree
*"This beautiful, yet at times brutally vivid, historical verse novel will bring this horrifying, tragic period to life for astute, mature readers." School Library Journal, Starred
"A powerful tale balancing the graphic reality of genocide with a shining spirit of hope and bravery in young refugees coming to terms with their world." Booklist
The emotional impact these events had on individuals will certainly resonate. Kirkus Reviews"
About the Author
Dana Walrath, writer, poet, artist, Fulbright Scholar, and second generation Armenian, is committed to the movement for reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia. She believes an honest reckoning of history, apology and forgiveness is essential for healing and will help bring about peace in the future. She lives in Vermont.