Escape From Stalingrad by Andy Marino
Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups
Historical fiction
This is quite the shift from what I have been reading lately. I like historical fiction, but it can sometimes be a little harder to read because it could be true! When I read crazy thrillers about kids with powers, it is all in good fun because you know it is a story. This? This might have happened to a child. This, and much worse, probably happened during the war and could be happening now in the wars that are happening now!
Artem lives in Stalingrad with his mother and older brother. His older brother is off fighting with the Red Army. Artem and his mom are sent to work digging trenches and building fortifications. Then, the bombing begins. Artem is trapped in Stalingrad with his new friend, Yuna. They are trying to survive and take care of his injured mother.
I don’t know if I would have been as strong as these kids. They struggled so hard to find shelter, keep warm, and have a safe sleep place. They worked hard to find food and water. I know I have never been in this type of situation, but I can’t imagine I would be as successful. There was a character named Natasha, and she seemingly defected to Germany rather quickly to be taken care of. I fear I would have done the same. Either that or I would have just given up and tried to stay hidden. I don’t think I would have lasted long without food or water.
This is something that I hope I never have to find out. I hope never to have to face a time when my home is being destroyed by war.
Literary Coffee 