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Words on Fire
Danger is never far from Audra's family farm in Lithuania. She always avoids the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous.
When Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate.
As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?
When Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate.
As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
44 books8,624 followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,499 reviews
October 15, 2019
I wasn't expecting to like this book so much, man, but it was absolute perfection.
CHARACTERS:
>Audra, our protagonist, is a quiet but feisty girl. She's also absolutely precious, has real goals and dreams, and is just amazing in general. She does magic tricks, makes smoke bombs, dresses up as a corpse, finds the most out-of-the-box solution to every problem, and is basically one of Nielsen's protagonists for the real world. I loved her.
>Lukas, the other main character, is a sassy little thief who's brilliant for being so young and is utterly adorable. I shipped him and Audra way too hard and I loved him. And the plot twist about his life...oh my word. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
>I wished Ben could've been in more scenes because he was amazing, but I loved him, too.
>Audra's parents! Were! So! Tragic! And! Precious!
>Rosakov ended up being such a complex figure, which I wasn't expecting at all and which I loved. So wonderful.
>Basically, Nielsen is the queen of characters. *smirks*
>The setting, too, was fantastic. I had never heard of the Lithuanian book smugglers, but this story really delved into them and their lives and it was brilliant. It's a small slice of history and not a well-known one, but so fascinating.
>Nielsen's books are also incredibly snappy and quick-paced. She always makes the story just long enough to fit itself--it doesn't drag, it doesn't feel rushed. It's perfect.
>Also, that ending though.
Overall? LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVED this story. I absolutely recommend it. 5 stars!!!!
CHARACTERS:
>Audra, our protagonist, is a quiet but feisty girl. She's also absolutely precious, has real goals and dreams, and is just amazing in general. She does magic tricks, makes smoke bombs, dresses up as a corpse, finds the most out-of-the-box solution to every problem, and is basically one of Nielsen's protagonists for the real world. I loved her.
>Lukas, the other main character, is a sassy little thief who's brilliant for being so young and is utterly adorable. I shipped him and Audra way too hard and I loved him. And the plot twist about his life...oh my word. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
>I wished Ben could've been in more scenes because he was amazing, but I loved him, too.
>Audra's parents! Were! So! Tragic! And! Precious!
>Rosakov ended up being such a complex figure, which I wasn't expecting at all and which I loved. So wonderful.
>Basically, Nielsen is the queen of characters. *smirks*
>The setting, too, was fantastic. I had never heard of the Lithuanian book smugglers, but this story really delved into them and their lives and it was brilliant. It's a small slice of history and not a well-known one, but so fascinating.
>Nielsen's books are also incredibly snappy and quick-paced. She always makes the story just long enough to fit itself--it doesn't drag, it doesn't feel rushed. It's perfect.
>Also, that ending though.
Overall? LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVED this story. I absolutely recommend it. 5 stars!!!!
October 25, 2022
"_چطور می‌شه ملتی رو نابود کرد؟ فرهنگشون رو ازشون بگیر. چطور می‌شه چنین کاری کرد؟ باید زبانشون رو بگیری، تاریخ و هویتشون رو بگیری. چطور این کار رو می‌کنی؟
_کتاب‌هاشون رو ممنوع می‌کنی."
این کتاب درمورد زمانیه که کشور لیتوانی در سلطه‌ی روس بود و تزار، زبان لیتوانیایی و همچنین کتاب‌های لیتوانیایی رو ممنوع کرده بود.
داستان حول محور کتاب‌برها (knygnesiai) می‌گرده. این افراد کتاب‌ها رو قاچاق می‌کردند تا به دست مردم برسونند و نزارند که فرهنگ و زبان این کشور نابود بشه.
پدر و مادر آدرا (شخصیت اصلی کتاب) به دلیل قاچاق کتاب توسط قزاق‌ها دستگیر می‌شوند و آدرا می‌مونه و یک کتاب! درحالی که حتی نمی‌دونه کتاب‌ها چه ارزشی دارند...
اواسط داستان کمی کند پیش می‌رفت و به نظرم نویسنده نتونسته بود هیجان کافی رو به وجود بیاره ولی انتهای کتاب اوج بسیار خوبی گرفت و به شخصه بین احساسات شدید و هیجان گرفتار بودم. مردمی که فقط می‌خواستند به زبان خود کتاب بخونند و حرف بزنند، سزاوار این ظلم و ستم نبودند....🥲
در بخش سپاسگذاری، نویسنده چیز بسیار زیبایی نوشته بود که خوندنش خالی از لطف نیست:
"اگر ما برآیند آدم‌هایی که دوستشان داریم، چیزهایی که می‌دانیم، و هر کلمه‌ی فوق‌العاده‌ای که خوانده‌ایم نباشیم، پس کی هستیم؟"
_کتاب‌هاشون رو ممنوع می‌کنی."
این کتاب درمورد زمانیه که کشور لیتوانی در سلطه‌ی روس بود و تزار، زبان لیتوانیایی و همچنین کتاب‌های لیتوانیایی رو ممنوع کرده بود.
داستان حول محور کتاب‌برها (knygnesiai) می‌گرده. این افراد کتاب‌ها رو قاچاق می‌کردند تا به دست مردم برسونند و نزارند که فرهنگ و زبان این کشور نابود بشه.
پدر و مادر آدرا (شخصیت اصلی کتاب) به دلیل قاچاق کتاب توسط قزاق‌ها دستگیر می‌شوند و آدرا می‌مونه و یک کتاب! درحالی که حتی نمی‌دونه کتاب‌ها چه ارزشی دارند...
اواسط داستان کمی کند پیش می‌رفت و به نظرم نویسنده نتونسته بود هیجان کافی رو به وجود بیاره ولی انتهای کتاب اوج بسیار خوبی گرفت و به شخصه بین احساسات شدید و هیجان گرفتار بودم. مردمی که فقط می‌خواستند به زبان خود کتاب بخونند و حرف بزنند، سزاوار این ظلم و ستم نبودند....🥲
در بخش سپاسگذاری، نویسنده چیز بسیار زیبایی نوشته بود که خوندنش خالی از لطف نیست:
"اگر ما برآیند آدم‌هایی که دوستشان داریم، چیزهایی که می‌دانیم، و هر کلمه‌ی فوق‌العاده‌ای که خوانده‌ایم نباشیم، پس کی هستیم؟"
September 28, 2020
This is a story about book smugglers.
Lithuania is a small country by the Baltic Sea, near Russia. It's been swallowed by the Russian empire at various times in its history. In the late 19th century, it was illegal to speak the Lithuanian language, to read books printed in Lithuanian, to teach Lithuanian in schools, or even to pray in Lithuanian in the churches. Brave men and women risked everything to smuggle books into the country to keep their beloved language alive. To defy Russian oppression and Russian control.
13-year old Audra wants to join the book smugglers ... but can a scared kid really find the courage to make a difference?
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT STORY AND I STAN
*claps loudly*
Audra Zikaris is a vivid, unique character. I immediately "got" her personality; shy, stubborn, and suspicious, but possessed of a hidden cunning and determination which makes you root for her. Unlike some books where the young teen hero has Skillz and Savvy which seem to come out of nowhere, Audra's success as a book smuggler has a clear explanation: her background in magic and sleight-of-hand owing to her magician dad. Just as her dad did, she approaches every book heist like a con: instead of hiding from the soldiers and hoping they won't notice her, Audra quickly learns to "create the scene I want them to see." Distract them, fool them. Control the picture. Control the narrative. She reminded me of a wee young Sophie Devereaux (shout-out to my "Leverage" peeps ;)), and I was grinning all the way.
At one point, Audra even dressed like a corpse to get past the guards, in a very Leverage-esque move. Props to my girl.
My few quibbles:
Nielsen has a tendency to write what I call "dry text." Dry text being a series of actions or a "this is how we got from Point A to Point B" with no dialogue or internal emotion to spice it up. There was definitely less dry text in this novel than in Resistance, which I couldn't get through at all; but there were definitely rough patches which made me want to skim/skip.
The main villain (a Russian officer) got a half-hearted attempt at a redemption arc towards the end, which I definitely wasn't buying. I am predisposed to not like redemption arcs, so you're gonna have to work harder than that to convince me. :-P ESPECIALLY since it relied on the characters suddenly deciding, "well, this guy's not evil, he's just misguided" ... mmmmm, sweetie, he's definitely evil. *solemn head shake*
But all in all, this was a wonderful story about a time and place that's very close to my heart. My great-great-grandmother was born in Lithuania right around the time Words On Fire takes place. As a teenager, she ran through the woods, alone, to escape the Russian border guards who had orders to shoot would-be emigrants on sight. (Russia didn't want to lose its labor force.) There were a couple scenes in this book which had Audra running from the soldiers which really Hit Home. They Hit Home for me, Jeeves.
Highly recommended to historical fiction lovers and anyone looking for a clean middle-grade adventure!
Lithuania is a small country by the Baltic Sea, near Russia. It's been swallowed by the Russian empire at various times in its history. In the late 19th century, it was illegal to speak the Lithuanian language, to read books printed in Lithuanian, to teach Lithuanian in schools, or even to pray in Lithuanian in the churches. Brave men and women risked everything to smuggle books into the country to keep their beloved language alive. To defy Russian oppression and Russian control.
13-year old Audra wants to join the book smugglers ... but can a scared kid really find the courage to make a difference?
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT STORY AND I STAN
*claps loudly*
Audra Zikaris is a vivid, unique character. I immediately "got" her personality; shy, stubborn, and suspicious, but possessed of a hidden cunning and determination which makes you root for her. Unlike some books where the young teen hero has Skillz and Savvy which seem to come out of nowhere, Audra's success as a book smuggler has a clear explanation: her background in magic and sleight-of-hand owing to her magician dad. Just as her dad did, she approaches every book heist like a con: instead of hiding from the soldiers and hoping they won't notice her, Audra quickly learns to "create the scene I want them to see." Distract them, fool them. Control the picture. Control the narrative. She reminded me of a wee young Sophie Devereaux (shout-out to my "Leverage" peeps ;)), and I was grinning all the way.
At one point, Audra even dressed like a corpse to get past the guards, in a very Leverage-esque move. Props to my girl.
My few quibbles:
Nielsen has a tendency to write what I call "dry text." Dry text being a series of actions or a "this is how we got from Point A to Point B" with no dialogue or internal emotion to spice it up. There was definitely less dry text in this novel than in Resistance, which I couldn't get through at all; but there were definitely rough patches which made me want to skim/skip.
The main villain (a Russian officer) got a half-hearted attempt at a redemption arc towards the end, which I definitely wasn't buying. I am predisposed to not like redemption arcs, so you're gonna have to work harder than that to convince me. :-P ESPECIALLY since it relied on the characters suddenly deciding, "well, this guy's not evil, he's just misguided" ... mmmmm, sweetie, he's definitely evil. *solemn head shake*
But all in all, this was a wonderful story about a time and place that's very close to my heart. My great-great-grandmother was born in Lithuania right around the time Words On Fire takes place. As a teenager, she ran through the woods, alone, to escape the Russian border guards who had orders to shoot would-be emigrants on sight. (Russia didn't want to lose its labor force.) There were a couple scenes in this book which had Audra running from the soldiers which really Hit Home. They Hit Home for me, Jeeves.
Highly recommended to historical fiction lovers and anyone looking for a clean middle-grade adventure!
October 8, 2019
3 stars—
I really love Nielsen’s books, especially her historical fiction series. She does such a great job of telling the stories of some of the forgotten heroes of history and she does it with respect and style. Unfortunately, this is not my favorite of that series. It’s not a bad book by any means, I just had some issues with it. I felt a disconnect with Audra that I didn’t want to feel. She wasn’t as likable as Nielsen’s other characters. She strayed into that “idealist” territory, where a lot of preaching happens but not a lot of common sense. Of course books are important and for many people in Lithuania under Russian Imperial rule, they were a lifeline to their language and culture. For some reason, it just felt shallow. In the shadow of big country with a stronger army, the resistance seemed ineffectual. There was no balance between passive and military resistance. I know that the freedoms we enjoy today, of being able to drive to just about any store and buying any book we want, made book running then look like such a small thing. And that was my own shortcoming while reading this book. I just missed the emotions and feels that I got from her other books. I would still recommend this to history teachers and teens because there are excellent lessons to be learned. I personally felt distant from the story, and that makes me sad.
I really love Nielsen’s books, especially her historical fiction series. She does such a great job of telling the stories of some of the forgotten heroes of history and she does it with respect and style. Unfortunately, this is not my favorite of that series. It’s not a bad book by any means, I just had some issues with it. I felt a disconnect with Audra that I didn’t want to feel. She wasn’t as likable as Nielsen’s other characters. She strayed into that “idealist” territory, where a lot of preaching happens but not a lot of common sense. Of course books are important and for many people in Lithuania under Russian Imperial rule, they were a lifeline to their language and culture. For some reason, it just felt shallow. In the shadow of big country with a stronger army, the resistance seemed ineffectual. There was no balance between passive and military resistance. I know that the freedoms we enjoy today, of being able to drive to just about any store and buying any book we want, made book running then look like such a small thing. And that was my own shortcoming while reading this book. I just missed the emotions and feels that I got from her other books. I would still recommend this to history teachers and teens because there are excellent lessons to be learned. I personally felt distant from the story, and that makes me sad.
November 2, 2019
I.LOVED.THIS.BOOK.
This book was so masterful and beautiful and just everything good within 300 pages of AMAZINGLY GOOD AMAZINGNESS.
Anyway, I’m not making any sense so I’m just going to start ranting. Probably like 50% of people who read this review will just be like...🤨... but anywho.
I read this book in... 4 hours? Maybe? Part of that was because it was amazing but tbh, most of it was just that I was sitting at a Panera for three hours yesterday with nothing to do but read. So I read. And read. And read. And read. And finished this book.
Anywho I was planning on rant-raving for like thirty minutes but I suddenly realized I don’t have that time so FAREWELL.
Happy reading!!
P.S.
Yes, this book was totally clean (a little bit of violent content that would only be concerning for more sensitive readers). 😁
This book was so masterful and beautiful and just everything good within 300 pages of AMAZINGLY GOOD AMAZINGNESS.
Anyway, I’m not making any sense so I’m just going to start ranting. Probably like 50% of people who read this review will just be like...🤨... but anywho.
I read this book in... 4 hours? Maybe? Part of that was because it was amazing but tbh, most of it was just that I was sitting at a Panera for three hours yesterday with nothing to do but read. So I read. And read. And read. And read. And finished this book.
Anywho I was planning on rant-raving for like thirty minutes but I suddenly realized I don’t have that time so FAREWELL.
Happy reading!!
P.S.
Yes, this book was totally clean (a little bit of violent content that would only be concerning for more sensitive readers). 😁
February 6, 2022
Characters: Audra was a great character. I enjoyed seeing her take on her parents' mission after their arrests.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The main theme of this book was the importance of books and a country's history/culture. This was shown well as the Lithuanian book carriers fought against the ban Russia had placed on Lithuanian books.
Plot: Lots of close calls, confrontations with the antagonists, and book smuggling kept the plot moving along well.
Romance: Clean. Just a hint of romance in the last few pages.
Writing: Jennifer Nielsen has a clear, fast-paced writing style that worked well for this story.
Overall: Words on Fire was an exciting read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy clean fiction, middle-grade books, historical fiction, and suspense novels.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The main theme of this book was the importance of books and a country's history/culture. This was shown well as the Lithuanian book carriers fought against the ban Russia had placed on Lithuanian books.
Plot: Lots of close calls, confrontations with the antagonists, and book smuggling kept the plot moving along well.
Romance: Clean. Just a hint of romance in the last few pages.
Writing: Jennifer Nielsen has a clear, fast-paced writing style that worked well for this story.
Overall: Words on Fire was an exciting read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy clean fiction, middle-grade books, historical fiction, and suspense novels.
March 14, 2021
Miss Nielsen has done it again, given me so many thoughts and feelings I didn’t know I had
This is just such beautiful book.
Words on Fire is about Audra, a young girl living in the Russian occupied Lithuania. Where books are illegal, and book smuggling is deadly.
I truly loved this book. It was very touching and it really made me grateful for all the books I have and can read.
I actually really liked the characters, they weren’t over complicated, but they weren’t plain or basic… And they were actually relatable, wow
Audra was a nice MC. She wasn’t annoying for one thing. She was relatable and simple, but not basic. I love how she was brave and badass, and still simple and nice at the same time. I really loved her character, and how you could see her growth, and her development.
I did really like Lukas, he was probably my favorite character.
He was very fun, sweet, brave and enjoyable. I loved how he treated Audra with respect and as an equal, especially considering the times. I loved how loyal and caring he was, but he definitely wasn’t over protective.
Though the plot was a bit predictable at times, I’ll admit that I didn’t see some of those plot twists coming.
Words on Fire is such a beautiful story, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction...or really just anyone
This is just such beautiful book.
Words on Fire is about Audra, a young girl living in the Russian occupied Lithuania. Where books are illegal, and book smuggling is deadly.
I truly loved this book. It was very touching and it really made me grateful for all the books I have and can read.
I actually really liked the characters, they weren’t over complicated, but they weren’t plain or basic… And they were actually relatable, wow
My name is Audra. In my language, Lithuanian, it means storm
Audra was a nice MC. She wasn’t annoying for one thing. She was relatable and simple, but not basic. I love how she was brave and badass, and still simple and nice at the same time. I really loved her character, and how you could see her growth, and her development.
I did really like Lukas, he was probably my favorite character.
He was very fun, sweet, brave and enjoyable. I loved how he treated Audra with respect and as an equal, especially considering the times. I loved how loyal and caring he was, but he definitely wasn’t over protective.
Though the plot was a bit predictable at times, I’ll admit that I didn’t see some of those plot twists coming.
Words on Fire is such a beautiful story, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction...or really just anyone
February 9, 2020
Setting: Lithuania, 1893
How does one adequetely review a book that is so well- written that, if my eyelids hadn’t felt like lead at 2:00 a.m., I would have breathlessly continued reading until I finished it completely? A book that made me feel a wave of gratitude for the freedom I have to read any book I choose whenever I want. This one should be in every middle-grade and young adult classroom everywhere. Thank you, Jennifer Nielsen, from a person who loves books so much that she would rather read than eat!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg.78)-“How do you destroy a people? You take away their culture. And how is that done? You must take their language,their history, their very identity. How would you do that... You ban their books.”
How does one adequetely review a book that is so well- written that, if my eyelids hadn’t felt like lead at 2:00 a.m., I would have breathlessly continued reading until I finished it completely? A book that made me feel a wave of gratitude for the freedom I have to read any book I choose whenever I want. This one should be in every middle-grade and young adult classroom everywhere. Thank you, Jennifer Nielsen, from a person who loves books so much that she would rather read than eat!
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg.78)-“How do you destroy a people? You take away their culture. And how is that done? You must take their language,their history, their very identity. How would you do that... You ban their books.”
March 14, 2021
Good historical fiction, based on extensive research by Jennifer Nielsen about the knygnesiai, the book smugglers of Lithuania, who did everything possible to keep their culture alive during the Russian occupation of their Baltic homeland in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Audra is shy and sheltered child, and knows her father is away, but thinks he is a travelling magician. She has no idea that he is part of the underground resistance, and when the Cossacks show up at their home, she is handed a backpack and told to find a women in a distant town. Audra is helped by her schoolmates, whom she barely knows, gets lost and is rescued by a thief named Lukas, who helps her on her mission. She finds the old woman, who has a library of books, and who runs a small school for children in her basement hideaway. With the help of Lukas's friend Ben, they find that Audra has a talent for misdirection and they become part of the network , trying to stay one step ahead of the Cossacks. Some surprising plot twists. Well done.
May 26, 2021
Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen is historically-based fiction about the oppression and subjugation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union. Their goal is the total destruction of Lithuania and absorption into the Soviet Union. Our protagonist is a young girl named Audra who always tries to avoid any contact with the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language and history of Lithuania in an attempt to destroy their past; all the steps totalitarian states need to take to destroy an occupied population. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous. When the Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate. As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement that is reviving Lithuania's past. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to also rescue her parents? The author demonstrates the power of words to fight evil!
August 25, 2020
This was such a powerful book! Words are power, BOOKS are power! Don't ever let anyone take them from you.
By the end of this book I was literally crying! I felt worn out emotionally. The things people did just to get one single book was outstanding! Never, ever, take books for granted, they are a gift and we should cherish them. The next time you get bored with reading, or you ask yourself, "Why read?". Read this book.
Books are a gift.
By the end of this book I was literally crying! I felt worn out emotionally. The things people did just to get one single book was outstanding! Never, ever, take books for granted, they are a gift and we should cherish them. The next time you get bored with reading, or you ask yourself, "Why read?". Read this book.
Books are a gift.
September 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. I am Lithuanian myself, and my family immigrated to America because of what was occurring in Lithuania (in this book). I recommend reading this, as it is easy to read and people don't know about what occurred.
March 22, 2022
This book was...alright. The thing with me is that I'm not a big middle-grade reader. Every once in a while, I try to read a new one. And every single time it ever so slightly lets me down. So when my book club chose ya fiction or middle grade for this month I was a bit skeptical.
This book and I say this about a lot but I do mean it in this, had potential. The idea was there, and it was a damn good one too. What I wished it would have done was to shine more light on the political aspects of this story. This book had a plethora of social commentaries but lacked some really meaningful ones that could be in this story.
If she were to cut out some of the filler moments and replace them with some more rich, important-to-talk-about discussions, this book would increase in quality tenfold.
The writing in this also felt quite bland and simplistic. Of course, I can't expect this to include huge, SAT words that no one can understand, but the text felt very lackluster and tone-deaf. There was nothing that could fully keep me entertained while maintaining the history and dystopic aspect of it. It felt kind of one or the other when it could have been both.
all in all: not my thing but still will recommend to everyone
This book and I say this about a lot but I do mean it in this, had potential. The idea was there, and it was a damn good one too. What I wished it would have done was to shine more light on the political aspects of this story. This book had a plethora of social commentaries but lacked some really meaningful ones that could be in this story.
If she were to cut out some of the filler moments and replace them with some more rich, important-to-talk-about discussions, this book would increase in quality tenfold.
The writing in this also felt quite bland and simplistic. Of course, I can't expect this to include huge, SAT words that no one can understand, but the text felt very lackluster and tone-deaf. There was nothing that could fully keep me entertained while maintaining the history and dystopic aspect of it. It felt kind of one or the other when it could have been both.
all in all: not my thing but still will recommend to everyone
February 4, 2020
I love how it touched on an often over-looked period and place in history (especially since I have roots in a nearby country), but the writing style and characters didn't click for me. It also felt lacking in polish when it came to foreshadowing, and some twists seemed a little too convenient. Perhaps just not for me!
June 22, 2019
“How do you destroy a people? You take away their culture. And how is that done? You must take their language, their history, their very identity. How would you do that?”
I pressed my lips together, then looked up at her. “You ban their books.” (78)
Jennifer Nielsen’s newest novel takes place during the Russian occupation of Lithuania (1795-1918), specifically the time period between June and November 1893. After the January Uprising of 1863-1864, there was a forty-year ban on the Lithuanian language, press, and books. Young adolescent Audra lives on a farm with her parents and is illiterate—by choice. She chooses not to go to school or learn to read or write. When her parents are arrested and their house burned, Audra, who describes herself as “the girl who watched life from afar but rarely participated” (2) escapes, having been entrusted by her parents with a package to deliver. When she finds out that they risked their lives to deliver merely a book, she is dismayed.
Through her new friends—Lukas, Ben, and Milda, who are book smugglers like her parents—Audra learns to read, to write, and the importance of books to her people and to preserve her culture, and she willingly becomes a book smuggler, even again the wishes of these new friends who fear for her safety. “I’d seen a glimpse of myself as I wished to be, a reflection of who I might become if I allowed courage to enter my heart, or ideas to enter my head…. When I imagined the girl I wanted to be, it was the girl who smuggled books.” (111-112)
Constantly in danger, Audra becomes inventive, using her father’s magic and her awakening sense of story to evade and escape the Cossacks. She has complicated decisions to make as she tries to save both her parents from prison in Siberia, but at the same time, her new friends and herself. And the books.
A novel of adventure, danger, courage, secrets, ideas and ideals, and strong adolescent characters “honoring the knygnesiai—the book carriers, who are among the true heroes of Lithuanian history” (Author Acknowledgments). Words on Fire is another story that teaches a part of history we seldom study.
I pressed my lips together, then looked up at her. “You ban their books.” (78)
Jennifer Nielsen’s newest novel takes place during the Russian occupation of Lithuania (1795-1918), specifically the time period between June and November 1893. After the January Uprising of 1863-1864, there was a forty-year ban on the Lithuanian language, press, and books. Young adolescent Audra lives on a farm with her parents and is illiterate—by choice. She chooses not to go to school or learn to read or write. When her parents are arrested and their house burned, Audra, who describes herself as “the girl who watched life from afar but rarely participated” (2) escapes, having been entrusted by her parents with a package to deliver. When she finds out that they risked their lives to deliver merely a book, she is dismayed.
Through her new friends—Lukas, Ben, and Milda, who are book smugglers like her parents—Audra learns to read, to write, and the importance of books to her people and to preserve her culture, and she willingly becomes a book smuggler, even again the wishes of these new friends who fear for her safety. “I’d seen a glimpse of myself as I wished to be, a reflection of who I might become if I allowed courage to enter my heart, or ideas to enter my head…. When I imagined the girl I wanted to be, it was the girl who smuggled books.” (111-112)
Constantly in danger, Audra becomes inventive, using her father’s magic and her awakening sense of story to evade and escape the Cossacks. She has complicated decisions to make as she tries to save both her parents from prison in Siberia, but at the same time, her new friends and herself. And the books.
A novel of adventure, danger, courage, secrets, ideas and ideals, and strong adolescent characters “honoring the knygnesiai—the book carriers, who are among the true heroes of Lithuanian history” (Author Acknowledgments). Words on Fire is another story that teaches a part of history we seldom study.
Read
December 9, 2019DNF
April 13, 2020
I just looked at some of the reviews and noticed that one very brilliant Goodreads reviewer mentioned that this book, WORDS ON FIRE should have received the attention given to THE BOOK THIEF (which for me a disappointment). This little book was full of exciting adventure, yet I fear might be overlooked because of its driving audience .. however, I have never known a young reader who is not willing to share their cherished books. So, let me jump in with them and exclaim, "READ THIS BOOK."
How do you make people feel powerful?
"You give them books?"
YES, you give them books! This little book takes you on an adventure in the faraway country of Lithuania occupied by Russians "Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language." Sounds like a familiar historical statement doesn't it?
The thing that I liked about the story is that it clearly examples how important books are to society in a way that adults cannot possibly do just by stating it... it has to come with an example that is relatable. Hopefully, this will inspire a love of reading BOOKS.... Books, Books, Books... I think this is about the age (5th, 6th, or 7th) that I began a romance with books and history and WORDS ON FIRE reflects both.
The book touches on love, family, loyalty, country and indicates that middle school kids can make responsible choices and contributes to causes bigger than they are. The book shows kids in difficult situations that require they critically evaluate and respond to with a plan... critical thinking skills? You bet!
I ENJOYED this book, so much, in fact. I can't think of who I wouldn't recommend it to ... so I deem it readable by everyone!
Happy Reading!
PS. I just noted that the dreadful "book bog" in the middle of most books didn't show up in this book... or maybe I just didn't notice it.
PSS. I just love the cover, don't you?
How do you make people feel powerful?
"You give them books?"
YES, you give them books! This little book takes you on an adventure in the faraway country of Lithuania occupied by Russians "Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language." Sounds like a familiar historical statement doesn't it?
The thing that I liked about the story is that it clearly examples how important books are to society in a way that adults cannot possibly do just by stating it... it has to come with an example that is relatable. Hopefully, this will inspire a love of reading BOOKS.... Books, Books, Books... I think this is about the age (5th, 6th, or 7th) that I began a romance with books and history and WORDS ON FIRE reflects both.
The book touches on love, family, loyalty, country and indicates that middle school kids can make responsible choices and contributes to causes bigger than they are. The book shows kids in difficult situations that require they critically evaluate and respond to with a plan... critical thinking skills? You bet!
I ENJOYED this book, so much, in fact. I can't think of who I wouldn't recommend it to ... so I deem it readable by everyone!
Happy Reading!
PS. I just noted that the dreadful "book bog" in the middle of most books didn't show up in this book... or maybe I just didn't notice it.
PSS. I just love the cover, don't you?
July 3, 2019
This young adult novel is a great lesson in the struggle that many nations/people have faced in our world. Lithuania in a time of turmoil under the occupation of Russia is a place that it is not safe to speak, read or write in Lithuanian. The Russians are doing their best to eradicate a people’s culture and history. They goal to assimilate the Lithuanians into Russian life and turn them into Russians.
Why is one country always so brutal as to think that other countries ought to follow their culture, customs, traditions and language? The oppression is heavy and the Lithuanian people are paying a terrible price that will take decades to overcome.
Our story is about two teenagers (alright barely teenagers, 13 years of age) who become book smugglers to bring the banned books of Lithuania to the people. They become criminals to strive to keep alive heritage and culture. They go against everything Russian. And, they will pay a heavy price.
Audra watches as her parents are arrested, her home is burned and her life is turned upside down. But instead of giving in she becomes a book smuggler and strives to rescue her parents and her country from the occupying Cossack army. Will she succeed? Will she discover her own heritage? Will she find her parents?
All these questions will be answered in a novel that brings to light the struggle of a people and their desire to just live their lives in freedom in their own culture.
Enjoy!
Why is one country always so brutal as to think that other countries ought to follow their culture, customs, traditions and language? The oppression is heavy and the Lithuanian people are paying a terrible price that will take decades to overcome.
Our story is about two teenagers (alright barely teenagers, 13 years of age) who become book smugglers to bring the banned books of Lithuania to the people. They become criminals to strive to keep alive heritage and culture. They go against everything Russian. And, they will pay a heavy price.
Audra watches as her parents are arrested, her home is burned and her life is turned upside down. But instead of giving in she becomes a book smuggler and strives to rescue her parents and her country from the occupying Cossack army. Will she succeed? Will she discover her own heritage? Will she find her parents?
All these questions will be answered in a novel that brings to light the struggle of a people and their desire to just live their lives in freedom in their own culture.
Enjoy!
February 2, 2024
✨ 4 stars ✨
❝Books themselves are freedom. Freedom to think, to believe, to dream.❞
❝My name is Audra. In my language, Lithuanian, it means storm. But my language has become illegal [. . .] So I avoided saying my name in public, but I often wondered: if my language was forbidden, then my name was forbidden. Which meant I had no name. Which left me perfectly free to do everything I could to defy the Russian occupiers.❞
❝Well, as you all know, your mother's name, Audra, means 'storm'. And so she is, children. She was a storm that helped bring freedom to all of us.❞
I really enjoyed this book; it was beautifully written and the characters were so great! Historical fiction always takes me longer to read and is not always very exciting, but this book? Actually really seriously very exciting. If you are like me and are hesitant to read historical fiction (because, let's face it--it's not usually as exciting as we'd like it to be.), please don't hesitate to read this one! YOU WILL REGRET IT.
The writing: 👌🏻
The characters: 😍
The plot: 🎢
The BACKSTORY: 😭
This is a must read!
Last quote, I promise!
❝For who are we all, if not the product of who we love, what we know, and every wonderful word that we have read?❞
I hope you enjoy the book!
(shout-out: thanks for the book, Ava!)
❝Books themselves are freedom. Freedom to think, to believe, to dream.❞
❝My name is Audra. In my language, Lithuanian, it means storm. But my language has become illegal [. . .] So I avoided saying my name in public, but I often wondered: if my language was forbidden, then my name was forbidden. Which meant I had no name. Which left me perfectly free to do everything I could to defy the Russian occupiers.❞
❝Well, as you all know, your mother's name, Audra, means 'storm'. And so she is, children. She was a storm that helped bring freedom to all of us.❞
I really enjoyed this book; it was beautifully written and the characters were so great! Historical fiction always takes me longer to read and is not always very exciting, but this book? Actually really seriously very exciting. If you are like me and are hesitant to read historical fiction (because, let's face it--it's not usually as exciting as we'd like it to be.), please don't hesitate to read this one! YOU WILL REGRET IT.
The writing: 👌🏻
The characters: 😍
The plot: 🎢
The BACKSTORY: 😭
This is a must read!
Last quote, I promise!
❝For who are we all, if not the product of who we love, what we know, and every wonderful word that we have read?❞
I hope you enjoy the book!
(shout-out: thanks for the book, Ava!)
September 26, 2020
This was our first Nielen book and we LOVED it.
I loved it because the Littles were attentive and listening whenever we had to turned on. They were learning History and learning to empathize with someone and a culture so different to theirs.
The storyline follows a girl who becomes a book smuggler. Books and words are that important yes!
The Littles said it was exciting and scary.
I'm definitely looking into her other books for us.
I loved it because the Littles were attentive and listening whenever we had to turned on. They were learning History and learning to empathize with someone and a culture so different to theirs.
The storyline follows a girl who becomes a book smuggler. Books and words are that important yes!
The Littles said it was exciting and scary.
I'm definitely looking into her other books for us.
July 28, 2024
موقع خوندن می‌خواستم ۳ بدم ولی نیمه دومش خیلی لذت‌بخش بود و چون جنیفر نیلسنه دلم نمی‌آد.
January 29, 2021
Thought about this review a lot while reading the book :) you know what that means :)
Words on Fire is a perfectly good book, should be in classrooms, would wholeheartedly recommend to middle grade readers.
But something about it just did not jive with me? And I /could/ list all the sentences that I came up with while reading that tried to get a handle on what wasn't working, but then this review would be Long and Negative and Unnecessary. All I'll say is that the setting, premise, plot were all fine and great, but there just seemed to be something missing all throughout. (All I have is a semi-grotesque body metaphor, sorry in advance.) It felt like it was missing a bunch of connective tissue? Like the book was a bunch of bones and skin and they just weren't connected correctly, just rattling against each other. There would be long, impassioned speeches about the main themes of the book, but so little of the groundwork on the way there. Middle grade protagonists are often a bit of a tabula rasa, and I get that and accept it as part of the form and audience, but Audra felt especially empty. It was also WILDLY distracting how young she was. She had motivation, but that was pretty much it. All this missing connective tissue sent us from motivation to motivation, from plot event to plot event, along the journey jerkily and without a lot of cohesion.
This book's plot started all at once suddenly, and I was expecting to get my feet under me but never managed to. But I did appreciate that it was about a period of history I didn't know anything about. I just wish it had been as satisfying as a Ruta Sepetys book or heck, even my fond memories of the Dear America books.
Words on Fire is a perfectly good book, should be in classrooms, would wholeheartedly recommend to middle grade readers.
But something about it just did not jive with me? And I /could/ list all the sentences that I came up with while reading that tried to get a handle on what wasn't working, but then this review would be Long and Negative and Unnecessary. All I'll say is that the setting, premise, plot were all fine and great, but there just seemed to be something missing all throughout. (All I have is a semi-grotesque body metaphor, sorry in advance.) It felt like it was missing a bunch of connective tissue? Like the book was a bunch of bones and skin and they just weren't connected correctly, just rattling against each other. There would be long, impassioned speeches about the main themes of the book, but so little of the groundwork on the way there. Middle grade protagonists are often a bit of a tabula rasa, and I get that and accept it as part of the form and audience, but Audra felt especially empty. It was also WILDLY distracting how young she was. She had motivation, but that was pretty much it. All this missing connective tissue sent us from motivation to motivation, from plot event to plot event, along the journey jerkily and without a lot of cohesion.
This book's plot started all at once suddenly, and I was expecting to get my feet under me but never managed to. But I did appreciate that it was about a period of history I didn't know anything about. I just wish it had been as satisfying as a Ruta Sepetys book or heck, even my fond memories of the Dear America books.
May 22, 2020
This book is about a Lithuanian girl named Audra, who lives with her parents in a house near the forest. One day, the Cossacks light up the house, so Audra has to flee with a package that her parents have given her. She decides to deliver the package and search for her parents. I like this book because it's very interesting and touching.
March 27, 2022
I cried then stopped crying then 2 mins later cried some more ):)
December 3, 2022
Absolutely loved this story!
November 19, 2021
42 chapters of amazing story
January 3, 2022
A very good book loved it.
January 18, 2024
love the main charecter
May 8, 2020
Ok wow. First of all, this book deserves 1000 stars, but I can't really put that on here, so 5 stars will have to do. Audra is literally the bravest person in the history of brave people. She risks her own life so that others might have joy through reading. She taught me that bravery doesn't mean that you aren't ever scared, but it means that you have the courage to fight for what's right even though there are challenges. Before I read this book, I never really realized how blessed I am that I am able to read the books I want to read, and that I don't have to hide my books. Audra and her family (plus many, many others) don't have that privilege, yet they smuggle books so that others can have the happiness that comes with reading. This was an amazing, heartfelt story about fighting for what you believe in, the importance of friendship, and, of course, the joy that comes from reading books. Audra herself learns to read in this book, and my favorite quote from the book is when she is learning to do just that:
"At first, they were only words just as before, words I could speak and think, so why was it necessary to read them? But slowly, almost without my realizing what was happening, the words came to mean more because of how they were combined with other words. Words became ideas and thoughts, and it was just as Lukas had said-those thoughts were seeds that sprouted new ideas in my mind, growing and taking me to places I'd never known existed. Words! they weren't simply a formation of letters to identify an object or action. How could they be so little when one sentence sent my heart pounding and another caused me to gasp with delight? How could they mean nothing when they lingered in my mind, followed me into my dreams, and challenged everything I'd always believed?"
The ending was also amazing, and it made me so happy that I cried. This was definitely my favorite book by Jennifer Nielsen, and I would recommend it to anyone!!
"At first, they were only words just as before, words I could speak and think, so why was it necessary to read them? But slowly, almost without my realizing what was happening, the words came to mean more because of how they were combined with other words. Words became ideas and thoughts, and it was just as Lukas had said-those thoughts were seeds that sprouted new ideas in my mind, growing and taking me to places I'd never known existed. Words! they weren't simply a formation of letters to identify an object or action. How could they be so little when one sentence sent my heart pounding and another caused me to gasp with delight? How could they mean nothing when they lingered in my mind, followed me into my dreams, and challenged everything I'd always believed?"
The ending was also amazing, and it made me so happy that I cried. This was definitely my favorite book by Jennifer Nielsen, and I would recommend it to anyone!!
March 16, 2020
This is the sort of historical fiction book that resonates with you. Words on Fire, as the name implies, shows how powerful words and books can be and truly were during the Soviet oppression of Lithuania. Audra’s story begins between WWI and WWII and travels with her as she learns what books mean to the people of her country and how simply gaining knowledge can help lead to freedom. During her time as a book smuggler, she helps lead a resistance of historical important a that is still today glossed over.
We all know of the rise of nationalism in Europe prior to WWI and how it led to the “Great War”. We all know of Hitler and the Holocaust he led. An increasing number of people learn of Stalin’s gulags, Mao’s re-education camps, the the Rape of Nanking. More should know of the Lithuanian Holocaust, though, as Nielsen portrays here with beautiful writing, well fleshed-out characters, and shocking twists that gave me goosebumps. I think this would be a great novel for the youth of today to read in teaching about major events of the 20th century.
We all know of the rise of nationalism in Europe prior to WWI and how it led to the “Great War”. We all know of Hitler and the Holocaust he led. An increasing number of people learn of Stalin’s gulags, Mao’s re-education camps, the the Rape of Nanking. More should know of the Lithuanian Holocaust, though, as Nielsen portrays here with beautiful writing, well fleshed-out characters, and shocking twists that gave me goosebumps. I think this would be a great novel for the youth of today to read in teaching about major events of the 20th century.
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