review 1: While not a perfect literary execution, this book is a very good introduction to the lesser-known history of the Baltic countries during WWII. It was a fast read and very emotional. The intended audience is YA, so some of the more difficult issues such as rape are alluded to and not graphic, but I still would not recommend it for younger YA readers. However, as always, I love reading historical fiction because I learned things I never knew (namely Stalin's evacuation of Baltic citizens to Siberia) in a personal and memorable way. This is a good book. It is too bad the title is so similar to a different pornographic book. I was a little embarrassed to have this at the doctor's office in case someone mistook my reading material! review 2: This was one haunting a... morend heartbreaking story.It's about a young girl who, along with her family, is removed from her home in Lithuania. She doesn't understand why except that her father has been separated from the rest of the family. Throughout the story she tries to maintain contact with him as her family and other deported Lithuanians, Latvians and Finns are taken to Siberia. There she learns about what it is to be strong and to face all difficulties that everyone faces. She watches those who give up in the trials of adversity and those who retain their love and faith to make it through.For those that have never knew about what Stalin did (or even Hitler), there is a lot to be learned in this book. I would recommend it to everyone, to learn a little bit of history during World War II. less
