You don't know what war is by Yeva Skalietska
Many of the war genre books published recently are often written about past events. You don’t know what war is: The diary of a young girl from Ukraine created by 12-year-old Yeva Skalietska, has been written this year: 2022. The thoughtful and poignant introduction by well-known writer Michael Morpurgo complements this book beautifully.
Yeva’s story begins with the joy of her 12th birthday on February 14, 2022, her family, friends, gifts and going bowling. She writes about her love of school and home life, and her happiness. This all ends in the early hours of February 24. Yeva and her beloved grandmother, Iryna, are thrown into a perilous situation which is described in great detail by Yeva through her detailed diary entries. Her recount of the dangerous days following the invasion by Russia are matter-of-factly recorded and interspersed with humour, photos, maps, world news headlines and group chat messages connecting us to her friends. The never-ending fear and depths of despair felt by Yeva touches the reader and will leave a lasting impression. Her maturity and understanding of her situation are shown over and over again by what she writes: “This really hurts. I spent my childhood there. Attacking my home is the same as attacking a piece of me. I feel like my heart is being squashed. There were such memories there…. I don’t care about the things themselves as much as I care about the memories they held.”
Yeva and her granny travel from Kharkiv through Ukraine to safer places, into Hungary and finally Dublin, Ireland. They are helped by so many kind and generous people who are thanked in the book, in particular a Channel 4 news crew who picked up Yeva’s story and shared it with the world. From Ukraine to Ireland: 12-year-old refugee Yeva reaches safety after Russia’s invasion – Channel 4 News
For students in Year 5 and above, this story told in a diary format, will give an understanding of the terror and hardship faced by innocent adults and children at the mercy of a cruel and greedy dictator. A thought-provoking and deeply moving read.
Themes: War, Ukraine, Diary, Terror, Danger, Refugees, Kindness, Hope.
Kathryn Beilby
