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Kidnapped from Ukraine #1
Under Attack
This gripping, accessible novel by celebrated Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch follows two sisters as they struggle to survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
12-year-old twin sisters Rada and Dariia Popkova couldn’t be more different. Dariia is outgoing and chatty while Rada is a quieter and artsy. But what they have in common is their love for each other and their home. The family lives in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is attacked by the Russians on Feb 24th, 2022.
The attack separates the family -- Dariia is with her mom and Rada with her dad. Dariia and her mother are then separated by Russian officials and Dariia is sent to live with a Russian family. As the war rages around them, the sisters and their family must overcome unimaginable hardships. But they will learn how powerful hope is in the face of disaster.
12-year-old twin sisters Rada and Dariia Popkova couldn’t be more different. Dariia is outgoing and chatty while Rada is a quieter and artsy. But what they have in common is their love for each other and their home. The family lives in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is attacked by the Russians on Feb 24th, 2022.
The attack separates the family -- Dariia is with her mom and Rada with her dad. Dariia and her mother are then separated by Russian officials and Dariia is sent to live with a Russian family. As the war rages around them, the sisters and their family must overcome unimaginable hardships. But they will learn how powerful hope is in the face of disaster.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
30 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
33 books898 followersMarsha Skrypuch is an internationally bestselling children’s author whose books span a century of wars from a kid’s view, concentrating on those stories that have been erased by oppressive regimes. Her best-known book is Making Bombs for Hitler. Her most recent is the Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy. She has received death threats and honors for her writing. Marsha lives in Brantford, Ontario, Canada and you can visit her online at calla.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 6, 2025
Well, it is really difficult to write anything specific regarding Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's first instalment of her young adult Kidnapped from Ukraine series Under Attack (published in January 2025 and with two more novels still to come) without even if inadvertently so providing spoilers (although I am indeed going to try to be sufficiently general and not give all too much away textually, contents-wise speaking).
Now Under Attack has Forchuk Skrypuch's story realistically, painfully with no holds barred so to speak and very much verbally directly present with (for me) totally required, absolutely necessary and often pretty extensive detail how early one morning in February 2022, Russia begins systematically and viciously bombing the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol and obviously very specifically and disgustingly deliberately focusing their destruction on for the most part clearly civilian targets (and with Russian president or rather at least in my not at all humble opinion dictator and international war criminal Vladimir Putin of course giving the orders for this), separating teenaged Dariia and her mother (who are away from the family's apartment trying to purchase groceries) from the father (husband) and from Dariia's twin sister Rada.
So with Dariia and her mother surviving the attack, although one of the bombs actually was a direct hit on the grocery store they are frequenting (but that others, such as for example the grocer, sadly are killed) and then being depicted by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch as finding shelter in an overcrowded basement without adequate food and water, with no sanitation and in fact hunkering down with others in need of shelter for many many weeks since Mariupol keeps getting bombed by Russia, survival in Under Attack becomes a daily struggle, albeit with Dariia finding some small solace in the company of other children, especially Natalia, who is a close friend of her sister Rada and two boys (Rustem and Asan). But when Under Attack has Forchuk Skrypuch featuring another direct and targeted Russian bomb which kills almost everyone sheltering in the basement, Dariia, her mother and Rustem are among the few who manage to escape (only to be captured at gunpoint basically by monsters, by brainwashed and horridly putrid Russian soldiers, with Dariia and the other children separated from the adults and transported to a Russian prison to be cleaned up and either sent to so-called education camps or to be adopted by Russian families (thus basically being KIDNAPPED by Russia, being deliberately STOLEN by Vladimir Putin).
Wonderful but also heartbreaking and frustratingly infuriating, with every single word printed and presented in Under Attack having Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch realistically, painfully but also absolutely justifiably and truthfully, realistically exposing and condemning the Russian propaganda that the abducted and forcibly taken to Russia Ukrainian children are supposedly and somehow being rescued from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Nazism in all its absurdity, stupidity, ignorance and as an all-encompassing Vladimir Putin falsehood, although I also do appreciate that in Under Attack it is equally being textually demonstrated by Forchuk Skrypuch that many Russians are indeed being hugely brainwashed as well, have basically been told Putin's lies over and over again and either believe them or are afraid of voicing opposition (and which is indeed why in Under Attack, once Dariia ends up in Russia, her account, her memories of the attack on Mariupol and her lived experiences massively differ from and clash with Russian teenager Anton, whose belief in Vladimir Putin and his political falsehoods and propaganda only begin to gradually change once his father shatters his son's beliefs and tells Anton some disturbing and horrid details and solid facts that simply cannot be ignored).
With Forchuk Skrypuch writing in searing ultra-realistic detail from Dariia’s point of view, yes Under Attack is pretty textually explicit in its portrayal of the horrors of war, featuring sometimes quite lurid scenes of violence, murder, racism, wanton destruction and ethnic as well as gender based hatred (and that I would thus recommend Under Attack for readers from about the age of twelve onwards but also with some contents based trigger warnings since sensitive and sheltered readers might well find Under Attack difficult as well as hugely uncomfortable although this is most certainly an important story and also a necessary one for both young and old), an account of innocent Ukrainian civilians and especially children being specifically targeted by Russian bombs, Russian animosity etc. and finding the resilience to survive in a war that even in 2025 is still happening and with Vladimir Putin still spewing propaganda and hatred. And while of course never specifically voiced in Under Attack it is indeed and truthfully made more than abundantly textually clear by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (in my opinion) that if ANYONE is a Nazi with regard to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, it is absolutely NOT Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is NOT Ukrainians but instead Russia and Vladimir Putin (and totally, and truly, up yours Donald Trump, J.D. Vance et al for recently calling Zelenskyy a dictator, pretty much kissing Putin's backside and even seemingly crawling right in and obviously also enjoying this as well).
Five shiningly solid stars for Under Attack, with the author's note being a helpfully enlightening added bonus (and that I am also eagerly now eagerly awaiting the publications of the sequels, with Standoff to be published in October 2025 and Still Alive in April 2026).
Now Under Attack has Forchuk Skrypuch's story realistically, painfully with no holds barred so to speak and very much verbally directly present with (for me) totally required, absolutely necessary and often pretty extensive detail how early one morning in February 2022, Russia begins systematically and viciously bombing the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol and obviously very specifically and disgustingly deliberately focusing their destruction on for the most part clearly civilian targets (and with Russian president or rather at least in my not at all humble opinion dictator and international war criminal Vladimir Putin of course giving the orders for this), separating teenaged Dariia and her mother (who are away from the family's apartment trying to purchase groceries) from the father (husband) and from Dariia's twin sister Rada.
So with Dariia and her mother surviving the attack, although one of the bombs actually was a direct hit on the grocery store they are frequenting (but that others, such as for example the grocer, sadly are killed) and then being depicted by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch as finding shelter in an overcrowded basement without adequate food and water, with no sanitation and in fact hunkering down with others in need of shelter for many many weeks since Mariupol keeps getting bombed by Russia, survival in Under Attack becomes a daily struggle, albeit with Dariia finding some small solace in the company of other children, especially Natalia, who is a close friend of her sister Rada and two boys (Rustem and Asan). But when Under Attack has Forchuk Skrypuch featuring another direct and targeted Russian bomb which kills almost everyone sheltering in the basement, Dariia, her mother and Rustem are among the few who manage to escape (only to be captured at gunpoint basically by monsters, by brainwashed and horridly putrid Russian soldiers, with Dariia and the other children separated from the adults and transported to a Russian prison to be cleaned up and either sent to so-called education camps or to be adopted by Russian families (thus basically being KIDNAPPED by Russia, being deliberately STOLEN by Vladimir Putin).
Wonderful but also heartbreaking and frustratingly infuriating, with every single word printed and presented in Under Attack having Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch realistically, painfully but also absolutely justifiably and truthfully, realistically exposing and condemning the Russian propaganda that the abducted and forcibly taken to Russia Ukrainian children are supposedly and somehow being rescued from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Nazism in all its absurdity, stupidity, ignorance and as an all-encompassing Vladimir Putin falsehood, although I also do appreciate that in Under Attack it is equally being textually demonstrated by Forchuk Skrypuch that many Russians are indeed being hugely brainwashed as well, have basically been told Putin's lies over and over again and either believe them or are afraid of voicing opposition (and which is indeed why in Under Attack, once Dariia ends up in Russia, her account, her memories of the attack on Mariupol and her lived experiences massively differ from and clash with Russian teenager Anton, whose belief in Vladimir Putin and his political falsehoods and propaganda only begin to gradually change once his father shatters his son's beliefs and tells Anton some disturbing and horrid details and solid facts that simply cannot be ignored).
With Forchuk Skrypuch writing in searing ultra-realistic detail from Dariia’s point of view, yes Under Attack is pretty textually explicit in its portrayal of the horrors of war, featuring sometimes quite lurid scenes of violence, murder, racism, wanton destruction and ethnic as well as gender based hatred (and that I would thus recommend Under Attack for readers from about the age of twelve onwards but also with some contents based trigger warnings since sensitive and sheltered readers might well find Under Attack difficult as well as hugely uncomfortable although this is most certainly an important story and also a necessary one for both young and old), an account of innocent Ukrainian civilians and especially children being specifically targeted by Russian bombs, Russian animosity etc. and finding the resilience to survive in a war that even in 2025 is still happening and with Vladimir Putin still spewing propaganda and hatred. And while of course never specifically voiced in Under Attack it is indeed and truthfully made more than abundantly textually clear by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (in my opinion) that if ANYONE is a Nazi with regard to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine, it is absolutely NOT Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is NOT Ukrainians but instead Russia and Vladimir Putin (and totally, and truly, up yours Donald Trump, J.D. Vance et al for recently calling Zelenskyy a dictator, pretty much kissing Putin's backside and even seemingly crawling right in and obviously also enjoying this as well).
Five shiningly solid stars for Under Attack, with the author's note being a helpfully enlightening added bonus (and that I am also eagerly now eagerly awaiting the publications of the sequels, with Standoff to be published in October 2025 and Still Alive in April 2026).
May 10, 2025
No book has ever brought me more pain than Kidnapped from Ukraine. Under Attack. It is painfully, brutally TRUE. Every little detail in this story—though labeled as fiction—actually happened. To real people. And it hurts so much more knowing this ruthless war is still dragging on, over three years now.
I want everyone in the world to read this book. I’m in awe of how the author managed to find the perfect words—simple, yet piercingly powerful—to capture the depth of the horror unleashed by brainwashed russians on peaceful Ukrainian families and our warm, welcoming homeland.
Please, read it. Let your heart break with ours. Let the truth be seen. Because silence helps the aggressor. And stories like this one? They keep the truth alive.
Все буде Україна 🙏💙💛🙏
I want everyone in the world to read this book. I’m in awe of how the author managed to find the perfect words—simple, yet piercingly powerful—to capture the depth of the horror unleashed by brainwashed russians on peaceful Ukrainian families and our warm, welcoming homeland.
Please, read it. Let your heart break with ours. Let the truth be seen. Because silence helps the aggressor. And stories like this one? They keep the truth alive.
Все буде Україна 🙏💙💛🙏
October 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've enjoyed the author's book that I've read so I knew this one would be really good too. This book seems harder to read because this war is happening now, in our lifetime.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
I've enjoyed the author's book that I've read so I knew this one would be really good too. This book seems harder to read because this war is happening now, in our lifetime.
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 19, 2025
A Brilliant Masterpiece of an incredible read! Skrypuch has done an outstanding piece of work as the reader is totally absorbed in this intense story. You can not put the book down. There is so much in this story that she has captured and I am in awe.
April 28, 2025
As a Ukrainian Canadian, this book is a frank, no holds bar account of the initial stages of the war in Ukraine initiated by Russia in 2022, and therefore a must read. It also tells the story of the over 700,000 children (as of Jan. 2024) taken from Ukraine, re-educated to be Russian, given new names and Russian passports and basically sold to Russian families to continue their Russian indoctrination.
This book was specifically written for middle grade readers, ages 9-12, but is not dumbed down and is very readable for any age - I myself am a senior.
This first book, in a three series collection, focuses on 12 year old Dariia whose family is split up in the early stages of the war in Mariupol, Ukraine and follows her journey and struggle to survive.
Yes, this book describes horrible events including death, starvation, and the bombing of innocent civilians, however, I found the Harry Potter books far more scary to read than this one. These are actual true events, even though the story is fiction, as opposed to fantasy.
This book was specifically written for middle grade readers, ages 9-12, but is not dumbed down and is very readable for any age - I myself am a senior.
This first book, in a three series collection, focuses on 12 year old Dariia whose family is split up in the early stages of the war in Mariupol, Ukraine and follows her journey and struggle to survive.
Yes, this book describes horrible events including death, starvation, and the bombing of innocent civilians, however, I found the Harry Potter books far more scary to read than this one. These are actual true events, even though the story is fiction, as opposed to fantasy.
April 14, 2025
An excellent “historical” fiction about the invasion of Ukraine and the impact it had on children. I put “historical” in quotes because this is still going on. Great from graded 6-8. Does describe war brutality which might upset sensitive readers
November 21, 2025
I am from Ukraine and lived in Kharkiv, which thankfully wasn't fully invaded. I also thank my parents for not making me have to witness the horrors of war. I still am very sad as my grandparents and many other people are still in Ukraine and are in a terrible position. I hope this war will come to an end and that there will be peace. The book is exceptional. From what I remember, it's accurate, and every single second, it pulled me in deeper and deeper. I can't wait to start book 2.
October 18, 2025
This is one of my favorite books of this year. I love historical fiction books and this helps me understand the war better and truely understand what happened. Over all great book.
One quick note….Thank you author for liking my review. It was my first time writing one.
One quick note….Thank you author for liking my review. It was my first time writing one.
February 7, 2025
Very well done!
June 10, 2025
First, if you normally think I recommend good books, do not read the book description like I sometimes ask, because that will spoil so much of the story for you.
So bare with me a bit, I shall get to the book now-now, but there is something that this book did that really threw me, but of course it is so obvious, such an obvious thing in life, so it felt depressing that a person again needed a total fiction book as a sort of reminder, but that is the good thing about novels of this sort.
I don’t know if people in developed countries can relate to this at all, so let me somehow try explain.
Oh, first, if you are triggered, maybe don’t read this review further, but what I will say to you about this book, it is excellent and I would say it is for junior high school readers and beyond (especially thinking who will read this in developed countries.) Countries like mine, like will explain, unfortunately kids will read and understand it much younger.
We must reflect on how desensitized we have become when dealing with horrific crimes against children and their lives before and after, how the events frame the crime and all the circumstances before and afterwards, and we must really then have a sad moment of silents or reflection for these children.
You guys in developed countries see Iraq and Israel and Gaza and Ukraine and what happens to literally thousands of kids. Do you wonder what their lives were like and, if they are still alive, what they will be like?
I am asking because, when crime in your countries are done against young children, your countries and news virtually stops.
Unfortunately this stupid country has such an epidemic of violence and crime against young children, it is often just another reported news story and it is so prevalent that, individually many of these crimes don’t get analyzed and discussed properly because we don’t have the outrage we should towards our useless systems that often give criminals more leniency and support than victims.
The numbers and ages of children being raped or murdered here are quite staggering. We are unfortunately an incredible society filled with much brutality and often senseless evil. This week alone a boy of only 2 was murdered, and trials are on-going in rapes of minors by old men, for example, an actual bloody lawyer can you believe is on trial for raping a girl who is only just 11.
I am also sure that many children watch this on the news and probably live in real fear.
Remember very poor people here have very limited choice what to watch, like old America, so it is really possible that, unlike other countries, families here would sit together and watch news.
And, from my experience, I and many other kids weren’t sheltered. We grew up from young with TV and radio reporting violent crimes all the time, and it just went and goes on and on.
Never mind that the top TV shows here often involve crime, I think subconsciously definitely so many children here must have some kind of fear, worry or trauma.
So this book is unique because it is fiction being written dealing with a war that is still continuing.
You will read that the characters are fictional, but the story contains and is based on true events.
I really don’t want to give much away, so let me put it this way.
We have read about these phenomena involving children from Ukraine in the newspapers, maybe we have heard where some of them go to, but do we really take the time to wonder about the places and traumas these kids experience, and think about the whole weird abnormal system of adults doing this to them?
And do we now, after reading this book, want to read actual non-fiction accounts and research this? If one can maybe help in some way?
The scary thing about this book is that everything it is describing is still happening, so, in a way, it is much worse reading this instead of whatever dystopian horror or crime fiction you were going to read.
Do yourself and the world a favour, especially if you are a teen or college student, read this book instead and then seriously reflect on what you just read when you finish.
If it wasn’t for what Trump is doing to USAID, this song would fit well with this review.
https://youtu.be/s3wNuru4U0I?si=izNoc...
So bare with me a bit, I shall get to the book now-now, but there is something that this book did that really threw me, but of course it is so obvious, such an obvious thing in life, so it felt depressing that a person again needed a total fiction book as a sort of reminder, but that is the good thing about novels of this sort.
I don’t know if people in developed countries can relate to this at all, so let me somehow try explain.
Oh, first, if you are triggered, maybe don’t read this review further, but what I will say to you about this book, it is excellent and I would say it is for junior high school readers and beyond (especially thinking who will read this in developed countries.) Countries like mine, like will explain, unfortunately kids will read and understand it much younger.
We must reflect on how desensitized we have become when dealing with horrific crimes against children and their lives before and after, how the events frame the crime and all the circumstances before and afterwards, and we must really then have a sad moment of silents or reflection for these children.
You guys in developed countries see Iraq and Israel and Gaza and Ukraine and what happens to literally thousands of kids. Do you wonder what their lives were like and, if they are still alive, what they will be like?
I am asking because, when crime in your countries are done against young children, your countries and news virtually stops.
Unfortunately this stupid country has such an epidemic of violence and crime against young children, it is often just another reported news story and it is so prevalent that, individually many of these crimes don’t get analyzed and discussed properly because we don’t have the outrage we should towards our useless systems that often give criminals more leniency and support than victims.
The numbers and ages of children being raped or murdered here are quite staggering. We are unfortunately an incredible society filled with much brutality and often senseless evil. This week alone a boy of only 2 was murdered, and trials are on-going in rapes of minors by old men, for example, an actual bloody lawyer can you believe is on trial for raping a girl who is only just 11.
I am also sure that many children watch this on the news and probably live in real fear.
Remember very poor people here have very limited choice what to watch, like old America, so it is really possible that, unlike other countries, families here would sit together and watch news.
And, from my experience, I and many other kids weren’t sheltered. We grew up from young with TV and radio reporting violent crimes all the time, and it just went and goes on and on.
Never mind that the top TV shows here often involve crime, I think subconsciously definitely so many children here must have some kind of fear, worry or trauma.
So this book is unique because it is fiction being written dealing with a war that is still continuing.
You will read that the characters are fictional, but the story contains and is based on true events.
I really don’t want to give much away, so let me put it this way.
We have read about these phenomena involving children from Ukraine in the newspapers, maybe we have heard where some of them go to, but do we really take the time to wonder about the places and traumas these kids experience, and think about the whole weird abnormal system of adults doing this to them?
And do we now, after reading this book, want to read actual non-fiction accounts and research this? If one can maybe help in some way?
The scary thing about this book is that everything it is describing is still happening, so, in a way, it is much worse reading this instead of whatever dystopian horror or crime fiction you were going to read.
Do yourself and the world a favour, especially if you are a teen or college student, read this book instead and then seriously reflect on what you just read when you finish.
If it wasn’t for what Trump is doing to USAID, this song would fit well with this review.
https://youtu.be/s3wNuru4U0I?si=izNoc...
June 26, 2025
Based during the current Ukranian war, Dariia and her mother are separated from her father and twin sister when Russia starts bombing Ukraine. Dariia and her mother end up holed up in a basement for months with little food and only a makeshift toilet (a pot) for several people. When they finally leave the basement, they are captured by Russian soldiers and Dariia is declared an orphan and sent to Russia to be adopted. This is really happening! This is realistic fiction, not yet historical.
November 22, 2025
I can't imagine living through a war or writing about a war in progress. I'm not surprised Skrypuch has been banned from Russia; writers like her help us distinguish truth from fiction.
March 22, 2025
This was an excellent story and became so important to understand that the plot and characters were taken from actual survivors of the Ukraine Russian war that had experienced the kidnapping, escape, and siege of Mariupol. The stages from the basement sniper experience to their escape and kidnapping were very violent and difficult. The move to the camp began her deep friendships and survival beyond her years. Then they’re sent to adoption and subterfuge efforts to make phone contact out of Russia. The propaganda in Russia was absolute. Developing Anton as an intermediary was important to show children on both sides of the war.
March 25, 2025
I loved this book. I never knew the similarities between the war in Ukraine and ww2. It's horrible that kids are being brainwashed. I love that Marsha wrote about the war that is sadly still happening. It was weird for me to read a book about war and the kids are talking about facebook. This book helped me see the picture of the war better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
This book really opened my eyes to what is happening in Ukraine! It's sad to know things like this still happen in what is supposed to be a modern world. I'm glad to know there will be more to come. Marsha always does such thorough research and makes fiction feel so real. Marsha's books are banned in Russia. Let that sink in. Even though they are fictional, they speak the truth and that scares them! Keep fighting your own way, Marsha!
December 23, 2024
Author Marsha Skrypuch writes another great novel showing a different perspective for younger readers. She shares how the people of Ukraine endured an unprovoked attack on their beloved country by President Putin.
I remember when the war started and information on the outside was very sporadic but social media seemed to have lots of first-hand information including a friend helping to drive people across the borders.
The story of Dariia and her twin sister Rada and their parents. The family is split in half when the bombings begin. Dariia is with her mom hiding in a basement with other people, just trying to survive with little to no water or food.
There were lots of similarities to the Holocaust. Putin called Ukrainians "Nazis" and is trying to eliminate the Ukrainian people.
Under Attack (Kidnapped From Ukraine #1 would be a great read-aloud for upper elementary and middle-grade classes. It would also be a great book to compare and contrast alongside a book on the Holocaust.
A must-have for all libraries, the perfect historical fiction!! A "can't-put-down" read!
@MarshaSkrypuch #UnderAttackBook1 #KidnappedFromUkraineBook1
#SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians #ReadABook #Books #Read #MGReads MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #Edelweiss
I remember when the war started and information on the outside was very sporadic but social media seemed to have lots of first-hand information including a friend helping to drive people across the borders.
The story of Dariia and her twin sister Rada and their parents. The family is split in half when the bombings begin. Dariia is with her mom hiding in a basement with other people, just trying to survive with little to no water or food.
There were lots of similarities to the Holocaust. Putin called Ukrainians "Nazis" and is trying to eliminate the Ukrainian people.
Under Attack (Kidnapped From Ukraine #1 would be a great read-aloud for upper elementary and middle-grade classes. It would also be a great book to compare and contrast alongside a book on the Holocaust.
A must-have for all libraries, the perfect historical fiction!! A "can't-put-down" read!
@MarshaSkrypuch #UnderAttackBook1 #KidnappedFromUkraineBook1
#SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians #ReadABook #Books #Read #MGReads MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #Edelweiss
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January 8, 20253.5 stars
This was a harrowing novel to read. What makes it even more sad is the fact that the situation between Ukraine and Russia has not been resolved yet, here at the beginning of 2025.
The book was detailed and informative, as all of Skrypuch’s writings are. Due to the dark nature of the subject matter, it is more appropriate for middle-grade readers and older. The author’s notes at the end are excellent; this would be a great teaching tool in classrooms.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
This was a harrowing novel to read. What makes it even more sad is the fact that the situation between Ukraine and Russia has not been resolved yet, here at the beginning of 2025.
The book was detailed and informative, as all of Skrypuch’s writings are. Due to the dark nature of the subject matter, it is more appropriate for middle-grade readers and older. The author’s notes at the end are excellent; this would be a great teaching tool in classrooms.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
June 18, 2025
A thought-provoking book. Makes you understand the ravages of war and what happens to its people.
August 15, 2025
Excellent young adult book- gripping and you can't put it down. I read it in a day and then realized there are 2 others in the series which I can't wait to get my hands on. So important to read about the reality of what is happening in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion--extremely timely. Although not "historical" fiction- it truly is...as the historical part will just come in time but perhaps a new category of "modern cultural fiction" should be created. It is hard to believe that the world sits by and lets these atrocities happen. I sometimes find Skrypuch's stories to be too graphic (making bombs for hitler), but in this case it was necessary to feel the fear of the protagonist and her mother. The only reason I didn't give the 5th star was because the ending was so abrupt. It was a bit disappointing after such a strong and engaging storyline to have the climax come about 10 pages from the book's ending with no explanation. Perhaps that is why there is a 2nd and 3rd. I can see why Skrypuch has been blacklisted from visiting Russia- I don't think she should ever go near! The book is very clear on who is guilty and all of the lies fabricated. I thought it was enlightening and should be read in every middle school. Hopefully the 4th book in the series will be the aftermath of the war with Ukraine victoriously protecting its borders and a successful start to rebuilding with the help of the international community.
April 27, 2025
very eye opening
January 4, 2026
I'm a teacher and I have a Ukrainian student who really wanted me to read this. The story is gut wrenching and has given me nightmares which I think is the whole point. It's a timely story that mire people should read.
May 1, 2025
A current event in middle grade lit - for fans of Alan Gratz
May 28, 2025
My 9yo recommended this book to me and we are looking forward to reading the series.
April 1, 2025
This was good
December 21, 2024
Marsha Skrypuch, writer of the Making Bombs for Hitler and Trapped in Hitler’s Web trilogies plus standalone Winterkill, is known for her meticulous research and personal connections to the topics highlighted in her historical fiction for middle grades and younger YA readers. Ukraine is home to both to the author as well as her husband and the struggle to stay independent and to protect its people features in most of her books but usually from the World War II era and before. But history is repeating itself and this, her newest trilogy, begins with Putin’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Kidnapped From Ukraine: Under Attack begins on the morning of Russia’s attack and right from the beginning, readers will be riveted as twins Dariia and Rada are separated when a bomb destroys the stairs in their Mariupol apartment building trapping Rada and their dad upstairs, leaving Dariia and their mom downstairs in the ground floor grocery store. Both duos find shelter but all suffer mightily as they stay underground for weeks, surviving on what can be scavenged on dangerous trips outside. Just when Dariia, her mom and several others think that they may have found a way to safety, they are captured by Russian soldiers who send the kids to a Russian indoctrination camp to be later adopted by loyal Russian families.
The tension is palatable and worse, the actions are real. Dariia may be a created character, but the things endured by her and others in Skrypuch’s book are happening right now. Mariupol IS one of the first cities in Ukraine attacked by Putin’s forces; Rada and her father may not be real, but Azovstal Steel where they shelter and Ukrainian forces there held off Russian soldiers for a month is real; and Romashka Camp is an actual “reeducation” camp for kidnapped Ukrainian children. Skrypuch even includes a Putin rally with Ukrainian children forced to thank their Russian captors that, indeed, happened plus throws in the presence of loyal Russian entertainer Shaman and his known presence at the rally.
This is a must have for libraries serving grades 5 and up and readers should be encouraged to read the author’s note for information on the history that is still unfolding and reminded that this is why learning about world history is so important: If we do not learn from it, we are destined to repeat it as it is being repeated now.
Under Attack is free of profanity and violence is appropriate to the subject and target age group. While there is no sexual content, Dariia, her mother and friends are forced to endure a strip search by Russian soldiers. The facts are given in an authentic but not lewd manner.
Kidnapped From Ukraine: Under Attack begins on the morning of Russia’s attack and right from the beginning, readers will be riveted as twins Dariia and Rada are separated when a bomb destroys the stairs in their Mariupol apartment building trapping Rada and their dad upstairs, leaving Dariia and their mom downstairs in the ground floor grocery store. Both duos find shelter but all suffer mightily as they stay underground for weeks, surviving on what can be scavenged on dangerous trips outside. Just when Dariia, her mom and several others think that they may have found a way to safety, they are captured by Russian soldiers who send the kids to a Russian indoctrination camp to be later adopted by loyal Russian families.
The tension is palatable and worse, the actions are real. Dariia may be a created character, but the things endured by her and others in Skrypuch’s book are happening right now. Mariupol IS one of the first cities in Ukraine attacked by Putin’s forces; Rada and her father may not be real, but Azovstal Steel where they shelter and Ukrainian forces there held off Russian soldiers for a month is real; and Romashka Camp is an actual “reeducation” camp for kidnapped Ukrainian children. Skrypuch even includes a Putin rally with Ukrainian children forced to thank their Russian captors that, indeed, happened plus throws in the presence of loyal Russian entertainer Shaman and his known presence at the rally.
This is a must have for libraries serving grades 5 and up and readers should be encouraged to read the author’s note for information on the history that is still unfolding and reminded that this is why learning about world history is so important: If we do not learn from it, we are destined to repeat it as it is being repeated now.
Under Attack is free of profanity and violence is appropriate to the subject and target age group. While there is no sexual content, Dariia, her mother and friends are forced to endure a strip search by Russian soldiers. The facts are given in an authentic but not lewd manner.
January 8, 2025
This important story follows Dariia, who wakes as bombs begin to fall on her city. She goes to the corner store with her mother to ensure the family has food but a bomb hits the staircase making it impossible to return to their apartment. She and her mother hide in a basement together in hopes of surviving the siege. After leaving their refuge, they are taken by the Russian army, which separate mother and daughter. Dariia is sent to learn how to be Russian and "adopted" to a Russian family, leaving her to figure out how to return home and maintain her identity.
The story is excellent but the writing is very clinical. It reads less like a fiction book and more like a nonfiction. Nonetheless, it was easy to read the entire book in one evening, one sitting would be possible.
This is a book that will interest many kids. The relevancy of the subject matter is important. I am debating adding it to my library. My school has a sizeable population of Ukranian students, many of whom have arrived recently. I am not sure if they will want to read this or would prefer to avoid the subject matter as it hits too close to home. I have a few older girls I am going to ask and perhaps I will grab it at our upcoming book fair.
Thank you to Scholastic and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own!
The story is excellent but the writing is very clinical. It reads less like a fiction book and more like a nonfiction. Nonetheless, it was easy to read the entire book in one evening, one sitting would be possible.
This is a book that will interest many kids. The relevancy of the subject matter is important. I am debating adding it to my library. My school has a sizeable population of Ukranian students, many of whom have arrived recently. I am not sure if they will want to read this or would prefer to avoid the subject matter as it hits too close to home. I have a few older girls I am going to ask and perhaps I will grab it at our upcoming book fair.
Thank you to Scholastic and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own!
February 16, 2025
This book hit me to the core of my heart.
As I read I kept on having to my remind myself the events being described didn’t happen many years ago like the events in her previous novels. These things are happening RIGHT NOW. Mrs. Skypuch does a wonderful job as always bringing her story come to life, probably because sadly this is REAL LIFE for so many right now. Dariia, the main character is a twin, and I have twins, and they’re all about the same age. I couldn’t imagine what I would do if the things that happened to Dariia happened to one of my kids.
I have already ordered this book for my school’s library and will be highly recommending it to my students.
As I read I kept on having to my remind myself the events being described didn’t happen many years ago like the events in her previous novels. These things are happening RIGHT NOW. Mrs. Skypuch does a wonderful job as always bringing her story come to life, probably because sadly this is REAL LIFE for so many right now. Dariia, the main character is a twin, and I have twins, and they’re all about the same age. I couldn’t imagine what I would do if the things that happened to Dariia happened to one of my kids.
I have already ordered this book for my school’s library and will be highly recommending it to my students.
January 24, 2025
What a great story to show what is happening in war times. Though fiction the author states that what happened is based on true stories of those living out the war. It really brings to life the sadness of what happened.
January 27, 2025
Wow is all I can say.
January 31, 2026
The author of this middle grade book is banned in russia.
So you should obviously read it.
I bought it as my first-ever audiobook. Set in 2022, "Under Attack. Kidnapped from Ukraine" sees 12-year-old Dariia being abducted from Mariupol. Along the way she meets other kidnapped children – Rustem (shout out to the outstanding Crimean Tatar representation!), Katya , Lilya and her brother Vadim , Zhenya . They all understand why they have been abducted. The invader’s ultimate goal is to erase their cultural identities and raise them as future soldiers of the russian regime. An act of gen*ide.
The book is based on true, ongoing stories. It book calls out russian propaganda using easy, accessible language for MS readers. It exposes the colonial intent behind the invasion and shows how russia has used the same tactics not just in 21st century Ukraine, but across many nations throughout the centuries.
The author, Marsha F. Skrypuch, is a Ukrainian-Canadian legend who has written many MS/YA books about Ukraine. They all touch upon extremely important topics like the Holodomor, Ukraine's WWII resistance to nazi/soviet occupation and the current ge***ide of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars at the hands of russian invaders. As an obvious result, Skrypuch has been banned in Moscovia. Well, what else did we expect from a cult-like fascist regime?
So here's your anti-fascist homework for the day: buy this or any other Ukrainian book, read it carefully, then rate it 5/5 on any platform you can think of. The more visibility we give to Ukrainian stories, the more russia's colonial ambitions are weakened.
Stay strong, read books, support Ukraine.
To quote M. Eristavi:
The empire will fall.
So you should obviously read it.
I bought it as my first-ever audiobook. Set in 2022, "Under Attack. Kidnapped from Ukraine" sees 12-year-old Dariia being abducted from Mariupol. Along the way she meets other kidnapped children – Rustem (shout out to the outstanding Crimean Tatar representation!), Katya , Lilya and her brother Vadim , Zhenya . They all understand why they have been abducted. The invader’s ultimate goal is to erase their cultural identities and raise them as future soldiers of the russian regime. An act of gen*ide.
The book is based on true, ongoing stories. It book calls out russian propaganda using easy, accessible language for MS readers. It exposes the colonial intent behind the invasion and shows how russia has used the same tactics not just in 21st century Ukraine, but across many nations throughout the centuries.
The author, Marsha F. Skrypuch, is a Ukrainian-Canadian legend who has written many MS/YA books about Ukraine. They all touch upon extremely important topics like the Holodomor, Ukraine's WWII resistance to nazi/soviet occupation and the current ge***ide of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars at the hands of russian invaders. As an obvious result, Skrypuch has been banned in Moscovia. Well, what else did we expect from a cult-like fascist regime?
So here's your anti-fascist homework for the day: buy this or any other Ukrainian book, read it carefully, then rate it 5/5 on any platform you can think of. The more visibility we give to Ukrainian stories, the more russia's colonial ambitions are weakened.
Stay strong, read books, support Ukraine.
To quote M. Eristavi:
The empire will fall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews