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Don't Tell the Nazis
Don't Tell the Nazis
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch (author of Making Bombs for Hitler) crafts a story of ultimate compassion and sacrifice based on true events during WWII.
The year is 1941. Krystia lives in a small Ukrainian village under the cruel -- sometimes violent -- occupation of the Soviets. So when the Nazis march into town to liberate them, many of Krystia's neighbors welcome the troops with celebrations, hoping for a better life.
But conditions don't improve as expected. Krystia's friend Dolik and the other Jewish people in town warn that their new occupiers may only bring darker days.
The worst begins to happen when the Nazis blame the Jews for murders they didn't commit. As the Nazis force Jews into a ghetto, Krystia does what she can to help Dolik and his family. But what they really need is a place to hide. Faced with unimaginable tyranny and cruelty, will Krystia risk everything to protect her friends and neighbors?
The year is 1941. Krystia lives in a small Ukrainian village under the cruel -- sometimes violent -- occupation of the Soviets. So when the Nazis march into town to liberate them, many of Krystia's neighbors welcome the troops with celebrations, hoping for a better life.
But conditions don't improve as expected. Krystia's friend Dolik and the other Jewish people in town warn that their new occupiers may only bring darker days.
The worst begins to happen when the Nazis blame the Jews for murders they didn't commit. As the Nazis force Jews into a ghetto, Krystia does what she can to help Dolik and his family. But what they really need is a place to hide. Faced with unimaginable tyranny and cruelty, will Krystia risk everything to protect her friends and neighbors?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
185 people are currently reading
2607 people want to read
About the author
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
33 books888 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 244 reviews
August 25, 2017
Can hardly wait til this book is out, Dec 26!
February 8, 2018
The language of the book brilliantly captures the thoughts and feelings of a young girl. A very poignant story based on true events and people.
April 29, 2019
Marsha Skrypuch has such a talent for blending real people and facts from the Ukrainian World War II experience with fictional names and events. In Don’t Tell the Enemy/Don’t Tell the Nazis, the real life Krystia and her family’s brave acts of defiance are recorded with only subtle changes. The all too real story of Nazi soldiers taking control of their town, imprisoning and killing the Jewish residents while systematically starving the non-Jews is hard to read, but gives readers a keen insight into the brave acts of many who endured Hitler’s reign of terror. While free of sex and profanity, the vivid descriptions of torture, murder, and harsh living conditions make this book inappropriate for the tender-hearted or children under 10 or 11. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley.
April 11, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
so far i’ve read this book and making bombs for hitler by this author and i think i liked the latter better but this was still an interesting, moving read and i’m glad i picked it up!! 😌
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
so far i’ve read this book and making bombs for hitler by this author and i think i liked the latter better but this was still an interesting, moving read and i’m glad i picked it up!! 😌
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
November 21, 2018
This moving story based on real events will leave readers horrified and disgusted at the events going on in Ukraine during World War II. Krystia's voice is strong and her fears are real as lives through Russian and German occupation. Her bravery is an inspiration to everyone.
Highly recommended for middle years and teen readers who enjoy WWII fiction and for teachers who want to supplement their WWII curriculum with a great read-aloud.
Highly recommended for middle years and teen readers who enjoy WWII fiction and for teachers who want to supplement their WWII curriculum with a great read-aloud.
September 13, 2021
Yes! Historical fiction I could leave a good review on! This is what historic fiction for MG should look like. No language, lots of facts but also really easy and fun to read! I will be reading more by this author!
October 4, 2023
I thought this book captured the actual events during the holocaust. This book makes me think of all the strength and courage it would take to get through a time like this. Krystia was a brave young girl who put her life at stake to help her friends Dolik, Leon, and Mr.Segal. Don't Tell The Nazis was heart-touching. It made me think of how blessed we are today. The Holocaust was a difficult time for Krystia but through all this Krystia managed to get up every day and walk the cow and fetch water.
May 18, 2025
This is a short but powerful read, made even more powerful by the author's note (you really do need to read it). This is a really good introduction to a horrible period in Ukraine's history.
April 29, 2024
So sad I was crying! I love the way she wrote the book it was amazing!!! And how the end result was I was so sad and surprised. I love this book!!!!
November 20, 2025
This is the first book in the second part of the series
technically you don’t need to read the other books in order (I didn’t 😂 I read this one third) but the stories are all connected
Worth reading would highly recommend
Ages 10-14
technically you don’t need to read the other books in order (I didn’t 😂 I read this one third) but the stories are all connected
Worth reading would highly recommend
Ages 10-14
October 23, 2025
A really good book, this is a children’s book or a young reader it was very well written, and I really enjoyed the series, even though it was very sad
May 16, 2018
This book captures small, powerful snapshots of surviving a war very well. Those acts of defiance, of resilience and of bravery which so many people must have shown during such awful times but which went such a long way to survival and togetherness. It makes the stain on your carpet, the morning you ran out of milk or the ten minutes you were late for work really fall into perspective. I don’t think we appreciate how truly lucky we are comparatively. And I like how the author challenged that. It’s also so impressive to imagine not only the lengths people went to survive, but also the lengths they went to in order to help others. Smuggling food is merely scratching the surface.
And I think that’s what this book does. It scratches the surface of what it was like to live day to day, walking along the very unsteady tightrope that was being Jewish in this period. It reads almost at a middle grade level, shining a light on this period without some of the brutality of similar stories. That isn’t to say it detracts from the honest depiction of the time, it tracks the timeline very transparently with allusions to the scale of what was happening, but I think there are more detailed and broader representations elsewhere for more mature readers. I like that this can act as an introduction for readers unfamiliar with these types of stories, but for a reader like myself who is perhaps more familiar with them, it gets lost amongst the better written versions of itself. The writing style is too simplistic and dialogue heavy with overuse of characters names and little description outside of basic character conversations; this can make the story feel quite blocky and disjointed. Having said that, I think it’s probably important to note that this is from the perspective of a young girl in a stressful situation and may have actually been a deliberate move!
A good fact-based but fictional bridge between non-fiction accounts and very personal diaries/first hand accounts, but perhaps a little watered down for readers who delve into this era often.
And I think that’s what this book does. It scratches the surface of what it was like to live day to day, walking along the very unsteady tightrope that was being Jewish in this period. It reads almost at a middle grade level, shining a light on this period without some of the brutality of similar stories. That isn’t to say it detracts from the honest depiction of the time, it tracks the timeline very transparently with allusions to the scale of what was happening, but I think there are more detailed and broader representations elsewhere for more mature readers. I like that this can act as an introduction for readers unfamiliar with these types of stories, but for a reader like myself who is perhaps more familiar with them, it gets lost amongst the better written versions of itself. The writing style is too simplistic and dialogue heavy with overuse of characters names and little description outside of basic character conversations; this can make the story feel quite blocky and disjointed. Having said that, I think it’s probably important to note that this is from the perspective of a young girl in a stressful situation and may have actually been a deliberate move!
A good fact-based but fictional bridge between non-fiction accounts and very personal diaries/first hand accounts, but perhaps a little watered down for readers who delve into this era often.
February 18, 2021
Page turner. This author never disappoints with her skill in making history come alive. The bloodbath in Ukraine—shared here as fiction, through the eyes of a mere child— is hard reading, but never as difficult as living through it must have been.
December 16, 2019
Soo good going to reread it
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November 22, 2020This book was really great, It is by the same author that wrote, Making bombs for Hitler and Stolen girl which are 2 other amazing books.
June 12, 2024
I’m a first generation Ukrainian. My father came here first in 1931 before two siblings. One older one was left behind and her daughter is now my only surviving family in Ukraine. Why did they leave? Read the book. Thank you Ms. Skrypuch for your book. I can only imagine the tears shed writing it - but it’s a story I relate to and am grateful for your authorship. I’ve given a copy of one of your other books to my 12 year old grandson for his summer reading. I will be a steward in carrying the message forward. For everyone else - if you don’t read this, you don’t know.
January 14, 2019
This is a well drawn story of children living through Nazi terrors. It was interesting to learn that it was based on a true story.
June 20, 2022
A window into the dark and lesser known world of a Nazi occupied Ukraine. Tragic yet inspiring. Based on a true story. Every time I read one of Skrypuch’s books, I feel as though I have learned so much about my grandpa’s childhood before he came to Canada. Truly a book that impacts and changes you.
June 3, 2025
Another good read by this author. Based on a true story.
March 8, 2023
Wow. (I feel like I start every review with wow) This one was a heart breaker. Most stories have some form of a happy ending this one literally ended with death and even more sorrow than before (which I didn’t think was even possible) I’ve loved This Author’s books since I laid eyes on them. This one is just another masterpiece. I would love to be an Author and this Author’s works are very inspiring. I would love to write like her. I love how she used a real story and turned it into a novel anyone can read. Can’t wait to read “Trapped in Hitler’s web”! There’s NOTHING I don’t like about this book!
July 25, 2022
Excellent book. We read as a family on a road trip.
August 20, 2024
My middle school daughters and I really enjoy these books about World War 2. The stories are told from the children's perspectives and how they endured the war. I highly recommend Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's books. Excellent writer!
October 26, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner: Don’t Tell the Nazis by @skrypuch and @scholasticinc. Releases December 3, 2019.
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A fast-paced historical war novel for kids that ISN’T cheapened or contrived? It feels too good to be true. Don’t Tell the Nazis gives us the mostly true story of a young girl living in Ukraine as it transitioned from Soviet rule to Nazism in 1941–a specific place and time in history I had barely learned anything about. Krystia is a native Ukrainian, but she’s surrounded by Jewish neighbors and friends, and as the Nazi power increases, her world quickly turns to horror. As the ghetto walls rise, she finds herself harboring an almost impossible secret—her family hides three Jews beneath the kitchen floor.
As I mentioned in the beginning, not for a second did this book feel contrived. Most of the WWII era middle-grade I’ve read recently has “hero” kids to a degree that just isn’t historically accurate. That is not the case here. Krystia is a hero in every sense of the world, but she’s a child, acting like a terrified, brave child simply doing whatever it takes to survive and to help her friends. And make no mistake, this book gets gritty. It tells the truth, NO sugar-coating. And as a result, the emotions get a lot deeper and darker than I typically see in middle-grade. Towards the end, it reminded me of what Katniss went through in Mockingjay. It was that bleak and emotional. This might sound like a bad thing, but I found it to be a refreshing change. As a kid, I got way less upset than I do now. Kids are tough. They understand the facts.
The back of the book has a fascinating look at the real-life people and events who inspired this book (the real story is very similar), allowing the book to end on a hopeful note as you read the stunning portrait of survival.
Don’t Tell the Nazis goes on sale December 3rd and believe me, it is so much more than I expected when I just saw the cover and title. Obviously, I recommend this one. Thanks @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
————-
A fast-paced historical war novel for kids that ISN’T cheapened or contrived? It feels too good to be true. Don’t Tell the Nazis gives us the mostly true story of a young girl living in Ukraine as it transitioned from Soviet rule to Nazism in 1941–a specific place and time in history I had barely learned anything about. Krystia is a native Ukrainian, but she’s surrounded by Jewish neighbors and friends, and as the Nazi power increases, her world quickly turns to horror. As the ghetto walls rise, she finds herself harboring an almost impossible secret—her family hides three Jews beneath the kitchen floor.
As I mentioned in the beginning, not for a second did this book feel contrived. Most of the WWII era middle-grade I’ve read recently has “hero” kids to a degree that just isn’t historically accurate. That is not the case here. Krystia is a hero in every sense of the world, but she’s a child, acting like a terrified, brave child simply doing whatever it takes to survive and to help her friends. And make no mistake, this book gets gritty. It tells the truth, NO sugar-coating. And as a result, the emotions get a lot deeper and darker than I typically see in middle-grade. Towards the end, it reminded me of what Katniss went through in Mockingjay. It was that bleak and emotional. This might sound like a bad thing, but I found it to be a refreshing change. As a kid, I got way less upset than I do now. Kids are tough. They understand the facts.
The back of the book has a fascinating look at the real-life people and events who inspired this book (the real story is very similar), allowing the book to end on a hopeful note as you read the stunning portrait of survival.
Don’t Tell the Nazis goes on sale December 3rd and believe me, it is so much more than I expected when I just saw the cover and title. Obviously, I recommend this one. Thanks @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
July 9, 2019
Thanks to @scholasticinc for the free book to share with #kidlitexchange! Out 12/3/19, but pre-order now for everywhere @skrypuch's other books are popular.
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4/5 for Don't Tell the Nazis, which chronicles the brave actions of Krystia and her family who protected, fed and hid Jewish people during World War II. I love reading inspirational stories about people making hard decisions during desperate times and I know lots of students who do, too!
@Skrypuch's books about Ukranian children during and after WWII are very popular in the #historicalfiction section of our genrefied library. I think all her books are checked out for #30booksummer and #summercheckout this year! I'll be excited to add this book to our collection. Skrypuch does an excellent job conveying the horror and difficulty of living under Nazi occupation and I always learn something new. In this book, for example, it's fascinating to read how thrilled Ukranians were at first when the Germans liberated them from Soviet rule. I was also interested to learn about the Volksdeutsche, ethnic German people from other countries, who displaced Ukranians.
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I also love how this book is based on true events and real people; the Krystia and her daughter approached Skrypuch and asked her to tell Krystia's story. This isn't my favorite book of Skrypuch's (hard to choose, but I think The War Below) and it isn't connected to the other three, but it's a powerful, painful story that will find traction with my readers.
.
4/5 for Don't Tell the Nazis, which chronicles the brave actions of Krystia and her family who protected, fed and hid Jewish people during World War II. I love reading inspirational stories about people making hard decisions during desperate times and I know lots of students who do, too!
@Skrypuch's books about Ukranian children during and after WWII are very popular in the #historicalfiction section of our genrefied library. I think all her books are checked out for #30booksummer and #summercheckout this year! I'll be excited to add this book to our collection. Skrypuch does an excellent job conveying the horror and difficulty of living under Nazi occupation and I always learn something new. In this book, for example, it's fascinating to read how thrilled Ukranians were at first when the Germans liberated them from Soviet rule. I was also interested to learn about the Volksdeutsche, ethnic German people from other countries, who displaced Ukranians.
.
I also love how this book is based on true events and real people; the Krystia and her daughter approached Skrypuch and asked her to tell Krystia's story. This isn't my favorite book of Skrypuch's (hard to choose, but I think The War Below) and it isn't connected to the other three, but it's a powerful, painful story that will find traction with my readers.
April 30, 2019
Don’t Tell the Nazis by Marsha Furchuk Skrypuch, 240 pages. Scholastic, DECEMBER 2019. $18.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Krystia, her mother, and her younger sister live in a small Ukrainian village in 1941. After the Soviets move out, they briefly think they are free, but then the Germans start moving in. First military, but quickly many more Germans occupy homes that used to belong to the villagers. Now the Germans want food and labor to be supplied by the villagers also. Slowly but surely the Ukrainians feel their lives slipping away - anyone who even looks the wrong way might die, and if you happen to be Jewish, death will probably be sooner.
What I love about this is the intimate look at the insidious policies of the German military during World War II. I bet Skyrpuch has several more WWII novels in her quiver, because the ones she has released recently have been on point.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Krystia, her mother, and her younger sister live in a small Ukrainian village in 1941. After the Soviets move out, they briefly think they are free, but then the Germans start moving in. First military, but quickly many more Germans occupy homes that used to belong to the villagers. Now the Germans want food and labor to be supplied by the villagers also. Slowly but surely the Ukrainians feel their lives slipping away - anyone who even looks the wrong way might die, and if you happen to be Jewish, death will probably be sooner.
What I love about this is the intimate look at the insidious policies of the German military during World War II. I bet Skyrpuch has several more WWII novels in her quiver, because the ones she has released recently have been on point.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
January 15, 2020
4/5 stars. This young adult (older middle grade-ish) novel tells Krystia's story of courage and resistance set in Ukraine during WWII, at the end of Soviet occupation and during the subsequent takeover by the Nazis.
Though a fictionalized novel, Krystia's story is largely based on factual people and events. The author doesn't shy away from brutal realities Slavic nations and especially the Jewish community suffered under the Nazis, ("the hunger plan"; "the Jewish problem") although most of the bloody violence is kept short and nondescript.
A disturbing book? Absolutely. The ending is particularly jarring (but to do justice to the true story behind the novel, I understand why the author made the decisions she did). Definitely a story that needs to be shared and remembered.
A good choice for upper middle school into early high school, maybe some younger readers depending on their tolerance level for the atrocities of WWII. It's a very plot driven/dialogue heavy story, which also may make it a good choice for some reluctant readers.
Though a fictionalized novel, Krystia's story is largely based on factual people and events. The author doesn't shy away from brutal realities Slavic nations and especially the Jewish community suffered under the Nazis, ("the hunger plan"; "the Jewish problem") although most of the bloody violence is kept short and nondescript.
A disturbing book? Absolutely. The ending is particularly jarring (but to do justice to the true story behind the novel, I understand why the author made the decisions she did). Definitely a story that needs to be shared and remembered.
A good choice for upper middle school into early high school, maybe some younger readers depending on their tolerance level for the atrocities of WWII. It's a very plot driven/dialogue heavy story, which also may make it a good choice for some reluctant readers.
March 15, 2018
Marsha Skrypuch always does a great job of taking the reader to the events in history her writing explores but Don't Tell the Enemy is exceptional, even for a writer of her caliber. You will feel everything that young Krystia goes through, and experience her courage, determination, fear, despair and battered hope in the struggle for justice, not only for herself and her loved ones, but on behalf of those who could not fight for themselves. A difficult story because of its hard truths, every students (and adult) should read Don't Tell the Enemy at least once.
March 20, 2020
What's worse, occupation of your country by the Soviets or the Nazis? Does it matter? That's the premise of this World War II story set in Ukraine in the early 1940s about Krsytia, her family, friends and neighbors. Based on a true story and the real life Krystia Korpan (nee Sikorska).
Not for sensitive readers, tweens and young teens who are fans of Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's other stories and those looking for another World War II story will want to give this one a look.
Not for sensitive readers, tweens and young teens who are fans of Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch's other stories and those looking for another World War II story will want to give this one a look.
January 22, 2018
Adults should read this book to experience the atrocities inflicted on the Ukrainians during WWII through the viewpoint of a wonderful brave character Krystia. Marsha Skrypuch is an excellent writer who makes history real, never pulling her punches. It would be wonderful if parents and their tweens read and discussed this book and perhaps the importance of educated voting to prevent such atrocities.
April 2, 2019
This is a great book for young readers. My daughter found it a bit confusing at times, but I think that she was trying to understand why the characters did what they did. And it is really difficult for an elementary school kid to understand why the horrors of WWII happened, and why people can hate others so much.
This is a heartbreaking but wonderful story of courage and survival. Best of all, although a work of fiction, it is based on a true story of a brave child.
This is a heartbreaking but wonderful story of courage and survival. Best of all, although a work of fiction, it is based on a true story of a brave child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews