In the 1800s, Lithuania was under control of the Russian Empire. The Russian Tsar wanted Lithuania to be completely erased from the world map, but how can a whole country be erased? Destroy its culture by destroying its books. Anyone holding, reading, or has a Lithuanian book is executed or sent to die in Siberia. Even speaking Lithuanian was illegal. Audra, the main character in the book, knows there's something wrong. Her dad and her mom are always hiding something in a bag, but what is it? One day the Russian soldiers come to Audra's house, burn it down, and arrest her parents. Audra ran away with the bag that holds the secret her parents were hiding. When she opened the bag she saw something she NEVER expected to see...a book! Audra walked miles and miles holding the book that was the problem that caused all the havoc. Later on in the story she finds a boy in the woods. Can Audra trust this boy to help her smuggle the Lithuanian book she's holding, or is he a spy? During her journey, Audra discovers something she didn't know: the power of books and words. What will happen to Audra? Will she be able to save her parents? Who's the boy, and why is he so important? This book is very moving. One may wonder if a book is worth risking human lives over. If you love adventure, danger, suspense, and hope, then this book is the right match for you. In addition, this book is on the Battle of the Books MUST READ list.

Please give this book a try, you'll learn a lot!