Words on Fire
Jennifer A. Nielsen
📚 Genre
Historical Fiction - Middle Grade
🏢 Publisher
Scholastic Press
📅 Publication Year
2019
🔢 ISBN
978-1338275551
About This Book
Set in Lithuania in 1893 during the Russian occupation, the story follows a young girl named Audra who must smuggle banned Lithuanian books across the snow-covered countryside to keep her people's language and culture alive. The cover features a dramatic illustration of a girl holding a book behind her back while facing uniformed soldiers in a snowy landscape, framed by a burned paper border effect.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
336
Edition
Paperback Edition
Series
Standalone novel
Target Audience
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)
Collector Information
Condition
Good. Visible shelf wear along the edges, slight creasing at the corners, and minor scuffing on the cover, typical of a well-read paperback.
Estimated Value
$5-$10
Rarity
Common. Widely printed and easily accessible in libraries, bookstores, and online retailers.
Historical Significance
Highlights the real historical resistance of Lithuanian book smugglers (knygnešiai) who fought against the 40-year press ban imposed by the Russian Empire.
Collector Notes
This is a mass-market paperback reading copy with no significant collectible value. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent further wear.
Similar Books
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Notable Features
Includes 'New York Times Bestselling Author' text at the top and the Scholastic red logo at the bottom of the cover.