The War Below

By Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

A boy escapes a labor camp, joining the resistance to find his lost friend amidst war's chaos.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,060 ratings

256 pages

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Bookroo's summary

Luka escapes a Nazi labor camp, determined to reunite with his friend Lida. As he navigates the treacherous woods, evading Nazis and Soviets, he joins the Ukrainian resistance. Trust is scarce, and every decision could be his last. With desperate rescues and daring raids, Luka's quest is fraught with danger. Will he survive the war's chaos to find Lida and return to his family? This gripping tale of courage and survival explores the harsh realities of war and the power of hope.

From the publisher

This companion novel to Skrypuch’s Making Bombs for Hitler follows a boy who joins the underground Ukrainian resistance in the fight against Hitler.The Nazis took Luka from his home in Ukraine and forced him into a labor camp. Now, Luka has smuggled himself out - even though he left behind his dearest friend, Lida. Someday, he vows, he’ll find her again.But first, he must survive.Racing through the woods and mountains, Luka evades capture by both Nazis and Soviet agents. Though he finds some allies, he never knows who to trust. As Luka makes difficult choices in order to survive, desperate rescues and guerilla raids put him in the line of fire. Can he persevere long enough to find Lida again or make it back home where his father must be waiting for him?Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch delivers another action-packed story, inspired by true events, of daring quests and the crucial decisions we make in the face of war.

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