TRAITORS AMONG US, by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Scholastic Press, Sept. 7, 2021, Paperback, $7.99 (ages 8-12)
World War II may be over, but for two sisters, the worst is yet to come in Traitors Among Us, by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch.
Sisters Krystia and Maria have been through the worst — or so they think. World War II ravaged their native Ukraine, but they both survived, and are now reunited in a displaced persons camp.
Then another girl accuses the sisters of being Hitler Girls — people who collaborated with the Nazis. Nothing could be further from the truth; during the horrors of the war, both sisters resisted the Nazis and everything they stood for. But the Soviets, who are now in charge, don’t listen to the sisters’ protests. Krystia and Maria are taken away and interrogated for crimes they never committed.
Caught in a dangerous trap, the sisters must look to each other for strength and perseverance. Can they convince their captors that they’re innocent — or escape to safety before it’s too late? —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
Author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch has a talent for middle-grade writing. Her ability to set a scene and create tension is admirable, and it makes for exciting reading.
Traitors Among Us is a high-stakes look at the “after” part of World War II. The story is told from both Krystia and Maria’s points of view, offering the reader different points of view at the same time. This treatment pushes the narrative further while maintain tight focus. Both girls have distinct voices that ring clear throughout.
Traitors Among Us is a fast-paced read that will appeal to a wide cross section of readers.
