Tag: kidnapped from Ukraie

Kidnapped from Ukraine #2: Standoff

Book #2 of my Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy will be published on Oct 7, 2025.

This gripping, accessible novel by celebrated Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch follows two sisters as they struggle to survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

12-year-old twin sisters Rada and Dariia Popkova couldn’t be more different. Dariia is outgoing and chatty while Rada is quieter and artsy. But what they have in common is their love for each other and their home. The family lives in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is attacked by the Russians on Feb 24th, 2022. The attack separates the family — Dariia is with her mom and Rada with her dad.

Standoff follows Rada and her father as they navigate the treacherous journey from shelter to shelter and make their way to the Azovstal plant so that her father can fight in the resistance. Meanwhile, Rada is still trying to get in contact with her sister and mother. As the war rages and each family member must contend with their own battles, their love for their country and their family keeps them going.

Koota Ooma book launch!

Dare I say that I absolutely LOVE Koota Ooma? And it’s not just because a book display like this is every author’s dream. It’s also because the entire Koota Ooma team is just so nice and knowledgeable about Ukrainian-themed books and Ukrainian language books. They also have the BEST and unique Ukrainian items, like clothing, houseware and jewelry.

Here are some photos from the event.

Kidnapped from Ukraine: audiobook

Love having the opportunity to speak the backmatter and acknowledgements for the audio editions of my books. Today, I did that for Kidnapped from Ukraine: Under Attack, Scholastic. Thank you, Will Crann at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton! I have deep respect for professional narrators who do this all the time.