You Don't Know What War Is by Yeva Skalietska

“Until you’ve been there, you don’t know what war is.”

This short memoir is the record, told in diary form, of the transformation of the life of a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl from Kharkiv. We follow her journey from normality, to conflict, her escape and subsequent new life in Ireland. It is an account of what happened on and after February 24, 2022, when Yeva Skalietska woke up to the sound of explosion.  Her diary tells of the days of taking refuge in basements, then fleeing to western Ukraine and Hungary before she and her grandmother found safety and a new home in Dublin. The book has contributions from some of Yeva's friends who are still in Ukraine, and is a rare and moving chronicle of war from the point of view of children.

It's an incredibly engaging read, and very moving to see Yeva go from watching YouTube videos, playing Minecraft and going bowling for her birthday (as many of our pupils will recognise as 'normal life'), to worrying about escaping the war and telling the story of this from her point of view. Definitely a book for our older pupils only, as sensitive issues are dealt with, but a very important and eye-opening read.

It would particularly suit those in Willow Class who had an interest in their Autumn term 'Conflicts' theme. 

Yeva speaks a truth that all of us, young and old, must listen to. -- Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

The most important story of our times told from the inside by the best narrator: a wise twelve-year-old girl. -- Viv Groskop, comedian, writer and podcaster

This book has touched my heart in a way that I am finding hard to put into words. Everyone, absolutely everyone, should read it. You will love Yeva. -- Christy Lefteri, No.1 international bestselling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

This is one of those extraordinary books that will haunt readers for a very long time. ― Irish Times

[A] heartbreaking revelation of war through a child's eyes. ― Telegraph