The novel can also serve as a springboard for a cross-curricular ELA and History unit on the time period. It might also spark their interest in the Russian Empire. Middle school students interested in historical fiction will find Words on Fire rich and fascinating.
Despite moments of pontification, though, the novel’s pacing does create exciting moments of suspense, which will keep readers on their toes and turning pages. Audra is a captivating and strong character. The author uses the monologues to give lessons instead of allowing the characters’ experiences to teach lessons. The level of sophistication of Audra’s monologues compared to her alleged background creates a discord that undermines the broader narrative. The focus on a less studied period and place within the Russian Empire intrigue, and although the nuances of Lithuania’s struggles may be foreign to readers, the novel’s themes, such as the power of books and family, still ring true today. The novel, Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen, entices readers through its setting. Faced with difficult choices and even more difficult consequences, Audra must decide what is right, not only for her and her family but also for her country. Audra encounters danger at every turn, but she also tries to maintain a freshly found sense of purpose and hope. When Russian Cossack soldiers come to take Audra’s parents away, she is forced to flee and ends up on an unexpected path that changes her life forever. However, book smuggling is illegal, and those caught in the act face imprisonment or even worse. Unbeknownst to Audra, her parents help smuggle books to keep memories of their homeland alive. It is also a dangerous time, especially for anyone who still preserves and protects Lithuanian culture.
It is 1893 in Lithuania, a time when the Russian Empire controls the country.
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