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Books in Canada
In The Hunger, Paula’s eating disorder is paralleled with the events taking place during her Armenian grandmother’s childhood. When Paula falls off the balance beam in gym class, she is chastised by a fellow classmate. Mortified, she decides that in order to protect herself and earn the respect of her classmates, she is going to lose weight. Meanwhile, she receives an assignment in history class to research her family’s past. Paula discovers that her grandmother was one of the deportees during the Armenian Genocide. As Paula’s body deteriorates, she undergoes a mystical experience: she finds herself inside the body of her great-grandmother Marta, and experiences first-hand the hardship her grandmother endured.
In Nobody’s Child, Skrypuch stays within the historical context. The children, Mariam, Marta and Onnig, are joined by their orphaned friend Kevork when their parents are killed during the Adana massacre. Skrypuch provides alternating perspectives. While Marta is the central voice of experience in the first book, Mariam and Kevork are the focus of this novel. We do not see much of Marta’s experience in the sequel. That is why it’s worth reading The Hunger (Marta is featured in the second half).
Skrypuch does not stereotype the Armenians or Turks in her novel. Her website refers educators and parents to other websites that provide information on how to teach young people about genocide. Although there are Turkish characters who kill Armenians, and some who are involved in conspiracies and the slave trade, Skrypuch also has Turkish families aiding Armenians and willing to risk their lives to hide and adopt Armenian children.
The one frustration I felt with both of these novels stems from the fact that there’s no conclusion. If on the other hand, Skrypuch’s plan is to write a trilogy, then she has succeeded in keeping the reader hooked. The characters are so well developed that I really cared about what happened to them. I only hope that Skrypuch is planning to continue their story.
M.J. Fishbane (Books in Canada)
Review
"This is historical fiction at its gritty best, with compelling characters, heart wrenching choices and unspeakable horror.
Highly Recommended."
Joan Marshall, teacher librarian, CM Magazine
"This novel is a wonderful story of friendship, hope and family. The one constant throughout the ever-changing difficulties and ordeals faced by the characters is their desire to remain with, or return to, their family. The novel portrays the characters as extremely realistic, very life-like, everyday people...
It is a wonderful read that I would highly recommend."
Adrienne & Cait of Guelph, Ontario for Bookhooks (www.bookhooks.com)
"Marsha Skrypuch includes references to the three major massacres against Armenians: first, Adana in 1909, then the genocide in 1915; then, she takes us back to the Hamidian massacres in 1896... In this way, the novel presents the three great catastrophes that befell Armenians in a twenty-year period and provides an important background and context to the psychology of the Armenian characters.
...The characterizations are strong. We care for the children and admire their strength. They and their parents are victims, yet the children refuse to give in. They always accept the struggle to survive in the hope of being reunited. They have chances for a safer life but refuse to give up their Armenian identity for it.
...We must thank Marsha Skrypuch for using her talents once again to tell a story from our past that will help explain to younger generations an unfortunate part of our history. At the same time, the characters in the novel exhibit the strength and resolve of Armenians to survive. I urge you to read Marsha Skrypuch's compelling novel, Nobody's Child."
Dr. Lorne Shirinian, author of The Armenian Genocide: Resisting the Inertia of Indifference, and Head of Department, Department of English, Royal Military College of Canada
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!,
By stargaterfan (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Nobody's Child (Paperback)
I read this book for the Red Maple awards, and I thought it was amazing! It shows what exactly happened at that time and the children's lives at that time. I haden't read the hunger before but I could still follow! Great job!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific, must-read book for teens,
By A Customer
This review is from: Nobody's Child (Paperback)
A superb read, and a tough, no nonsense look at the Armenian Genocide of the early twentieth century. Marsha Skrypuch helps us to remember the atrocities of the past, so that hopefully history will not be repeated. This book is a prequel, in a sense, to *The Hunger*. If you've read that, this is a must read. If you haven't read *The Hunger*, I suggest you do so now, and then read *Nobody's Child*. You won't be disappointed.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling story about often forgotten event,
By Author-thing (Hamiltonacorn, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Nobody's Child (Paperback)
Nobody's Child is a moving and compelling story that addresses serious issues with charm, power, and hope. The book humanizes the tragedy of the Armenian genocide through its strong portrayal of young adults caught in the middle. The young characters in this book, through their determination, courage, and love for each other and their families provide a powerful illustration of the fortitude, compassion, the hopefulness, and the strength of young people even in the most difficult circumstances. While not shying away from the vivid portrayal of events that were part of this terrible moment in history, the author skillfully manages make the portrayal not overwhelm the young reader. The reader has a foothold (the characters' stories and their immediate context) in the larger historical moment. Finally the author is careful to portray compassionate and decent Armenians AND Turks. The author expands the reader's understanding of different religious and cultural experiences, not simply painting "good guys" and "bad guys." The terrible thing is the genocide. Those who acted with compassion, integrity, and courage on both sides are celebrated. In the end, they are who we care about. They are who we learn from. Yet again, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch has created compelling fiction that addresses important issues, broadening the reader's understanding of the peoples of the world and their history. After reading Skrypuch's books, I believe that readers will take a personal interest in those peoples and their history.
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