The Blood Years

The Blood Years
Elana K. Arnold
Harper Collins, 2023
390 pages
Grades 9-Up
Historical Fiction

Frederike (Rieke) is a Jewish teenager growing up in late 1930's Romania. As Hitler rises to power in Germany, antisemitism in her home city increases by the day, making going to school and her grandfather keeping his business impossible. The Soviets invade and take control, which is both a blessing and a curse. When the Nazi's eventually kick out the Soviets and absorb Romania into their empire, life gets even harder, as families are taken away and all human rights are stripped. Meanwhile, life continues for Rieke and her older sister Astra. Having had to fend for themselves when their father left the family and their mother fell into a deep depression, their lives have been centered around dance and each other. Everything changes as Astra falls in love with a philandering doctor and becomes a crazy person. As her personal life shifts, so does Rieke's existence, as it becomes increasingly difficult to find food, stay warm and simply survive. A deadly disease and move deportations threaten her small family unit. Will they survive this terrible war? And what will become of whoever is left when the communists take over yet again?

Historical Fiction is making a comeback and it feels like holocaust books are on the rise. This new story by an accomplished author brings something new to the table: the holocaust experience in Romania. Through reading this story, I learned about the political culture of the time and the back and forth of the controlling governments. The story, based on the author's own grandmother's experiences, is gripping. What Rieke and her family goes through and what they resort to for survival is eye-opening. Arnold, as always, tells the story in a way that is both beautifully written and fully compelling and well paced. I love that there is truth behind the tale. My favorite part is the actual family pictures at the end of the volume and my only complaint is that I would like to have been told more about these real-life figures after the war. Some truly disturbing events take place within the pages of this volume, including extreme violence and rape, and it is not suitable for younger teens. Human rights are important, especially in our world right now, and the timing for this book is perfect. Let's hope that many young people read it and are compelled to be kind and speak for the voiceless.