This is a beautiful story about how a young Lithuanian girl uses her art to psychologically survive her imprisonment in Soviet concentration/work camps. It is interesting because it is a time in history kids don't usually hear about, similar in so many ways to the German concentration camps but for different reasons. Great narrative fiction, and worth the re-read.
I loved this book and look forward to seeing the movie, as well. I was unaware of this piece of history, so I thought it was an important story to hear. Loving art as well as the idea of preserving and documenting history, I loved that she drew what she saw and this was a thread to connect the story. I've been recommending this book to students and everyone who has read it has also loved it....a sad, important story.
My middle school book clubs love it too. :)