I Must Betray You

Bibliography
Sepetys, Ruta, 2022. I MUST BETRAY YOU. New York, NY: Penguin Books. ISBN 9781984836045.

Plot Summary
Seventeen year old Cristian Florescu and his family are struggling to survive a very controlled life in Bucharest, Romania. At this time, Romania lived under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauşescu and Mother Elena. Romanians were restricted from living comfortable lives; the government controlling their food portions, electricity, and sense of security. Citizens were often tricked and forced to spy on their friends and family, in order to stay alive. Something must be done to end the constant sadness and cruelty. If other countries were beginning to gain their freedom, why hadn't Romania gained theirs? Dreaming of freedom and becoming a writer, Cristian fights to give his country a voice and risks his life to share the ugly truth with the world. 

Critical Analysis
In 1989, Cristian Florescu is a young man with big dreams of becoming a writer, which is impossible when your country is under the control of a Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceauşescu. Life in Bucharest, Romania is dangerous and depressing at this time; everything and everyone is under watch and there's no one to trust. Sepetys incorporates historical research of the country and writes authentic details for readers to understand the cruelty and poverty occurring, while their dictator lives a comfortable, rich life. She brings awareness to the strong yet broken country of Romania through this powerful story told from the point of view of a young man. Cristian is all too aware of the danger that occurs daily in Bucharest, from the streets to inside his building. No one knows who to trust during these times, as anyone could be an informant for the government. Readers will be heartbroken to learn it was forbidden to read, write, buy essentials, and have any type of peace; many Romanians believed they were being spied on from inside their homes with devices, the government controlled all. However, readers will become inspired of Cristian and his determination to help his country through this dark time. As he becomes acquainted with his mother's employer, an American diplomat and his son, Cristian soon learns other countries under the Iron Curtain have gained their freedom. He risks his life to share his forbidden poems with the American diplomat (with hopes it would be broadcasted to the world), to bring awareness to his country and begs others to help the innocent people of Romania. It takes a big heart to write about a heartbreaking time in history, weaving in a gripping story about young man and his loved ones trying to regain their humanity and freedom. 

Review Excerpt(s)
Winner of the YOTO Carnegie Medal 2023
Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history."
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Compulsively readable and brilliant." 
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Cristian's tense first-person narrative foregrounds stark historical realities, unflinchingly confronting deprivations and cruelty while balancing them with perseverance and hope as Romania hurtles towards political change."

Connections
- For fans of historical fiction, interested in learning about the dismal living conditions in Romania under a communist regime, told from the point of view of a young man. 
- For readers interested in learning about Romania, strongly affected by the Iron Curtain, wanting to learn of how this country regained it's pride and freedom. 
- Similar book recommendations: 
Sepetys, Ruta, 2012. BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. ISBN 9780142420591. 
Sepetys, Ruta, 2017. SALT TO THE SEA. ISBN 9780142423622.
Wein, Elizabeth, 2022. CODE NAME VERITY (ANNIVERSARY EDITION). ISBN 9780316426312.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Koala Lou

Image
  Bibliography Fox, Mem, 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780152000769. Plot Summary Young Koala Lou yearns for the days when she was an only child and her mother would tell her how she loved her the most. As the years have passed and more siblings have arrived, Koala Lou thinks about what she can do to earn her mother's attention. With the Bush Olympics right around the corner, she enters the competition (specifically, the gum tree climbing event), dreaming of her victory and her mother telling her how much she loved her. Despite not winning the event, her mother is proud of her and reminds her of how much she loves her. Koala Lou learns that a mother's love is forever and does not have to win her over. Critical Analysis  Mem Fox has captured the sweet, eternal love a mother will always have her child. The main character, Koala Lou, recalls the moments when her mother would tell her she loved her most and how it uplifted her...
Read more

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation

Image
  Bibliography Tonatiuh, Duncan, 2014. SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL: SYLVIA MENDEZ & HER FAMILY'S FIGHT FOR DESEGREGATION. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781419710544. Plot Summary In 1947, Sylvia Mendez is excited to begin school in the new city her family moved to. When she walks through the door, she is immediately greeted with rudeness and is told to go to the Mexican school instead. Hurt and ashamed, she tells her mother she does not want to go to school anymore. Her mother listens to her sadness and reminds her to hold her head high, the Mendez family fought for the right to attend the Westminster school. She was being unfairly judged for her looks alone, despite being an American who spoke perfect English, all people saw was her dark hair and skin. Sylvia's mother reminds her of how her family fought for the same opportunity for the kids to attend a good school and have equal rights.  Critical Analysis  Duncan Tonatiuh shares the powerful, true ...
Read more

The Night Raven

Image
Bibliography Rundberg, Johan, 2020. THE NIGHT RAVEN. New York, NY: Amazon Crossing Kids. ISBN 9781662509582. Plot Summary It's a dark, cold night in Stockholm and Mika is running through her personal checklist of how to survive during the unbearable, freezing winters in the local orphanage. She suddenly hears a knock at the door and there is a boy holding a newborn child claiming the Dark Angel knows he has taken this child. Without any explanation, the boy takes off running, leaving Mika with many questions and another child to help care for. The Night Raven was a notorious serial killer in Stockholm and was supposed to be dead, now Mika is left wondering if somehow he is involved. With the help of a local detective, Mika will hunt out the truth and solve a murder. With this opportunity, Mika can become someone strong and who matters in this world, not allowing her only identity to be an orphan.  Critical Analysis Rundberg writes a suspenseful mystery, more specifically a murder i...
Read more