You Don't Know What War Is

Written by Yeva Skalietska

Narrated by Keira Knightley

An inspiring memoir of resilience by a young survivor of the war in Ukraine, as told through her diary entries—a harrowing and ultimately hopeful survival story.

Yeva Skalietska’s story begins on her twelfth birthday in Kharkiv, where she has been living with her grandmother since she was a baby. Ten days later, the only life she’d ever known was shattered. On February 24, 2022, her city was suddenly under attack as Russia launched its horrifying invasion of Ukraine. Yeva and her grandmother took shelter in a basement bunker, where she began writing this diary. She describes the bombings she endured while sheltering underground and her desperate journey west to escape the conflict raging around them. After many endless train rides and a prolonged stay in an overcrowded refugee center in Western Ukraine, Yeva and her beloved grandmother eventually find refuge in Ireland. There, she bravely begins to forge a new life, hoping she’ll be able to return home one day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Union Square & Co.
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781454951391

Reviews for You Don't Know What War Is

[randymorgan-144387 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“You Don’t Know What War Is” tells the story of becoming a refugee. This journal depicts the cruelty of war from the perspective of a twelve year old girl, Yeva. She illustrates the terror civilians experienced on February 24, 2022; when Russia invaded Ukraine. Yeva talks about the management of: safety, coping, resources, transportation, shelter and communication. The title “You Don’t Know What War Is” drives the point home with the use of direct language. It prevents the reader from being Yeva. The use of direct language prevents misinterpretations of her experiences. This also allowed for an almost seamless translation into English. The structure, language, size, and images made it feel like a real journal, which I liked.