Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch is a Canadian author who specializes in historical fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults, with a particular focus on Ukrainian and Armenian history. She has written extensively about refugee experiences, war, and historical events like the Armenian Genocide and World War II. Her work often features lesser-known aspects of history, such as Operation Morning Light and the Ottoman Empire's persecution of Armenians. Many of her books center on young protagonists facing difficult circumstances during wartime, including stories about child soldiers, internment camps, and forced relocations. Skrypuch's novels have received numerous awards and recognition, including the Order of Princess Olha from Ukraine's president for her contribution to Ukrainian-Canadian literature. Her research-intensive approach involves interviewing survivors and extensively studying historical documents to ensure accuracy in her storytelling. The author's bibliography includes more than twenty books, among them Making Bombs for Hitler, Dance of the Banished, and Stolen Child. Her works have been translated into multiple languages and are used in schools across North America to teach about historical events through the lens of young people's experiences.

Readers appreciate Skrypuch's thorough historical research and her ability to tell difficult stories about war and persecution in an age-appropriate way for young readers. Multiple reviews highlight how her books help children understand complex topics like the Armenian genocide and World War II through relatable characters. Parents and teachers note the books serve as effective discussion starters about challenging historical events. Several reviews mention students being engaged enough to pursue additional research on the historical topics. Common criticisms include some readers finding the pacing slow in certain books, particularly in opening chapters. A few reviewers felt some of the dialogue sounds too modern for historical settings. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Most books rate 4.0-4.4/5 stars Amazon: Majority of titles 4.5/5 stars Making Bombs for Hitler: 4.7/5 (2,000+ Amazon ratings) Stolen Child: 4.6/5 (500+ Amazon ratings) Don't Tell the Nazis: 4.7/5 (400+ Amazon ratings)

Making Bombs for Hitler - A Ukrainian girl is forced to work in a Nazi bomb factory during World War II and struggles to survive while protecting her sister.

Stolen Child - A young Ukrainian girl who was kidnapped by the Nazis and raised as a "German" child confronts her true identity in post-war Canada.

Dance of the Banished - A young Alevi-Kurdish man is detained in an Ontario internment camp during WWI while his fiancée witnesses the Armenian Genocide.

Underground Soldier - A Ukrainian boy escapes a Nazi slave labor camp and joins the underground resistance movement during World War II.

Enough - A teenage Armenian girl survives the Armenian Genocide and makes her way to Austria to find her music teacher.

Don't Tell the Enemy - Based on a true story of a Ukrainian family who hides three Jewish friends from the Nazis during World War II.

The War Below - A Ukrainian boy joins the underground resistance after escaping from a Nazi slave labor camp during World War II.

Hope's War - A teenage girl faces hostility in her Canadian high school when her Ukrainian grandfather is accused of being a World War II war criminal.

Prisoners in the Promised Land - A Ukrainian girl and her family face harsh conditions in an internment camp in Canada during World War I.

Dear Canada: Silver Threads - Two Ukrainian immigrants start a new life in Canada but face separation when the husband is sent to an internment camp during World War I.