Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, author of Making Bombs for Hitler, explores the bonds of friendship and family against the perilous backdrop of war. In the grip of World War II, Maria has realized that her Nazi-occupied Ukrainian town is no longer safe. Though she and her family might survive, her friend Nathan, who is Jewish, is in grave danger. So Maria and Nathan flee — into the heart of Hitler’s Reich in Austria. There, they hope to hide in plain sight by blending in with other foreign workers. But their plans are disrupted when they are separated, sent to work in different towns. With no way to communicate with Nathan, how can Maria keep him safe? And will they be able to escape Hitler’s web of destruction?

Want to read the first five pages? Here they are.

Reviews

As historical fiction, Trapped in Hitler’s Web, like its companion novel Don’t Tell the Enemy, is tragically honest and heartbreaking. The story is even more anguished as it is inspired by real events and people. But it is a telling story, from the perspective of a brave child who endured excruciating physical and emotional hardship, driven by hope to help those dear to her. It’s also revelatory about the many victims of the Reich, borne in a manufactured hierarchy of discrimination. Hearing Maria and others referred to as “subhumans” and starved and abused is crushing. Still Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch writes to reveal another story of WWII, specifically about Ukrainians, and she does so with much heart and compassion, reminding us that there are sometimes more than two sides to a story and to war itself. Helen Kubiw.

Trapped in Hitler’s Web is, like all of Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s novels, based on real-life events (read the Author’s Note at the end of the novel to understand how and why this is a personal story for her). It … is definitely a story that will keep you reading while biting your nails. Alex Baugh

Another fantastic book by Skrypuch. Ms Yingling Reads.

I … love how the author writes series where you see characters who are connected but have their own story to tell. Her books are very popular in our library (and she is one of my favorite historical fiction authors) so I’ll definitely be adding it to our collection. BitAboutBooks