Book #2 of my Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy, published on Oct 7, 2025.
This gripping, accessible novel by celebrated Ukrainian Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch follows two sisters as they struggle to survive the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
12-year-old twin sisters Rada and Dariia Popkova couldn’t be more different. Dariia is outgoing and chatty while Rada is quieter and artsy. But what they have in common is their love for each other and their home. The family lives in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which is attacked by the Russians on Feb 24th, 2022. The attack separates the family — Dariia is with her mom and Rada with her dad.
Standoff follows Rada and her father as they navigate the treacherous journey from shelter to shelter and make their way to the Azovstal plant so that her father can fight in the resistance. Meanwhile, Rada is still trying to get in contact with her sister and mother. As the war rages and each family member must contend with their own battles, their love for their country and their family keeps them going.
Read an excerpt here.
Reviews
★Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk. Standoff. 288p. (Kidnapped from Ukraine: Bk. 2). Scholastic. Oct. 2025. Tr $25.99. ISBN 9781546104568.
Gr 4 Up–A brilliantly written and sensitive portrayal of the reality facing innocent children and families in a war zone. With historically accurate quotes and events interwoven, Rada’s story shows the world what Ukrainians faced in the early days of Russian attacks. Rada becomes separated from her family after missile attacks destroy their apartment building. She shelters with neighbors in the basement of a steel plant while her dad rushes to help defend their city. With limited communication, she’s left to wonder about the fate of her mother and twin sister. Time after time, Rada and her bunker family plan to evacuate during planned ceasefires only to find themselves under attack when the Russians violate the agreements. They fight to survive on meager bits of food stored in their emergency backpacks. After weeks underground, their clothes are moldy. They drink a cup of hot water for breakfast and supper. Rada and her schoolmate, Viktor, risk their lives to gather items to help them survive. Readers will be in awe of Rada. She rejects cruelty even living in the most dire conditions and manages to face each new devastation with courage and humanity. Rada’s indomitable spirit, her refusal to give in to despair in the face of outrageous cruelty, shows readers how heroism takes many forms. Readers will fly through the pages to stay with Rada’s story and try to find out the fate of her family. This second title in the series offers a horrifying look inside the conditions in war-torn Ukraine while also inspiring hope for heroes and survivors. VERDICT Purchase for all middle grade shelves. Readers who have firsthand experience with refugee camps and war zones may especially benefit from support while reading. School Library Journal, October 2025
Even better than the first book. This one dealt all the punches. Skrypuch takes us inside the infamous steelworks in Mariupol during the Russian siege and shines a light on a dark history of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
In this installment of the series, Daria’s twin sister Rada is the focus. Separated from her mother and her sister on the first day of the invasion, Rada and her father have taken shelter in the steel mill in Mariupol where they will be holed up for weeks. Skrypuch does not hold back: she takes her reader deep into the bowels of the tunnels and carefully plots her story around the factual events and background of the siege.
Through a child’s eyes, we see what matters; how resilient not only the characters depicted here are, but as a nod to the spirit of Ukraine’s resistance in general. This story is positively a must for anyone who even wants even a little bit more understanding about what has been going on in Ukraine in one of the most devastating wars on the European continent since WW2. This novel could stand alone, but I suggest reading the first one [as well]. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, Author.
“Essential: Reading this book is better than any news story you could see, especially as the war continues today. And remember – Russia started it.” Kiss the Book.
“As in other Skrypuch historical fiction, Standoff is heavy on the actual events from history, a history that is still happening. Readers will be caught up in the unwarranted onslaught of Putin’s army, in awe of the determination demonstrated by those who took cover in the Azovstal factory and fighters who held out for so long against greater numbers of more well-armed Russian soldiers.
Highly recommended series for grades 5-8. Text is free of profanity and sexual content but violence is present and reflects the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.” Melanie Delaney, Librarian.
My grandchildren bought this at their school book fair last week. Just finished reading it. Marsha J. Skrypuch has done it again. An amazing depiction of real events told in a way that children can not only understand, but can also feel empathy for the characters. This book should be in every library. Chrystyna P, grandparent.
Once again, Ms. Skrypuch brings a current news story to life for readers who might not know how horrible the conditions in Ukraine are right now. Many middle graders like to read books about World War II, but don’t understand that there are conflicts that are every bit if not more devastating going on right now. Ms Yingling Reads.
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch knows how to tell a story of immense tragedy by pairing it with resilience, affection, and hope. Helen Kubiw, CanlitforLittleCanadians.
