You Don’t Know What War Is — Yeva Skalietska (Paperback, 240 pages)

You Don’t Know What War Is is the remarkable firsthand account of 12-year-old Yeva Skalietska, who documented her harrowing journey during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. From celebrating her birthday in Kharkiv to sheltering in a basement amid shelling, Yeva’s diary captures the sudden collapse of childhood security and the rise of fear, displacement, and grief 

This paperback edition (240 pages, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, first published October 25, 2022) combines diary entries with photos, WhatsApp messages, world news headlines, and detailed maps illustrating the route Yeva and her grandmother took from Kharkiv to safety in Dublin. The foreword by Michael Morpurgo adds a heartfelt endorsement: “Once read, we don’t forget…” — and indeed, readers carry Yeva’s voice long after finishing the book 

A Sunday Times Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year (Older Non‑Fiction) by The Week Junior, this memoir is essential reading for older children (ages 9–13+), teenagers, and adults who wish to see conflict through the eyes of a brave young witness. It also includes contributions from Yeva’s friends who stayed behind, expanding the narrative into a chorus of youthful perspective amid crisis 

You Don’t Know What War Is is both heartbreaking and hopeful—an urgent story of resilience when life is uprooted. It stands as a tribute to children’s endurance and a call to recognize the lives behind statistics. Perfect for educators, families, and human rights advocates, this book brings clarity, emotion, and empathy to one of the most significant conflicts of our time.