This Knyzka Corner Book Review features Kidnapped from Ukraine: Under Attack, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s novel about 12‑year‑old twins Rada and Dariia Popkova from Mariupol and the impact of Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine on their lives.

The story follows their separation during the bombing of Mariupol, the desperate search for safety, and Dariia’s ordeal in a Russian filtration camp for Ukrainian children.

The novel incorporates real historical events and includes an Author’s Note and a Five Questions section that address the factual context of this period.

The review also highlights Skrypuch’s background as an acclaimed Ukrainian Canadian writer whose work focuses on historical truth and the experiences of young people in wartime.

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Sylvia Molnar takes a deep dive into the secret behind the dainty, delectable and now quite rare sweets called Khrustyky in Ukrainian, also known as "nothings" because they literally melt in your mouth.

She shares the ingredients, shaping methods, and frying techniques for these traditional treats, along with the intricate process for creating the ornate rose shape for these cookies that she learned from her mother. This is one of Sylvia's collection recipes, stories, and cooking tips preserved in the Ukrainian Food Flair Cookbook, published as a tribute to her legacy.

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In 2015, before Ukraine’s armed forces became a global symbol of resilience, a group of military cadets spoke candidly with Pawlina about their hopes and motivations. Recorded inside a hallway at Ukrainian Catholic University during a conference hosted by Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, this interview captures them at the beginning of their journey—still students, still forming their professional identities, but already committed to service.

Their stories reflect a mix of personal history and national responsibility: daughters of military families, first‑generation soldiers, aspiring teachers, future interpreters, and a cadet specializing in psychological operations. Each describes a different path into the military, yet all share a clear sense of purpose.

Revisiting this conversation nearly a decade later adds depth to the broader story of Ukraine’s transformation. These young people were preparing for roles that would soon become critical, though none could have predicted how quickly their skills would be needed. This recording offers a rare, intimate look at the formative years of those who would go on to serve in a rapidly changing world.

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