Stolen Child Book Launch

A successful book launch was held on February 17, 2010 in order to introduce award-winning  Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch’s lastest novel, Stolen Child. The book is published by Scholastic Canada, the premier publisher of books for children.

Daria Diakowsky, chair of the UNF Library and Resource Centre, the evening’s host, welcomed the attendees and introduced Oksana Kuryliw who gave most informative information about the Lebensborn program and the impact that it had on thousands of Ukrainian and Polish children during and after the Second World War. Olya Grod introduced Marsha, warmly stating that Marsha’s many books were a treasure not only for the Ukrainian Canadian community but for everyone worldwide.

Marsha spoke about how her mother-in-law, the late Lidia Skrypuch, inspired her to write about this topic. While Lidia was not a Lebensborn child herself, she lost half of her classmates to the program and this loss haunted her for the rest of her life. Marsha has woven a fascinating story based on historical facts and first person accounts.

Asked why she writes for children and not adults, Marsha answered that children are far more discriminating readers and are interested in serious topics. She also pointed out that historical fiction for children is far more accurate than adult historical fiction because it is vetted by scholars.

Stolen Child is available in bookstores throughout Canada as well as in Scholastic book clubs in schools.