Name: My Long List of Impossible Things
ISBN: 9781773213651

Michelle Barker

"The arrival of the Soviet Army in Germany at the end of World War II sends sixteen-year-old Katja and her mother and sister into turmoil. With their father gone and few resources available to them, Katja and her sister are forced to flee their home. Their harrowing journey to find a safer haven brings danger and violence as Katja deals with her new reality and confronts her country's role in the war."--

My Long List of Impossible Things

Geneviève Rouleau

The writing style of this book feels like it's more appropriate for a younger than YA public, but not quite middle grade. But also... this book talks about sexual abuse, rape, violence, genocide, etc. SO BEWARE. 

I loved that this book was written from a young German girl's POV during WWII, reminiscent of Salt to the Sea. It was interesting to read and reflect about how a lot of people in Germany weren't necessarily siding with Hitler, and if they did, it was often to protect themselves and their families. Many people didn't quite know what was happening to the Jewish people, only that there were rumours about concentration camps, while nothing seemed certain. While others knew what was happening, but decided to turn a blind eye, in order to stay alive. Like the following quote sais, "any German who survived the war will drag it behind them forever", meaning that the German people let Hitler take power and pass his laws, and they did nothing to stop him. And how they will drag this knowledge for the rest of their lives, knowing that they are partly responsible for the death of so many people... the eradication of so many families. 

About the writing style : I have issues with the fact that the first chapters are set during the war, then there's a MAJOR plot twist and boom! You skip to months later, in a post-war Germany. No matter how some elements were heartbreaking to read about, the twists and turns still felt predictable, and I couldn't quite connect with the characters. I did appreciate how every single issue was solved towards the end of the book, even those that seemed secondary. The ending was so beautiful and hopeful! 2.5⭐

My Long List of Impossible Things

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