My Palace of Leaves in Sarajevo

"My Palace of Leaves in Sarajevo" is a poignant chapter book that uses an epistolary format to tell the story of Nadja, a young girl living through the Siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s. Through her letters to her American cousin, readers gain a child's perspective on the devastating impact of war, from daily struggles for survival to the emotional toll on families. The book balances the harsh realities with moments of hope and the enduring power of family bonds. It's suitable for children aged 7-11 for independent reading, or as a read-aloud for younger children (4-6) with adult guidance to discuss the difficult themes. It offers a gentle yet honest introduction to historical conflict and the importance of empathy.

In 1991, ten-year-old Nadja begins writing to her cousin in Minnesota, and over the next four years, her letters reveal the horrors of war in this former republic of Yugoslavia, while her cousin's letters give Nadja and her family some hope.