Zlata's Diary

A parent would reach for this book when their child begins asking difficult questions about global conflict, war, or why some children must live through such scary circumstances. It is a powerful resource for fostering empathy and perspective in an increasingly complex world. Zlata's Diary follows the true story of a young girl in Sarajevo as her life transforms from ordinary school days to the realities of a city under siege. Through her writing, she processes intense emotions like fear, grief, and a longing for justice, while maintaining the resilient spirit of a child. This book is best suited for middle and high school students, offering a deeply personal look at the human cost of war. Parents may choose it to help their children understand history through a relatable lens, grounding distant headlines in the lived experience of a peer.