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Children's Fiction Survival Stories

Olya and Olena Escape the Invaders

by (author) Olya Illichov & Maddy Shyba

narrator Volodymyr Shyba

Publisher
Durvile Publications
Initial publish date
Dec 2022
Category
Survival Stories, Peace, Political Freedom
Recommended Age
8 to 14
Recommended Grade
3 to 9

  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781990735165
    Publish Date
    Dec 2022
    List Price
    $7.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Olya and Olena Escape the Invaders is about two young Ukrainian ballet students who escape the Russian invasion of Mariupol and embark on a difficult journey to safety. Along the way, they encounter helpers who aid them on their way, including an angelic Baba grandma and a dog named Rinnie. Although they know they will miss their homeland, they eventually make their way to Canada where they too become important helpers.

About the authors

OLYA ILLICHOV, who is 13 years old, started to write stories when she was 8. She lives in Kyiv, Ukraine but also loves to visit her grandfather in Radvantsi, a village near Lviv. Her hobbies are fishing and playing volleyball. She also helps homeless cats find forever homes.

Olya Illichov's profile page

Maddy shares a house in Calgary with two cats, an oil painter, a pianist, and a dog. When not writing Maddy likes to spend time practicing as many hobbies as possible, all at the same time.

Maddy Shyba's profile page

VOLODYMYR SHYBA is a musician and music teacher who studied guitar in Donetsk and Odessa. He loves to perform and to educate others to enjoy music. His first song to officially release (pages 38/39) is dedicated to all Ukrainians who are suffering in the war.

Volodymyr Shyba's profile page

Excerpt: Olya and Olena Escape the Invaders (by (author) Olya Illichov & Maddy Shyba; narrator Volodymyr Shyba)

Chapter One

The Mariupol Dance School

 

It was a blue-sky morning for the students of Mariupol’s Dance School. Everyone was eager to get to their classes and prepare for the school’s recital of The Winter’s Tale. Two of the older students, Olya and Olena, did their warmups together before class, just like they always did.

“I wish I could have played the princess,” Olya sighed.

“Not me,” Olena giggled. “I like being a shepherdess!”

Their teacher arrived right on time and the whole class paid close attention. There was only one week left until the performance and there was still a lot of work to be done. Class began, and they went through the choreography they knew by heart. The students remembered every detail, but still the teacher shook his head when they finished.

“You’re each dancing as if you’re alone,” he said to them. “It won’t matter how beautifully you dance if you don’t dance with one another.”

The dancers listened to what he said, and when they danced again their movements became smoother and smoother, until they danced with unified grace. Their teacher smiled, and the class felt proud by the end of their time together.

They were paying such close attention to dancing that the class was over before they even realized it. Olena and Olya were the last students to leave.

There was a rumble of thunder in the distance as they picked up their bags, but they noticed through the studio windows that the sky was clear blue, without a cloud.

“That’s weird,” said Olya, looking out across the school campus and towards the city. She looked down at the street and she was surprised to see military tanks and unfamiliar soldiers approaching.

They heard the rumbling sound again, and then louder. This time, the room shook with loud booms and the booming noise didn’t stop. Olena grabbed Olya and pulled her away from the window. When they looked back, a cloud of fire and dust rose up from the walls of the apartment building across the road, which was being destroyed before their very eyes.

“What’s happening?” Olya shouted. Both girls were frightened and confused, but too stunned to move. Suddenly, they each felt a firm hand grasp their wrists and they were pulled toward the stairs.

“This way!” shouted their teacher, who had come back to bring them to safety.

 

***

 

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