The Blackbird Girls

I often find it hard to sink into a historical fiction MG title, but this one absolutely sucked me in. The Chernobyl disaster isn't something widely addressed in kids' lit, and this title handles it so well. The interwoven political and social dynamics are heartbreaking, but the friendship the two main characters develop despite everything is so lovely. (This is also now a Sydney Taylor Book Award Silver Medalist)
Stacey