First Chapter Friday | Winterkill by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Описание: This is the perfect book for this Friday's first chapter hook, not only because it tells the tale of the Holodomor (Ukrainian famine caused by the Soviet Union communists in the 1930s) which is timely, shocking, riveting story of loss and survival, but the truth of the story was discovered by a woman journalist, Rhea Clyman who deserves to be discovered this International Woman's day, March 8th.

Winterkill by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, is a gripping middle-grade historical novel (suitable for ages 11+, with some graphic violence in later chapters—preview for younger readers).
Scholastic offers a free peak into both the 1st & 2nd chapters here: Use Scholastic’s 2 chapter sample
https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ec...
Buy the book at Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2742a56u
Listen to the whole story on Hoopla OR LibroFM

Intro 00:00:00 - 00:01:00
Chapter 1: 00:01:01 - 00:30:00
Lessons/Discussion topics
Chair symbolism. 00:30:55
International Woman Day /Rhea Clyman 00:31:48
Holodomor: 00:34:00
Google Map/5 Themes Geography: 00:34:25
American Library Assoc: 00:35:17
Scholastic Winterkill book trailer 00:35:32
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch Bio/Oliver Twist. 00:36:36
Outro. 00:37:00

Skrypuch's meticulous research turns harrowing history into a readable, emotionally powerful story for middle grades through young adulthood. It exposes the Holodomor as deliberate genocide, not natural famine, and fosters deep suspicion of propaganda and socialism's promises.
Key discussion points include:

The motif of "chairs" at the family table—strangers occupying them symbolizes the larger theft of homes, land, and autonomy.

Ties to timeless lessons: questioning authority, the value of truth-telling, and resilience.
Do a comparison to today - Have students find a situation in the news similar to a scene in the first 2 chapters (can use the Scholastic sample)

Research the Holodomor → Dive into primary sources, deportations (e.g., 100,000+ in early waves), GPU secret police actions, and propaganda. Start with: Holdomor https://holodomorct.org/

Use Google Maps to explore village names from the book (like Felivka/Felivka area) and see modern Ukraine. Create an assignment using the 5 themes of geography impacted the area. Maybe a pretend newspaper - like journalist Rhea Clyman, (https://newpathway.ca/hunger-truth-rh....

Create pysanky eggs → Tie into the family's cherished bowl of decades-old decorated eggs (symbols of spring, rebirth, and protection against evil—devastating events unfold with them later). Use wax-resist dyeing (batik-style) with beeswax, dyes, and tools. Search YouTube tutorials for beginner guides. Fun cultural/hands-on art project around Easter time!

Read Oliver Twist → Author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch was dyslexic and didn't read until age 9; her first book was Oliver Twist in fourth grade, transforming her love of reading. Assign it as a comparison: discuss challenging classics, perseverance in learning, and themes of injustice/poverty that echo Winterkill.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Scholastic book trailer:    • Winterkill Hardcover by Marsha Forchuk Skr...  

American Library Association: article about other books- historical
https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/under...
I highly recommend Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys and The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia by Esther Hautzig.

Teachers Pay Teachers unit study: https://tinyurl.com/yrcu6fzw

This book sparks meaningful conversations about freedom, family bonds, truth vs. lies, and historical resilience—ideal for thoughtful homeschool units or literature circles on 20th-century history, genocide studies, or Ukrainian heritage. If you're teaching about propaganda's dangers or human rights, Winterkill is a powerful, age-appropriate entry point.