The Darkest Evening

(Paperback)

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Description

In the 1930s, some 6,000 Finnish Americans traveled to Karelia, a province in Northwestern Russia, hoping to leave the Depression behind and to establish a workers paradise. Based on these true events, The Darkest Evening chronicles the story of Jake Maki, whose father, caught up in the socialist fervor washing over their Finnish mining community in Minnesota, moves their family to the Soviet Union.
Instead of finding the utopia they were promised, Jake and his family encounter only disappointment and hardship. When Stalins secret police begin targeting Americans for arrest, his worst fears are confirmed, and Jake leads his family on a daring midwinter escape attempt on cross-country skis, fleeing toward the Finnish border.

Reviews

"Taking a little-known historical event for its context, Durbins historical fiction is every bit as exciting as the best adventure tale." Kirkus Reviews
"Readers who enjoy tales of courage under fire . . . will find this exciting stuff." Booklist
"Durbin writes historical fiction for young people better than just about anyone." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Author Bio

William Durbin is a former high school and college English teacher and the award-winning author of ten novels, including Wintering and The Broken Blade. He lives on Lake Vermilion at the edge of Minnesotas Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.