Making Bombs for Hitler is a young adult novel by Canadian author Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, published in 2012.

The story begins in 1943 as Lida and her younger sister Laryssa are separated after the Nazis take over their village. Lida is sent to a work camp to become an Ostarbeiter or forced labour worker, and Laryssa disappears. 

Nine-year old Lida struggles to survive horrible conditions in camps where she and other abducted Slavic children are locked up and forced to work in factories building bombs and making bullets for the Nazi regime.

This is a very well written book about a little known aspect of Nazi camps – the 3.3 to 5 million Ostarbeiters or forced labourers. 

It stands out as a powerful message about the strength of a child facing unbelievable challenges. 

Full transcript here.


Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk.

MAKING BOMBS FOR HITLER.

Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2012. 186 p. ISBN 978-1-4431-0730-3

Available at Chapters, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Reviewed by Myra Junyk

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