Refugees: By Sea To America
Justinas Žilinskas, Ūla Šveikauskaitė. Bėgliai: Jūrų kelias į Ameriką (Refugees: By Sea To America), Vilnius: Aukso žuvys, 2022. – 376 p. English sample translation available
This historical novel brings back to life a significant phenomenon at the beginning of the 20th century: the journey of emigrants from Europe to America, the place of their dreams. Jokūbas is a schoolboy and a son of peasants, who is persecuted by the Tsarist police for promoting Lithuanian identity. He decides to leave his native Lithuania and look for a better life on the other side of the Atlantic. His girlfriend, the noblewoman Veronika, travels with him. Many challenges await them on the way. Getting the right ticket for the ship, talking to the German stewards, getting through the medical examination, enduring the exhausting journey, and avoiding the traps of swindlers…
This novel is a light, intriguing mix of historical elements, adventure and detective story. Abundant illustrations and the comic book style of the narrative make it especially attractive.
Justinas Žilinskas (b. 1974) is a professor of international law, publicist and writer. In his books for children and young adults, he explores events in Lithuanian and world history from the middle ages to the present. He employs a modern, laconic style, creating dynamic plots with detective elements, contemporary dialogue and historical nuances. In 2017, his mythological fantasy novel Kaukas Gugis ir kerų karas (Gugis the Goblin and the War with the Sorcerers) was recognised as the best book for young adults by the Lithuanian section of IBBY.
Ūla Šveikauskaitė (b. 1994) is an artist and designer. She lives and works in Vienna. She illustrates books and journals, including The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, World Positive, and Moteris.
Illustrator’s portfolio: https://www.ulasveik.com/
Awards
2022: Best YA Book of the Year Prize (Lithuania)
Contact for rights: sigita@auksozuvys.lt
Contact for samples: kotryna.