Some events in history are so dark, so horrific that they are hard to wrap our brains around, even today. That may be why YA literature has so many books that deal directly with the Holocaust -- or that dance around it, giving it other names, setting the events in other places. The Island of Nollop (see previous post) is just one.
Another compelling take on this is The Diary of Pelly D by L.J. Adlington. It's a story within a story, and it's hard to describe this one completely without ruining the shocks. The framing story is that of 14 year old Tony V. He lives on another planet, in a future marked by war and genocide where free reading is forbidden. While doing his demolition job, he unearths Pelly D's buried diary. Through her life, he begins to understand the power struggles that led to his own world.
Interviews with Adlington reveal that the book was inspired by a famous historical diary. By the time you're done with the book, you'll understand whose.
Cherry Heaven, the companion novel that came out earlier this year is high on my To-Read List. She's got another book coming out in July. It's called The Glittering Eye, but I don't think it is set in the same world as the first two. L.J., please correct me on that if I'm wrong.
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