River to Freedom - Hardcover

by Alexander T. Holmes (Author), Sunette Holmes Louw (Illustrator)

Set during the turbulent 1950s and early 1960s under the USSR regime, this Christian-based adventure follows the journey of three teenage schoolboys who are forcefully separated from their families by the Communist government. Taken to an academy in Ukraine, the boys are isolated in an attempt to protect them from religious indoctrination.

However, with a looming interrogation by KGB agents that could betray the only two people they trust, the boys decide to flee. With support from a Christian underground movement, they embark on a daring escape. Soon, they are joined by a local friend who is skilled in navigating the wilderness.

Armed only with a map and compass, the group treks through wild terrain and crosses mountains into Russia, all while being relentlessly pursued by the police and KGB agents.

Their journey leads them to the streets of Moscow, where they disappear among the many street children, evading capture. There they find refuge with both the Christian and Jewish underground movements. With their help, the children manage to contact their families and plan their final escape from Russia.

The story not only follows the friends' perilous adventure, but traces their individual paths into adulthood, showcasing their unique journeys and ultimate destinations.

This captivating tale weaves together themes of danger, endurance, camaraderie, longing, triumph, and even love.