Anya’s Secret Society by Yevgenia Nayberg - ESSENTIAL

Anya’s Secret Society by Yevgenia Nayberg.  PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2019.  $18.  9781580898300

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Growing up in Russia, Anya is forced to use her right hand for anything in public – writing, eating, etc. But she can’t teach her right hand to draw and create – only her left hand can do that.  She does some research and discovers that many famous artists were also left-handed like her, so she gathers them up as a secret support group when she struggles to be herself.  When her family moves to America she tries using her left hand to see if she will be scolded – and when no one pays attention and she is able to free her creativity.

Thank goodness this barbaric, superstitious practice is becoming less and less prevalent.  There are still countries, cultures, and the odd-man-out that forces left-handers to use their right hand.  Nayberg’s book should be translated far and wide to support those who are still being persecuted.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS