The 5th bilingual graphic memoir in the powerful series, “Our Stories Carried Us Here.” Escaping Ukraine, Finding Hope tells the timely story of one family leaving their beloved homeland to start over in America.
Once a teacher and devoted mother, Mila Mostova’s days of teaching and gardening turn into nights of air sirens and explosions from war. As danger closes in, Mila makes a heartbreaking choice to leave Ukraine and protect her children at all costs.
With the help of Sue, her former American host, Mila and her kids embark on a daring journey to Duluth, Minnesota. Starting over isn’t easy, but Mila’s determination never wavers. Her children embrace a new school and language, while Mila channels her strength into building a new life—helping others overcome challenges, just as she has.
This bilingual book, written in Ukrainian and English, bursts to life with stunning illustrations by a Ukrainian newcomer. Perfect for classrooms and libraries, “Escaping Ukraine, Finding Hope” is a moving tale of survival, hope, and resilience. It captures the hardships of families displaced by war and the incredible power of kindness, community, and the human spirit.
Book Contents
- 64 pages in full color
- Discussion questions
- Important concepts about Mila’s story
- Words to know from the story
- Written in English and Ukrainian
- Reading comprehension for ages 8+
About the Contributors of ESCAPING UKRAINE, FINDING HOPE
Mila Mostova
Storyteller of Escaping Ukraine, Finding Hope
From: Buchach, Ukraine
Current: Duluth, Minnesota
Mila Mostova, a teacher in Ukraine fled war-torn Ukraine with her children, leaving behind her home and career. Air raid sirens and explosions forced her to seek safety, leading her to Duluth, Minnesota, through the United for Ukraine program. There, she rebuilt her life, supporting her children, working in mental health, and helping others overcome challenges. She continues to advocate for Ukraine and raise awareness about the immigrant experience.
Diana Maksymenko
Cover artist and illustrator of Escaping Ukraine, Finding Hope
Born: Odessa, Ukraine
Current: Laguna Niguel, California
Diana is a seasoned illustrator with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life through both traditional and digital techniques. Her work spans book covers, children’s books, editorial pieces, and packaging design, with clients across publishing, advertising, and entertainment.
With a keen eye for detail and a deep commitment to visual storytelling, Diana excels at translating ideas into compelling illustrations. She’s known for her collaborative approach—listening closely to clients’ visions and crafting artwork that’s both beautiful and meaningful. Her passion for illustration shines through in every project, always delivered with creativity, care, and professionalism.
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About the Children’s Bilingual Graphic Novel Series, Our Stories Carried Us Here
Following the breakout success of the graphic novel anthology, Our Stories Carried Us Here, Green Card Voices presents the children’s graphic novel series of the same name. In this series, we explore the same challenging questions of identity, race, and discrimination, but written for an audience in grades 3-5. As our student population becomes increasingly BIPOC (52% of US school population in 2020), teachers and parents are searching for books that are reflective of who their students and children are, and which help them feel more at home in America. Through authentic narratives from immigrant storytellers and engaging full color visuals, developing and fluent readers access and explore a variety of distinctly American experiences. Each book features a single story presented in both English and the native language of the storyteller. Moreover, supporting pages provide background building content, thought provoking discussion questions, and a well curated list of additional resources for extension opportunities.
Reading Level: 600L-1200L
Audience: All children, 3th -5th grade, 8-12 years old
Objectives:
- Share cultures, stories of children immigrants, first and possibly second generation
- Show how diverse each immigrant journey is
- Focus on a diverse group of children immigrants coming from several different regions
- Vol 1.: Mexico (March 2022)
- BELONGING TO AMERICA AND MEXICO
- Vol 2: Yemen
- Vol 3.: Cambodia
- Vol 4: Hmong
- Vol 5: Ukraine
- Vol 1.: Mexico (March 2022)
- Provide detailed and authentic resources for other children immigrant to reference about their culture
- Focus on the change/transition from the immigrant’s previous life in their birth country to America
- Show the integration of their culture and America’s culture and how they could still be themselves and follow their culture while living in America
Book Details:
- Estimated total count of pages: 32 pages in English, translated; TOTAL: 64 pages
- Type of book: Children’s hardcover book
- Bilingual flip book: one language on one side (front), another on the other side (back)
- Dimensions of book: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
Book Design:
- Use illustration by immigrant illustrator (preferably from the same region)
- Book cover will be a illustrated with a color portrait (all volumes will follow the same structure)
- Color palette: each volume has its own color palette