Overview

She crossed an ocean to escape the past. But in a moment of blood and betrayal, it all catches up to her. In the aftermath of World War II, the dust of destruction lingers over the Greek island of Samos. Amid poverty, loss, and political unrest, one young woman dares to dream of a brighter future. Athena: Twirls of Unsettled Dust is the gripping and deeply moving story of a woman whose courage, faith, and selflessness carry her across continents. Athena grows up in Lekka, a war torn village on the island of Samos, scarred by violence and hunger, where even love is tested by political divides and cultural expectations. Determined to carve a new path, she moves to Athens and eventually immigrates to Canada, where she works tirelessly to bring her family to safety. But life in Montreal, Canada brings new challenges, hard labor, suspicion, betrayal, and the daily struggle to belong in a foreign land. Through moments of heartbreak and triumph, Athena's story reveals the hidden resilience of countless women who sacrificed their dreams so others could flourish. Her journey captures not only the immigrant struggle but also the universal fight for dignity, love, and hope. Blending rich historical detail with emotional depth, this sweeping saga is perfect for readers of Beneath a Scarlet Sky, The Island of Missing Trees, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Athena: Twirls of Unsettled Dust is more than a novel. It is a testament to survival, the power of defiance for the greater good, and the enduring strength of women whose voices were long left unheard. An untold historical fiction novel that follows Athena, a courageous Greek woman navigating the harsh aftermath of World War II. From the poverty and heartbreak of her village in post-war Greece to her immigrant struggles in bustling Montreal, Athena embodies strength, selflessness, and determination. Torn between love, faith, sacrifice, and survival, she faces betrayal, cultural barriers, and the unrelenting weight of responsibility as she strives to reunite her family and build a future. Perfect for fans of immigrant sagas, women's historical fiction, and post-WWII stories, this sweeping tale shines a light on resilience, faith, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Full Product Details

9781997575139

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Reviews

""A powerful, unforgettable immigrant saga of love, sacrifice, and resilience."" ""A vivid and moving portrait of one woman's courage in the aftermath of war."" ""Fans of Kristin Hannah and Victoria Hislop will be swept away by Athena's story."" ""A heartfelt, richly detailed tale of survival, family, and hope."" ""An inspiring historical novel that shines a light on women's untold voices.""

Author Information

Jessie Hionis is a Canadian author of over twenty-one books for children and adults whose writing celebrates resilience, heritage, and the human spirit. Drawing on her Greek roots and family history, she brings to life powerful untold stories of women who endured hardship, sacrifice, and survival.Her latest novel, Athena: Twirls of Unsettled Dust, is inspired by post-World War II Greece and the immigrant journey to Canada is a vivid historical fiction saga of strength, selflessness, and determination. With lyrical prose and meticulous research, Hionis captures the voices of women too often left unheard in history.Jessie is a member of the Children's Québec Writing Federation, the Canadian Children's Book Centre, and the Canada Council for the Arts. When she's not writing, she advocates for diverse storytelling, mentors young writers, and continues to explore themes of family, love, and cultural identity in her work.Jessie Hionis is a Canadian author, educator, and literary consultant whose work bridges the worlds of children's literature and political nonfiction. A lifelong teacher with over 37 years in education, Jessie understands how children learn best, through fun, creativity, and rhythm. That passion has inspired her popular book collections including The Calm and Cool Coloring Series, The Best Activity Book Ever, L'Ultime Cahier d'Activité, The Treasure Chest Collection, and Books with Heart. Her activity books and stories have helped countless children build literacy skills, discover creativity, and develop confidence in joyful, engaging ways.As a child, Jessie was fascinated by nursery rhymes and the rhythm of words, often singing them until her sisters begged her to stop. That early love of rhyme grew into a lifelong passion for storytelling. In the classroom, she used rhyme and rhythm to strengthen phonemic awareness and literacy, blending entertainment with education. Many of her teaching materials are still used in Canadian schools today.Jessie is also the author of the provocative adult nonfiction work What if Canada Became the 51st State? A bold exploration of North American politics, identity, and culture. Her writing invites readers to think critically, question assumptions, and imagine new possibilities.Now retired from teaching, Jessie lives just outside Montreal with her husband, Chris, who remains her first audience for every new story. She continues to create books that delight children, engage parents and teachers, and challenge adult readers, works that entertain while sparking deeper conversations about family, education, and society.

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