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The Sunflower Boys
A poignant coming-of-age story with the sensitivity and haunting power of What Belongs to You and Swimming in the Dark, about a young boy wrestling with his sexuality as war breaks out in modern Ukraine.
In many ways, twelve-year-old Artem’s life in Chernihiv, Ukraine, is normal. He spends his days helping on his grandfather’s sunflower farm, drawing in his sketchbook—a treasured gift from his father, who works in America—and swimming in the river with his little brother, Yuri. In secret, Artem has begun wrestling with romantic feelings for his best friend, Viktor. In a country where love between two boys is unthinkable, Artem has begun to worry that growing up, his life will never be normal.
Then, on a February night, Artem and Yuri are woken by explosions—the beginning of a war that will tear their life in two. The invading Russians destroy their home, killing their mother and grandfather, and leaving young Artem and Yuri to fend for themselves. Fleeing in hopes of somehow reuniting with their father, the brothers traverse the country their ancestors once fought and died for, with nothing but their backpacks and each other. Surrounded by death and destruction, Artem is certain of one thing—that whatever may come, he must keep himself and his brother alive.
A harrowing and gorgeous tale of love, identity, lost innocence, and survival set in a time of devastating war, The Sunflower Boys is a powerful, heartrending exploration of young queer love, the Ukrainian spirit, and a family’s struggle to survive.
In many ways, twelve-year-old Artem’s life in Chernihiv, Ukraine, is normal. He spends his days helping on his grandfather’s sunflower farm, drawing in his sketchbook—a treasured gift from his father, who works in America—and swimming in the river with his little brother, Yuri. In secret, Artem has begun wrestling with romantic feelings for his best friend, Viktor. In a country where love between two boys is unthinkable, Artem has begun to worry that growing up, his life will never be normal.
Then, on a February night, Artem and Yuri are woken by explosions—the beginning of a war that will tear their life in two. The invading Russians destroy their home, killing their mother and grandfather, and leaving young Artem and Yuri to fend for themselves. Fleeing in hopes of somehow reuniting with their father, the brothers traverse the country their ancestors once fought and died for, with nothing but their backpacks and each other. Surrounded by death and destruction, Artem is certain of one thing—that whatever may come, he must keep himself and his brother alive.
A harrowing and gorgeous tale of love, identity, lost innocence, and survival set in a time of devastating war, The Sunflower Boys is a powerful, heartrending exploration of young queer love, the Ukrainian spirit, and a family’s struggle to survive.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2025
112 people are currently reading
7907 people want to read
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August 12, 2025
Thank you Harper Books for sending me a free advance copy!
THE SUNFLOWER BOYS by Sam Wachman caught my eye because the story takes place in Ukraine and follows a boy, Artem, whose world is turned upside down when Russia launches a full-scale invasion of his country. We watched the news in horror back in 2022 but time and other tragic events have pushed this war from the forefront of many of our minds. This story serves as a reminder that people are still suffering, lives destroyed and lost. While the author uses creative license with the characters, he captures the experiences of Ukrainians during this senseless war.
A coming of age novel for a few reasons . You have a child forced to grow up due to horrific circumstances and is put in survival mode. Artem is also questioning his sexuality and struggles with the feelings he has towards his best friend. A stunning debut novel that has a mix of heartbreaking and beautiful moments. I burst into tears after I finished the book as it was such an emotional read and I needed some form of release.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
THE SUNFLOWER BOYS by Sam Wachman caught my eye because the story takes place in Ukraine and follows a boy, Artem, whose world is turned upside down when Russia launches a full-scale invasion of his country. We watched the news in horror back in 2022 but time and other tragic events have pushed this war from the forefront of many of our minds. This story serves as a reminder that people are still suffering, lives destroyed and lost. While the author uses creative license with the characters, he captures the experiences of Ukrainians during this senseless war.
A coming of age novel for a few reasons . You have a child forced to grow up due to horrific circumstances and is put in survival mode. Artem is also questioning his sexuality and struggles with the feelings he has towards his best friend. A stunning debut novel that has a mix of heartbreaking and beautiful moments. I burst into tears after I finished the book as it was such an emotional read and I needed some form of release.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
April 9, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Harper for choosing me.
Even before I started reading this book, I knew without a doubt that it was going to shatter my soul. I was still drawn to it and I was fully invested in the story, utterly consumed by it. From beginning to end. If I could, I’d give this book an infinite number of stars.
The relationship between Artem and Yuri is pure and wholesome. Yuri’s innocence is a breath of fresh air the entire journey. Watching them together, having each other’s backs and taking care of the other was beautiful. Viktor and Artem’s friendship is pure and untainted until suddenly they reach a point of no return and although they drift apart for a time eventually their friendship prevails – their brotherhood is solidified. Watching them come back to one another was magical. The relief was palpable for both boys.
Sam Wachman does an incredible job of transporting his readers to Ukraine. I spent time inside a treehouse with two young boys whose friendship was their entire world. I spent time with them under the cover of night as they watched horror movies while Titka Natasha and Dyadko Sasha slept in the other room. I walked beside Mama as she did the best she could to care for her boys. I spent quality time with Did Pasha in the Sunflower fields as he taught his grandchildren who they were as he shared his life story with them. I sat on the windowsill with Artem and Yuri and smiled along with them as they strengthened their bond. I felt the fear, the worry, the confusion and the pain as two boys had their childhood extinguished within the confines of a toy chest in mere seconds. I traveled alongside the brothers as they ran for their lives, hoping to survive the atrocity they had just been forced to witness. I felt their grief, their heartache and their eventual relief when they were re-united with Tato. He made me feel like I was running beside them, hopping on the train with them, sitting right by their side as it made its way across Ukraine to safe harbor. I witnessed the bravery it took for Artem to openly be who he is, for him to take care of Yuri, and finally to take the steps to take care of himself. There’s a moment between Titka Natasha and Artem that will stay with me forever. It seems that a mother always knows exactly what a son needs to hear at the exact right moment and I felt as if I was sitting right there with her in that moment.
My heart is in shambles, I haven’t been able to stop the tears and yet out of their tragedy comes one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever had the opportunity to read- I will be forever grateful that I was picked to read this book. It deals with the heaviest of topics – war, sexual identity, death and grief. It also shows us the other side of that – love, bravery, finding yourself, acceptance, brotherhood and friendship.
Did Pasha, Tato, Mama, Dyadko Sasha, Titka Natasha, Viktor, Yuri and Artem have all burrowed their way into my heart. I know for a fact that I will never be able to forget any of them. Their story has been etched permanently onto my soul.
Although it’s fiction, this book can be and is many people’s reality. I can go on and on about all the reasons this book is amazing, but no words that come to mind do it justice. I will say to go into it prepared to be torn to pieces again and again, and walk into it with your heart open. It will break your heart and also fill it to the brim with so much love. It overflows on every page throughout the book even when you think there’s no way love could be present in that moment, the pain I feel is completely worth it to know Artem Vovchenko.
Even before I started reading this book, I knew without a doubt that it was going to shatter my soul. I was still drawn to it and I was fully invested in the story, utterly consumed by it. From beginning to end. If I could, I’d give this book an infinite number of stars.
The relationship between Artem and Yuri is pure and wholesome. Yuri’s innocence is a breath of fresh air the entire journey. Watching them together, having each other’s backs and taking care of the other was beautiful. Viktor and Artem’s friendship is pure and untainted until suddenly they reach a point of no return and although they drift apart for a time eventually their friendship prevails – their brotherhood is solidified. Watching them come back to one another was magical. The relief was palpable for both boys.
Sam Wachman does an incredible job of transporting his readers to Ukraine. I spent time inside a treehouse with two young boys whose friendship was their entire world. I spent time with them under the cover of night as they watched horror movies while Titka Natasha and Dyadko Sasha slept in the other room. I walked beside Mama as she did the best she could to care for her boys. I spent quality time with Did Pasha in the Sunflower fields as he taught his grandchildren who they were as he shared his life story with them. I sat on the windowsill with Artem and Yuri and smiled along with them as they strengthened their bond. I felt the fear, the worry, the confusion and the pain as two boys had their childhood extinguished within the confines of a toy chest in mere seconds. I traveled alongside the brothers as they ran for their lives, hoping to survive the atrocity they had just been forced to witness. I felt their grief, their heartache and their eventual relief when they were re-united with Tato. He made me feel like I was running beside them, hopping on the train with them, sitting right by their side as it made its way across Ukraine to safe harbor. I witnessed the bravery it took for Artem to openly be who he is, for him to take care of Yuri, and finally to take the steps to take care of himself. There’s a moment between Titka Natasha and Artem that will stay with me forever. It seems that a mother always knows exactly what a son needs to hear at the exact right moment and I felt as if I was sitting right there with her in that moment.
My heart is in shambles, I haven’t been able to stop the tears and yet out of their tragedy comes one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever had the opportunity to read- I will be forever grateful that I was picked to read this book. It deals with the heaviest of topics – war, sexual identity, death and grief. It also shows us the other side of that – love, bravery, finding yourself, acceptance, brotherhood and friendship.
Did Pasha, Tato, Mama, Dyadko Sasha, Titka Natasha, Viktor, Yuri and Artem have all burrowed their way into my heart. I know for a fact that I will never be able to forget any of them. Their story has been etched permanently onto my soul.
Although it’s fiction, this book can be and is many people’s reality. I can go on and on about all the reasons this book is amazing, but no words that come to mind do it justice. I will say to go into it prepared to be torn to pieces again and again, and walk into it with your heart open. It will break your heart and also fill it to the brim with so much love. It overflows on every page throughout the book even when you think there’s no way love could be present in that moment, the pain I feel is completely worth it to know Artem Vovchenko.
April 22, 2025
*This was an ARC Goodreads Giveaway*
What an incredible story and beautifully written. It begins with life before the war and dealing with emerging adulthood and sexuality, describing a beautiful place that I wish I had or will have a chance to visit. The stories of the war and becoming a refugee were gripping, and then Artem coming to America and trying to adjust in a classroom made me think of some of my own refugee students and what they've had to navigate. I cried. Recommend to anyone and everyone.
What an incredible story and beautifully written. It begins with life before the war and dealing with emerging adulthood and sexuality, describing a beautiful place that I wish I had or will have a chance to visit. The stories of the war and becoming a refugee were gripping, and then Artem coming to America and trying to adjust in a classroom made me think of some of my own refugee students and what they've had to navigate. I cried. Recommend to anyone and everyone.
August 21, 2025
An amazing debut. Stunning, horrific and beautiful. I loved it. A must read for our times.
September 9, 2025
Wow. This book is written with so much heart. Experiencing it through the perspective of a Ukrainian youth makes the story hit even harder. It’s raw, it’s tender, and it’s unflinchingly honest.
It doesn’t shy away from the reality of war or the weight of loss, yet somehow there’s still light in the laughter, in the friendships, in brotherhood and in the small moments of hope. It feels like a reminder of resilience, and of the cost and strength of growing up in the shadow of conflict.
It doesn’t shy away from the reality of war or the weight of loss, yet somehow there’s still light in the laughter, in the friendships, in brotherhood and in the small moments of hope. It feels like a reminder of resilience, and of the cost and strength of growing up in the shadow of conflict.
April 10, 2025
Thanks to the author for my copy.
September 4, 2025
Peab olema hingelt poeet, et seda kirja panna.
Ja peab taluma palju pisaraid. Nii enda kui teiste omi.
Ja peab taluma palju pisaraid. Nii enda kui teiste omi.
September 5, 2025
Sam Wachman taught English in Ukraine and when the war started he continued to teach English but in refugee camps in Romania. As a teacher he began compiling stories of his students both before and during the war. He began writing his book before the war, but it changed significantly once the war started.
“Don’t be sad,” he tells us. “This is not a land of war and sorrow. This is your country, sunflower boys. The dirt and the sky and everything in between. It’s your inheritance. It all belongs to you.”
Artem and Yuri are brothers who live with their mother while their father lives and works in the United States sending money home to them. The author builds the story of the brothers and Artem's best friend Viktor as carefree youth. Artem and Viktor are approaching puberty. Artem's parents have tasked him with caring for his younger brother Yuri.
Wachman builds the story slowly so the reader has a real sense of life in a small town in Ukraine in which the boys are free to explore the countryside. We read a significant portion of the book before the war starts, but we know what might happen.
This is a debut novel and I think Wachman has some skills which need further development.
It did me much to ponder over and I will remember those characters.
“Don’t be sad,” he tells us. “This is not a land of war and sorrow. This is your country, sunflower boys. The dirt and the sky and everything in between. It’s your inheritance. It all belongs to you.”
Artem and Yuri are brothers who live with their mother while their father lives and works in the United States sending money home to them. The author builds the story of the brothers and Artem's best friend Viktor as carefree youth. Artem and Viktor are approaching puberty. Artem's parents have tasked him with caring for his younger brother Yuri.
Wachman builds the story slowly so the reader has a real sense of life in a small town in Ukraine in which the boys are free to explore the countryside. We read a significant portion of the book before the war starts, but we know what might happen.
This is a debut novel and I think Wachman has some skills which need further development.
It did me much to ponder over and I will remember those characters.
August 31, 2025
Sam Wachman’s “The Sunflower Boys” is a moving and beautifully written story that really pulls you in with its atmosphere and characters. The early scenes of Artem’s life in Ukraine—helping on his grandfather’s farm, swimming with his little brother, quietly falling for his best friend Viktor—are full of warmth and small, tender moments. The relationship between the boys is handled with a lot of care and sensitivity, and the bond between Artem and Yuri as they try to survive after war breaks out is heartbreaking and full of love. It’s a story that balances softness and devastation in a way that really sticks with you.
The book does a great job showing what it feels like to grow up too fast—especially when childhood is cut short by something as terrifying as war. The writing is often beautiful and emotional, and it paints a clear picture of Artem’s inner world, full of confusion, hope, and quiet strength. Even in the bleakest moments, there are glimmers of love and humanity that keep you hooked.
That said, the tone is a bit uneven at times. Artem is supposed to be twelve, but the way he thinks and speaks sometimes feels much older—more like a seasoned teenager or even an adult. It’s an odd mix of YA and adult, which can take you out of the story. Despite that mismatch, the book is an enlightening read that blends young queer love, family, and survival in a way that’s both emotional and unforgettable. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for the ARC.
The book does a great job showing what it feels like to grow up too fast—especially when childhood is cut short by something as terrifying as war. The writing is often beautiful and emotional, and it paints a clear picture of Artem’s inner world, full of confusion, hope, and quiet strength. Even in the bleakest moments, there are glimmers of love and humanity that keep you hooked.
That said, the tone is a bit uneven at times. Artem is supposed to be twelve, but the way he thinks and speaks sometimes feels much older—more like a seasoned teenager or even an adult. It’s an odd mix of YA and adult, which can take you out of the story. Despite that mismatch, the book is an enlightening read that blends young queer love, family, and survival in a way that’s both emotional and unforgettable. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for the ARC.
August 20, 2025
I needed the writing to be from a more mature voice. This felt like a book for grade school children.
August 23, 2025
Nothing like a big cry on a Saturday night.
August 29, 2025
Indescribably beautiful. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. What I thought was going to be a tale of queer coming out and finding oneself is so, so much more. Devastating perspectives bring the war in Ukraine to the foreground and demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit, connection, and love. A remarkable first novel for such a young and gifted writer! Artem’s story is beautifully told. My heart jerked several times throughout reading—seldom have I had such visceral reactions to the plights of leading characters.
August 9, 2025
This book gutted me but in the absolute best way that fiction can. Is it possible to give more than 5 stars?
July 10, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a deeply moving coming of age story and I absolutely loved Artem. As he navigates his own sexuality and copes with war in his country, his story is filled with lust and hope. This book terrified me at times and made me tear up with pride at others. A mix of survival, sadness, love, and pushing on when nothing seems certain and safe. The storytelling is so beautiful the way it flows and I felt like I was right there while it all happened. An absolute must read!
August 8, 2025
Welp. I'm gonna need a minute. What a devistatingly beautiful read!
Twelve year old Artem lives in Chernihiv, Ukraine, with his mother and little brother, Yuri. Just as we're getting a real taste for his life with his best friend (and secret crush) Viktor, Chernihiv is bombed by Russia and Artem must protect his brother as they travel across their war-torn country alone.
Heartfelt, tragic, full of grief and showcasing an enduring brotherly love, this book had me sobbing with the knowledge that, while fiction, the realities of the devistation in Ukraine is all too real.
Don't expect a happy ending wrapped in a neat little bow. War isn't like that. And coming out on the other side for anyone, especially young children, is messy and traumatic. But this book does show us that love endures even as families break and reform.
Sam Wachman depicts it all with aching beauty and still manages to embue us with hope. This one is a must-read. I'll carry Artem and Yuri in my heart for a long time.
I received this ARC from publisher @harperbooks. The opinions are my own.
The Sunflower Boys will be released on August 12, 2025.
Twelve year old Artem lives in Chernihiv, Ukraine, with his mother and little brother, Yuri. Just as we're getting a real taste for his life with his best friend (and secret crush) Viktor, Chernihiv is bombed by Russia and Artem must protect his brother as they travel across their war-torn country alone.
Heartfelt, tragic, full of grief and showcasing an enduring brotherly love, this book had me sobbing with the knowledge that, while fiction, the realities of the devistation in Ukraine is all too real.
Don't expect a happy ending wrapped in a neat little bow. War isn't like that. And coming out on the other side for anyone, especially young children, is messy and traumatic. But this book does show us that love endures even as families break and reform.
Sam Wachman depicts it all with aching beauty and still manages to embue us with hope. This one is a must-read. I'll carry Artem and Yuri in my heart for a long time.
I received this ARC from publisher @harperbooks. The opinions are my own.
The Sunflower Boys will be released on August 12, 2025.
August 25, 2025
This book is fantastically mature while balancing the youthful perspective of the main character. What starts as a childish innocence evolves into a heart-wrenchingly mature resilience. This is a devastating and entirely necessary read.
I'm grateful to the author for sharing with us this heartfelt and passionate portrayal of Ukraine, in its best and worst times.
It touched my heart and opened my eyes.
I'm grateful to the author for sharing with us this heartfelt and passionate portrayal of Ukraine, in its best and worst times.
It touched my heart and opened my eyes.
July 10, 2025
I requested and received an eARC of
The Sunflower Boys
by Sam Wachman via NetGalley. Growing up in Chernihiv, Ukraine, twelve-year-old Artem's life is normal from the outside. He spends his days in school or working on his grandfather's sunflower farm, drawing in his sketchbook, and caring for his younger brother, Yuri. On the inside, however, he has begun to wrestle with romantic feelings for his best friend, Viktor, and worries that his life will never be normal. Then, on a February night, Artem and Yuri, are woken by explosions. As war devastates their life, Artem's attention shifts to protecting Yuri and fleeing in hopes of reuniting with their father who has been working in America.
It was difficult not to get swept away in the world of Artem’s cozy childhood. I quickly grew fond of his mother and grandfather. The friendship with Viktor and Artem’s subsequent feelings felt very real. Wachman does a terrific job of capturing the pain and fear that arise from realizing one’s queerness in adolescence and in many ways, it reminded me of one of my own childhood friendships. I think my favorite dynamic, however, is between Artem and Yuri. The author did a tremendous job of depicting their bond and it provided light during some of the novel’s darkest moments.
The Sunflower Boys is a beautifully written coming-of-age novel that takes a tragic turn. The author does not immediately jump into conflict but rather provides the reader with ample space to truly develop a bond with Artem, his family, and their shared Ukrainian culture which heightens the effect of the narrative. The story, told through the eyes of a young protagonist, drives home the devastation of war and the ensuing trauma. Humanity shines through on every page and elicits an emotional response. This novel is timely, joyous, and devastating. It is by far one of my favorites of this year.
It was difficult not to get swept away in the world of Artem’s cozy childhood. I quickly grew fond of his mother and grandfather. The friendship with Viktor and Artem’s subsequent feelings felt very real. Wachman does a terrific job of capturing the pain and fear that arise from realizing one’s queerness in adolescence and in many ways, it reminded me of one of my own childhood friendships. I think my favorite dynamic, however, is between Artem and Yuri. The author did a tremendous job of depicting their bond and it provided light during some of the novel’s darkest moments.
The Sunflower Boys is a beautifully written coming-of-age novel that takes a tragic turn. The author does not immediately jump into conflict but rather provides the reader with ample space to truly develop a bond with Artem, his family, and their shared Ukrainian culture which heightens the effect of the narrative. The story, told through the eyes of a young protagonist, drives home the devastation of war and the ensuing trauma. Humanity shines through on every page and elicits an emotional response. This novel is timely, joyous, and devastating. It is by far one of my favorites of this year.
September 9, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway and wanted to give my honest feedback as thanks.
I was immediately drawn to this book knowing that it follows a young boy, Artem, through a war-torn Ukraine and the struggles that he and his family faces. Not only does he have to navigate war, but also his sexuality, as he starts to feel drawn to his best friend Viktor. In a country where love between two boys is unthinkable, Artem must learn that being himself is most important to being happy.
This is a beautifully heartbreaking story. The way the chapters are laid out is symbolic of the passage of time in war - how everything seems so insignificant and outside of surviving, there is not much to think about. Also, the short chapters made me fly through the pages. The way that people deal with trauma and grief is depicted so stunningly and shows how important processing your emotions can be. War is not easy and sexuality is not easy - the book dealt with both topics in a heartfelt and emotional way. I cried quite a few times from the pain the characters felt and the horrific things they had to endure. They were kids, but their childhood ended in war.
My favorite quote is “This is a war story, and war stories don’t have morals. They do not have happy endings…To kill is not glorious. To kill another human, you must first kill the human inside you and allow a different creature, a terrible creature, to take his place. That is the only way a real war story ends - with grief and destruction, with peaceful people dead and armies of the terrible still shambling about the earth, broken in ways that cannot be healed” (Wachman 318).
I have already recommended it to all of my friends and family. This is a must-read.
I was immediately drawn to this book knowing that it follows a young boy, Artem, through a war-torn Ukraine and the struggles that he and his family faces. Not only does he have to navigate war, but also his sexuality, as he starts to feel drawn to his best friend Viktor. In a country where love between two boys is unthinkable, Artem must learn that being himself is most important to being happy.
This is a beautifully heartbreaking story. The way the chapters are laid out is symbolic of the passage of time in war - how everything seems so insignificant and outside of surviving, there is not much to think about. Also, the short chapters made me fly through the pages. The way that people deal with trauma and grief is depicted so stunningly and shows how important processing your emotions can be. War is not easy and sexuality is not easy - the book dealt with both topics in a heartfelt and emotional way. I cried quite a few times from the pain the characters felt and the horrific things they had to endure. They were kids, but their childhood ended in war.
My favorite quote is “This is a war story, and war stories don’t have morals. They do not have happy endings…To kill is not glorious. To kill another human, you must first kill the human inside you and allow a different creature, a terrible creature, to take his place. That is the only way a real war story ends - with grief and destruction, with peaceful people dead and armies of the terrible still shambling about the earth, broken in ways that cannot be healed” (Wachman 318).
I have already recommended it to all of my friends and family. This is a must-read.
August 12, 2025
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀 is a stunning debut by Sam Wachman. With its poignant portrayal of loss and resilience, this is a must-read right now.
12-year-old Artem Vovchenko lives a happy and normal childhood in Chernihiv, Ukraine, enjoying swimming with his brother Yuri, riding bikes and having sleepovers with his best friend Viktor. Artem’s father (or “Tato” in Ukrainian) works in America to support his family, but Artem’s most pressing issue is whether Viktor also shares the same feelings for Artem.
On February 24, 2022, Artem’s world is shattered when Russian soldiers invade. Artem and Yuri must embark on a harrowing ordeal to try and reunite with their Tato. The author has written a brilliantly detailed description of both ordinary life in Ukraine as well as the brutality of war and its effects on its citizens.
Although this book deals with violence and grief, it is ultimately hopeful. Artem is traumatized after his experiences and cannot move forward with his life, until his art provides a way for him to heal from his sorrow.
A memorable quote from this extraordinary story is, ““𝘞𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥; 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵.” I truly felt all the feelings while reading this book. Not to be missed!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
12-year-old Artem Vovchenko lives a happy and normal childhood in Chernihiv, Ukraine, enjoying swimming with his brother Yuri, riding bikes and having sleepovers with his best friend Viktor. Artem’s father (or “Tato” in Ukrainian) works in America to support his family, but Artem’s most pressing issue is whether Viktor also shares the same feelings for Artem.
On February 24, 2022, Artem’s world is shattered when Russian soldiers invade. Artem and Yuri must embark on a harrowing ordeal to try and reunite with their Tato. The author has written a brilliantly detailed description of both ordinary life in Ukraine as well as the brutality of war and its effects on its citizens.
Although this book deals with violence and grief, it is ultimately hopeful. Artem is traumatized after his experiences and cannot move forward with his life, until his art provides a way for him to heal from his sorrow.
A memorable quote from this extraordinary story is, ““𝘞𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥; 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵.” I truly felt all the feelings while reading this book. Not to be missed!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 12, 2025
A poignant, immersive and mixed tale of innocence, childhood, loss, war and violence. A devastating story of how things can change suddenly. Of how the rug can be pulled out from under you. An unraveling of the peace you know.
This touching coming of age story follows 12 year old Artem and his simple life in Ukraine with his mother and brother and his relationship with his best friend, Viktor and his family. It continued with the horrors of the Russian invasion and his journey to a new life in the US.
The Sunflower Boys is based on the real life stories/experiences of some of the author’s friends. I loved the author’s storytelling. His style is beautiful and direct. The dramatisation is very real and immersive.
I loved how the book started with the introduction of all the main characters and the ease and quiet of life in Ukraine which set the tone for the bond between Artem and Viktor. The part about the war from the perspective of a pre-teen will stay with me a long time.
I received an advanced copy of this book and the review is mine and voluntary.
This touching coming of age story follows 12 year old Artem and his simple life in Ukraine with his mother and brother and his relationship with his best friend, Viktor and his family. It continued with the horrors of the Russian invasion and his journey to a new life in the US.
The Sunflower Boys is based on the real life stories/experiences of some of the author’s friends. I loved the author’s storytelling. His style is beautiful and direct. The dramatisation is very real and immersive.
I loved how the book started with the introduction of all the main characters and the ease and quiet of life in Ukraine which set the tone for the bond between Artem and Viktor. The part about the war from the perspective of a pre-teen will stay with me a long time.
I received an advanced copy of this book and the review is mine and voluntary.
August 13, 2025
There are no true spoilers in this review. Everything I mention is in the synopsis. If you do not want to read even that skip the review and go read the book. It is beautiful.
This book was gorgeously written. I loved the three boys at the center of it. Like truly loved them. Because I knew what was coming for them as the author showed me their lives pre-war I wanted to reach into the story and wrap them in my arms. I love their charming parents and the cast of characters that surrounded them.
And then the war. And my heart just kept breaking over and over for these beautiful boys and their family.
The growing up gay subplot is not quite as present as the sypnosis makes it sound but it is still powerful and profound.
The author did an incredibly difficult thing here, which is to write a story about a war, a war that is still happening, and make it not only heart wrenching but also heart warming.
I received and advanced reader copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
This book was gorgeously written. I loved the three boys at the center of it. Like truly loved them. Because I knew what was coming for them as the author showed me their lives pre-war I wanted to reach into the story and wrap them in my arms. I love their charming parents and the cast of characters that surrounded them.
And then the war. And my heart just kept breaking over and over for these beautiful boys and their family.
The growing up gay subplot is not quite as present as the sypnosis makes it sound but it is still powerful and profound.
The author did an incredibly difficult thing here, which is to write a story about a war, a war that is still happening, and make it not only heart wrenching but also heart warming.
I received and advanced reader copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
August 14, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Harper for this ARC!
The Sunflower Boys is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there. Artem’s life in Ukraine begins with small and familiar joys like swimming in the river, sketching in his notebook, and helping on the sunflower farm. In one night everything changes when the war rips his family apart, leaving him and his little brother Yuri to figure out how to survive on their own.
What stood out most to me was how Sam Wachman captures both the devastation and the small glimmers of beauty in the middle of it all. The bond between Artem and Yuri is heartbreaking and fierce, and the way Artem wrestles with his identity and first love adds another layer of depth to the story. It is raw, emotional, and completely absorbing.
The Sunflower Boys is the kind of book that gets under your skin and stays there. Artem’s life in Ukraine begins with small and familiar joys like swimming in the river, sketching in his notebook, and helping on the sunflower farm. In one night everything changes when the war rips his family apart, leaving him and his little brother Yuri to figure out how to survive on their own.
What stood out most to me was how Sam Wachman captures both the devastation and the small glimmers of beauty in the middle of it all. The bond between Artem and Yuri is heartbreaking and fierce, and the way Artem wrestles with his identity and first love adds another layer of depth to the story. It is raw, emotional, and completely absorbing.
August 25, 2025
The Sunflower Boys centers around Artem, a twelve-year-old boy growing up in modern-day Ukraine. Artem lives with his mother and younger brother while his Tato (father) works in America to support the family. Artem is passionate about drawing, enjoys swimming with his brother, helps out on his grandfather’s farm, and is just beginning to question his feelings for his best friend when Russia begins their invasion. We follow the two brothers as they embark on a harrowing journey to reunite with their Tato.
This is a beautiful coming-of-age story, a realistic portrayal of what life in a war-torn country looks like, and an examination of the enduring effects of war on a child’s mental health. While the people in the story are fictional, these are real, tragic experiences for many across the world. This book burrowed its way into my heart and I was completely invested in the lives of these unforgettable characters whose love for one another radiates off the page. Wachman’s writing is tender, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving. An outstanding debut that I cannot recommend enough.
This is a beautiful coming-of-age story, a realistic portrayal of what life in a war-torn country looks like, and an examination of the enduring effects of war on a child’s mental health. While the people in the story are fictional, these are real, tragic experiences for many across the world. This book burrowed its way into my heart and I was completely invested in the lives of these unforgettable characters whose love for one another radiates off the page. Wachman’s writing is tender, heartbreaking, and incredibly moving. An outstanding debut that I cannot recommend enough.
July 9, 2025
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of The Sunflower Boys.
This heart achingly beautiful coming of age story follows 12-year old Artem as he is negotiating growing up and realizing he is gay when war breaks out in Ukraine. After his mother and grandfather are killed, Artem needs to take care of his young brother and find their father in the midst of the war.
I am reeling from this gorgeous book. I just placed an preorder for another copy of it because I know this is a book I will spend years loaning to friends and loved ones. Everyone needs to read The Sunflower Boys. I’m calling it - this will be one of the best books I read in 2025.
This heart achingly beautiful coming of age story follows 12-year old Artem as he is negotiating growing up and realizing he is gay when war breaks out in Ukraine. After his mother and grandfather are killed, Artem needs to take care of his young brother and find their father in the midst of the war.
I am reeling from this gorgeous book. I just placed an preorder for another copy of it because I know this is a book I will spend years loaning to friends and loved ones. Everyone needs to read The Sunflower Boys. I’m calling it - this will be one of the best books I read in 2025.
August 11, 2025
This is the story of brothers Artem (12) and Yuri (9), told through Artem's perspective in the time leading up to and the start of the Russian invasion into Ukraine in February 2022. This book is as brutal as you'd expect a story about two young boys fleeing a war but it's also beautiful - in the devotion of the two brothers, Artem's relationship with his best friend Viktor, the kindness of strangers, and the care and determination of Artem and Viktor's families. The writing is accessible but not simplistic. I would definitely recommend this book to adults, but also middle and high schoolers.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway.)
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway.)
August 29, 2025
This was one of the best books I have read this year in terms of writing quality, character development, and delicate handling of such challenging topics, namely that of war and of discovering identity. I almost had to put the book down because the descriptions starting in the war chapters were so emotional and visceral. but I pushed through the most challenging parts, and I'm glad I did because the way Wachman portrayed a teenager's perception of the war at once so tender and jarring. It felt like a breath of fresh air to read something with such strong craft. way to go, Wachman, for showing, not telling!
August 30, 2025
12-year-old Artem lives in Ukraine and spends his days helping on his grandfather’s sunflower farm, sketching in his notebook, swimming with his brother, Yuri, and secretly watching scary movies with his best friend, Viktor.
When war arrives, and his world is torn apart, Artem is forced to grow up in order to protect his little brother.
Sam Wachman captures both the beauty of the Ukrainian landscape and the devastation of war with such honesty and grace that it feels breathtaking and heartbreaking all at once. It’s a profound story of young queer love, loss, resilience, and the ache of growing up too soon.
I absolutely loved this book.
When war arrives, and his world is torn apart, Artem is forced to grow up in order to protect his little brother.
Sam Wachman captures both the beauty of the Ukrainian landscape and the devastation of war with such honesty and grace that it feels breathtaking and heartbreaking all at once. It’s a profound story of young queer love, loss, resilience, and the ache of growing up too soon.
I absolutely loved this book.
August 23, 2025
An incredibly touching, warm novel about friendship, brotherhood and love.
Wachman does a fantastic job making you feel as if you are in Ukraine, he handles mixing Ukrainian and English well and you grow very attached to Artem, Yuri and Viktor. The pacing is fantastic, oftentimes the plot is heartbreaking, but everything feels earned and rooted in actual people.
This made me feel and think differently about Ukraine.
Wachman does a fantastic job making you feel as if you are in Ukraine, he handles mixing Ukrainian and English well and you grow very attached to Artem, Yuri and Viktor. The pacing is fantastic, oftentimes the plot is heartbreaking, but everything feels earned and rooted in actual people.
This made me feel and think differently about Ukraine.
August 20, 2025
Fantastic debut. This is a very timely and heartbreaking novel following the events of Russia's invasion and attacks on Ukraine. We follow a 12-year-old as he is forced into the harsh and extreme reality of war as he cares for his younger brother. Very well-written and will leave your heart in shambles. :(
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