Sarah Ignatius to publish historical novel on the Armenian genocide

Former NAASR executive director Sarah Ignatius is releasing The Kaleidoscope of Destiny on Sept. 22, 2026 through Koehler Books. The novel centers on a 14-year-old boy caught in the Armenian genocide and will launch with events in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Why it matters: - Sarah Ignatius’s debut historical novel spotlights parts of the Armenian genocide that are still underrepresented in fiction and classroom reading lists. - The book connects a personal family history to a broader historical tragedy, giving the story added emotional weight and contemporary relevance. - Kirkus Reviews said the novel “humanizes the Armenian genocide for a contemporary audience.”

What happened: - Koehler Books will publish The Kaleidoscope of Destiny on Sept. 22, 2026. - Sarah Ignatius is the former executive director of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, known as NAASR, and is based in the Boston area. - The novel follows 14-year-old Arakel after Turkish officials arrest almost all of the Armenian men in his town in 1915, including his father and older brother, and order the remaining Armenians into exile. - Sarah Ignatius will mark publication with events in Belmont, Massachusetts, including an official launch with NAASR.

The details: - The story begins in Kharpert, the town where Ignatius’s grandfather was born. - Ignatius’s great-grandfather graduated in one of the earliest classes at Euphrates College in 1881. - Ignatius said writing the book “meant everything” to her, though the novel is not the story of any one relative. - Ignatius traveled to the region with NAASR in 2006. - Ignatius said that experience “opened the door to another world” and that family memory sustained her through years of revision and rejection. - Kirkus Reviews called the novel “a beautiful and poignant novel” and said it deserves a place on classroom bookshelves and reading lists next to Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. - Ottoman Empire historian Dr. Khatchig Mouradian said the book “refracts one of history’s darkest chapters into a deeply moving story of friendship, courage, and hope.” - The Belmont events listed in the announcement are Sept. 22 at NAASR with Dana Mashoian Walrath at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at Belmont Books with Donna Gordon at 7:00 p.m. - More information is available at Sarah Ignatius's website. - Koehler Books’ social media links in the announcement include LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The book’s personal origin story appears to be part of its appeal, blending family memory, place-based history, and fiction. - The endorsements frame the novel as both literary and educational, with an emphasis on bringing overlooked history to wider audiences. - The launch events in Belmont suggest the publication is aimed at both local readers and the Armenian studies community.

What's next: - Sarah Ignatius will begin public events around the book’s release on Sept. 22. - The novel’s reception will likely hinge on how it resonates with readers seeking fiction rooted in Armenian history and genocide education.