The Persecutor by Sergei Kourdakov

 Sergei shares his life story-as an orphan, a succesful leader of the Communist Youth League, a naval officer, and a leader in raids to stop the Believers. A captivating story that reveals how deceived the Russians were/are about non-Communist ways of life and how strong the believers were/are despite brutal opposition. Sergei's escape off of a naval trawler into Canada (freedom!!) is incredible!

Sadly, Sergei died at the age of twenty-one. Initially his death was ruled suicide. A few months later an inquest was held. They then ruled his death accidental. I thought his death was a bit odd so I googled him. In 2013 Christianity Today published an online article about his life, stating a lot of his story was fabricated. I revisited the article but could not read it because it was open only to paying members (I guess my first reading was my "one free article".).  Another website, Muckrock, exposes the contradictory testimonies about his death and other interactions he had with the FBI and CIA. 

Despite these confusing conclusions/opinions, I am in awe of the Christians in Russia during this period as they continued to meet and worship the Lord. Also, Sergei was amazed (& confused)  how the numbers of the Believers increased even though they were beating them and how many of them were young people.

Warning: excess drinking, graphic violence, some sexual violence-stripping off female Christians' clothing and touching them

-Borrowed from my church library.

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble

 Carly's life has been in upheavel since her police officer husband's death. Trying to raise her infant son and manage her demanding younger (but adult) sisters requires all of her time. Then she uncovers what seems to be a Faberge egg and family secrets.  Suddenly she and her family are in constant danger. Thankfully her next door neighbor is a homicide detective and more than willing to protect beautiful Carly. I loved how it took me on my own rabbit trail looking up Faberge eggs! 

A very fast paced novel  A bit "Hallmarkish"

A very wholesome romantic suspense novel (fine to share with teens)  I had never read any novels by this author (she has written a lot!). If I am in the mood for an easy read that focuses on suspense and a bit of romance, I will read one of her books!

 God and prayer are mentioned but are not major components to the characters' lives. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Three Questions written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth

 Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy

Nikolai, a boy eager to act correctly in all situations, seeks the answers to three questions-1. When is the best time to do things? 2. Who is the most important? 3. What is the right thing to do? 

When his friends' answers seem a bit absurd, he seeks counsel from the wise turtle Leo.  Through a series of events, Nikolai learns the answers to these three important questions. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Alias Anna by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson interior and map art by Balbusso Twins*

 A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis

After Mr. Dawson's daughter Aimee wrote her grandmother a letter requesting her to tell her about life when she was thirteen for a school project, for the first time Mr. Dawson learned about his Jewish mother's extraordinary escape from the Nazi rule in Ukraine. Musically brillant, Zhanna and her sister Frina, assume alias names and play out the war years as pianist entertainers for Nazi miliary leaders and soldiers. The girls' grit is astounding. God is not mentioned (in the afterword it is mentioned the family was secular) but their miraculous survival only points to Him. While I read this novel, I listened to Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu, sheet music Zhanna kept with her during the years of "hiding" in plain sight.

 Told in verse interspersed with direct quotes from Zhanna. A lot of background information is available in the back, including lists of pieces the girls played, identification of poetry utilized, and field trip ideas.

*Highly recommend for junior high and older.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Peddler's Gift by Maxine Rose Schur illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root*

 Leibush loves when Shnook the peddler arrives in Korovenko. Unfortunately, the boys laugh at him more than with him. When Leibush spies a dreidel that Shnook was selling accidently left in their kitchen, he decides to "borrow" it. Overcome with guilt, he finds Shnook to return and learns some life lessons.

The illustrations allow the reader to peek into Jewish Russian history and culture.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Nora's Chicks by Patricia MacLachlan illustrated by Kathryn Brown*

 Recently on Read Aloud Revival's summer schedule reveal, I won this book! I was so excited to win this sweet story. RAR's summer focus is on the author Patricia MacLachlan.

Nora misses Russia. The flat, treeless American plain does not compare to hilly, arboreal Russia. It is lonely. Nora longs for a friend. Even a stray dog she finds favors her toddler brother, Milo. Then her father brings home chicks to raise for meat. Nora insists on naming each one and claiming them for her own.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco

Throughout the winter Babushka decorates beautiful eggs for the annual Easter Festival. One winter she rescues an injured goose. The goose and Bubushka live congenially together until one day the goose accidentally breaks Babushka's painted eggs. After this devastating incident, the goose offers Babushka an apology gift, which Babuska titles "a miracle". A beautiful ending.

Pair with The Egg Tree, Chicken Sunday and The Easter Egg.

-Borrowed from the library.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker*

 Ms. Brett's borders add depth to the story (of course!). I liked how by the end the animal musicians were part of the main illustrations, no longer in the border.

Marie loves the Nutcracker her uncle gives her on Christmas. When she wakes up to check on him, she is transported to a magical land for an adventure.

Setting is in Russia, which adds a layer of uniqueness and beauty. Readers will expand their vocabulary too. I had to look up musical terms and Russian/Italian related words.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

 Ivan Denisovich, called Shukhov ( a family last name-one in government files) by the narrator throughout the book, is serving time in one of Stalin's work camp.  From the first reveille until the second recount at night, readers experience a typical day in a work camp as they read/observe Ivan Denisovich's routine.  

As I read, I had to retell myself numerous times that actual people endure this brutality.  I wanted to push out of my mind that people had suffered this way.  

Necessary reading for high school age or college age when studying communism and Stalin.

Labeled "young adult".

Warnings: work camp brutality, swearing (f word a few times)

Dancing Under the Red Star by Karl Tobien*

 Mr. Tobien relates his mother's incredible story when she lived in Stalinist Russia.  Margaret Werner and her parents leave the United States of America in 1932 for Russia so her father can oversee a new Ford manufactoring facility in Gorky.  With the Great Depression affecting all families in the U.S., Carl Werner (Margaret's father) truly thought he was giving his family a better life.  Later Carl Werner is arrested under false charges, leaving Margaret and her mother to fend for themselves in a foreign country.   Margaret's willingness to voice her opinions against Stalin and the Socialist agenda eventually cause her arrest and the years of torture and hard labor.

Margaret's story will challenge all readers and also will give them a glimpse of what a fear-inducing government does to a people group. Although Margaret was not a Christian during her years of imprisonment, she continually cried out to God.  Many supernatural events occurred and point to God.  Margaret's mother, Elizabeth, was a Christian who prayed continually. 

*Highly recommend.

Warnings: graphic details of the torture/hardships in the labor camps, mention of rape (no explicit details), prostitution (no explicit details), a woman in the labor camp has an abortion; it is described, adultery (no explicit details-Margaret's husband is unfaithful), physical abuse (no details), divorce

-Borrowed from the library.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles*

My husband's relative recommended this book to me.  I am so glad she did!  

After the Russian Revolution,  in 1922 Bolshevik leaders sentence Count Alexander Rostov to spend the rest of his life in the Metropol hotel.  The Count has known a life of leisure and independence.  Now he must find purpose and place in the confines of the hotel.  As he contemplates his circumstances, Alexander begins to find hope and relationships within his "prison".  

The excellent prose, the witty humor and the well-developed characters have made this book one of my all time favorites!  

The pace is slow in the beginning, but during the last quarter the plot intensifies.  

Mr. Towles is a magnificent author .  The amount of research involved to create this book plus the thought behind the plot and characters is impressive.  

**Highly, highly recommend.

Warning: Mr. Rostov has a relationship with an actress, Anna.  Details are not provided, but the reader knows without a doubt that they are intimate.  I am so thankful Mr. Towles did not describe those scenes.  

-I own this book.

My friend could not get into this book and stopped reading it.  Readers looking for an intense plot throughout its entirety should look elsewhere.  

Russia text set

To support our study of Russia, we utilized the following books (for photographs or information)-
All books were borrowed from the library.

1. A Wicked History-Ivan the Terrible by Sean Price
I read this book over a few days to my sons.  It is labeled as "Young Adult".  Although the sentence structure and word choice are suitable for elementary age, the content may be shocking and offensive to sensitive readers.


2. Peter the Great by Diane Stanley
A longer picture book suitable for late elementary age.


3.  Country Profiles- Russia
Great photographs  The facts displayed in graph-form were eye-appealing, interesting and easy to read.


4. Social Studies Explorer Russia by Katie Marsico
Great photographs; activities to try-(We made and drank a tea recipe.)


5. Foods of Russia by Barbara  Sheen
Lots of recipes and photographs
We especially liked reading about "taking tea with a bit".



6. Welcome to Russia by Elma Schemenauer
Simpler text with lots of photographs

Mac B. Kid Spy- Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett illustrated by Mike Lowery

Mac Barnett, the author, shares with readers that when he was a kid, he was a spy and the following account is true!

The Queen of England calls Mac to recover her missing spoon, promising to write an excuse note for school.  He flies to England where the Queen of England briefs him on the case and then promptly sends him off to France.  

Humor and adventure make this book a fun read.  The short chapters and numerous illustrations will appeal to reluctant readers.  

I liked how Mr. Barnett mixed in interesting history tidbits throughout the story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Vasilisa the Beautiful A Russian Folktale illustrated by Anna Morgunova

The reader learns a lot about the Russian culture through this folktale.

A Russian Cinderella

-Borrowed from the library.

The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff illustrated by Michael Dooling*

Grisha's parents died of the epidemic so he lives with Rachel and her family.  The only item he has from his parents is the coat his mother made him the last winter of her life.  The cossacks soon come to Rachel's village, threatening to kill anyone who is Jewish.  The family makes plans to escape to America but worry they will be turned away at Ellis Island.  To make a good impression, they urge Grisha to discard his ragged coat but he refuses.
Will they all pass the inspections or be separated forever?
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Catch You Later, Traitor by Avi

Pete, a seventh grader at the beginning of this story, loves detective stories and radio broadcasts.  He never imagines that he would put his knowledge to use but when his father is accused of being a "Commie", Pete launches a full investigation into his family tree.
Avi does a superb job revealing what life was like living during "The Red Scare" in the 1950s.  The story is very exciting, well written and thoroughly researched.
*Borrowed from a teacher.
Points to discuss/warning: Pete's dad joined the Communist party as a teenage and attended only one meeting.  Later in the book he declares himself a "socialist" which he claims is different than being a Communist.  Pete's uncle Chris is a Communist and declares that his sole goal for "the Party" is to convince Americans to join the Communist Party.  At points in the story family members are cruel to each other (the extended family).  Background on the Red Scare, Communism and Socialism may be necessary to discuss to fully appreciate the story.

Anna and Solomon by Elaine Snyder illustrated by Harry Bliss*

A sweet true story of immigration.
Solomon comes to the U.S.A to earn money to bring over his bride.  When he goes to pick her up at the dock, he is in for a huge surprise-a couple of times!
A great picture book to include during an immigration unit.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring- character traits and feelings

Starring Mirette and Bellini by Emily Arnold McCully*

In this sequel to Mirette on High Wire, Mirette and Bellini travel to many cities to perform on the wire.  In Russia, Mirette's skills are put to test when she has to rescue Bellini from prison.
*Highly recommend.
Even though the main character is a female, my boys love these books.  We own all three.
Check out the third book, Mirette and Bellini Cross Niagara Falls.

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart The Deadly Race to Space #9 by Elizabeth Singer Hunt*

My second grader loves reading these books.
His favorite part in this book was how the villain was unexpected person.
*Highly recommend.