In charming and poignant vignettes, Nina Kossman tells of her childhood in 1960s Moscow. Nina wants to become a heroine by awakening Grandfather Lenin during a class trip to his tomb, or by painting Red Square really red. But she also finds herself fascinated with life in the forbidden world "behind the border". B&W photos.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-With poignant innocence, Kossman writes of her childhood experiences in Russia in the '60s. Each chapter relates a memory tinged with the effects of the totalitarian regime that influenced every aspect of her and her family's lives. The opening vignette reveals the unexpected restrictions of the border when a beach ball floats out to sea and young Nina is told that she would never be allowed into Turkey to retrieve it. In the subsequent chapters, the author describes situations through the eyes of a 7-to-10 year old in which adults reveal either fear of authority or of autocratic bullying. Her parents try to protect her, but her experiences at school eventually result in surprisingly mature conclusions as she comes to realize, fear, and resent the strictures under which she lives. The book concludes with this Jewish family's hopes to emigrate to America. The simple, childlike style intensifies the impact of Kossman's words, and is reminiscent of the fictional Friedrich (Puffin, 1987) by Hans Peter Richter. The reading level and format are appropriate for elementary-grade students, but some of the content may elude them. However, this unique book will serve to promote discussions of freedom. The commonality of typical childhood activities-going to the beach, friendships, and school assignments-make the child very real. The endnotes further reveal the restrictions imposed on Soviet citizens.
Carrol McCarthy, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Carrol McCarthy, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 5-7. Twelve vignettes focus on Kossman's early years in Russia before her family went "behind the border" and immigrated to the U.S. A few of the sketches, such as her first encounter with chewing gum, are amusing. Most, however, are chilling. It's difficult to decide who the audience for this book will be: the anecdotes are about a young child and the format seems juvenile, but the situations and their implications demand a more sophisticated reader. Kossman's vivid picture of life behind the Iron Curtain and her notes at the end of the book will be useful discussion starters for classes studying political changes in Eastern Europe, but the book may need to be book talked or read aloud by teachers to start it moving off the shelf. Chris Sherman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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