Breaking Stalin's Nose
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Yelchin, Eugene. 2011. Breaking Stalin's Nose. New York: Henry Hold and Company. 1250034108
Plot Summary:
How many days can it take to change your view on everything you hold dear in this world?
Two days. It takes Sasha Zaichik two days.
Breaking Stalin's Nose follows 10-year-old Sasha Zaichik, during the two days that change his world forever. A loyal communist and son of a revered Communist hero, all Sasha wants is to be a part of the Young Pioneers. He is loyal to the communist party, Comrade Stalin, and communism. So when his father is taken away in the middle of the night by men in state security uniforms, Sasha believes it must be some kind of mistake. Now alone on the street, he still goes to school the next day eager to participate in the Young Pioneers assembly. However, when a series of events occur at school, including the nose being broken off a Stalin statue, his classmates are forced to turn on one another accusing each other of suspicious behavior. Teachers and students alike accuse and name people out of fear and retaliation. Government officials and school administration believe what they want to believe. Sasha begins to question everything he has ever known or been told and soon realizes he does not want to be a Young Pioneer anymore.
Two days. It takes Sasha Zaichik two days.
Breaking Stalin's Nose follows 10-year-old Sasha Zaichik, during the two days that change his world forever. A loyal communist and son of a revered Communist hero, all Sasha wants is to be a part of the Young Pioneers. He is loyal to the communist party, Comrade Stalin, and communism. So when his father is taken away in the middle of the night by men in state security uniforms, Sasha believes it must be some kind of mistake. Now alone on the street, he still goes to school the next day eager to participate in the Young Pioneers assembly. However, when a series of events occur at school, including the nose being broken off a Stalin statue, his classmates are forced to turn on one another accusing each other of suspicious behavior. Teachers and students alike accuse and name people out of fear and retaliation. Government officials and school administration believe what they want to believe. Sasha begins to question everything he has ever known or been told and soon realizes he does not want to be a Young Pioneer anymore.
Analysis:
Yelchin's story of a young boy living in Russia during the height of Stalin's reign is a gripping read from page one. Sasha's character is developed at every turn giving the reader important insight and understanding into the young boy's world and beliefs. The first-person narrative brings Sasha's journey to life through every emotional twist and turn, allowing the reader to feel his anxiety, fear, and disbelief every step of the way. The plot moves forward at a rapid pace, brilliantly weaving nuances of the time period through setting description, characterization, and dialogue. The authenticity captured not only in words, but through the illustrations as well. Each chapter reads effortlessly, as Yelchin simply and eloquently conveys the fear and true realities of living under Stalin's regime. The novel's emotional ending leaves the reader confident in Sasha's decision to refrain from joining the Young Pioneers and hopeful to know what comes next.Yelchin's black and white illustrations add depth and beauty to each page. The vivid facial expressions and detailed sketches offer the reader a view of both the beauty and harsh realities of living in communist Russia. The illustrations capture the emotion and truth of the time, directly aligning with the complexity of Sasha's feelings throughout the novel.
Yelchin brilliantly uses Sasha's story as a conduit to show the fear that Stalin's regime instigated within his people - a fear that lasted for generations. In the author's note he writes, "This book is my attempt to expose and confront that fear." Yelchin's personal and family background growing up in Russia served as his inspiration for this story. It's a book about power, fear, and the choices we make.
Yelchin's masterful storytelling and honest approach is balanced and well done. A necessary read for us all.
Awards & Reviews:
- Newbery Honor Winner 2012
- Junior Library Guild Selection 2012
- ALA Notable Children's Book 2012
- The Best Children's Books of 2011 by Horn Book Magazine
- The Best Children's Books of 2011 by Washington Post
- 2012 Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth by Booklist
- 2012 Michigan Library Association Mitten Award
From Publisher's Weekly: "Picture book author/illustrator Yelchin makes an impressive middle-grade debut with this compact novel about a devoted young Communist in Stalin-era Russia, illustrated with dramatically lit spot art."
From School Library Journal: "Yelchin skillfully combines narrative with dramatic black-and-white illustrations to tell the story of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin."
Connections:
More Books by Eugune Yelchin:
More Books by Eugune Yelchin:
- The Haunting of Falcon House. 1250115086
- Arcady's Goal. B019TMIH7C
- Avi. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. 0786816589
- Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. 0440413281
- Larson, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky. 0385735952
- Lowery, Lois. Number the Stars. 0547577095
- Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. 0547534264
- Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind. 0307977889
- Compare and contrast different types of governments including democracies, monarchies, and dictatorships.
- Explore the book's website: breakingstalinsnose.com to learn more about Sasha's story and the historical time period in which it takes place.
- Share an interview with author Eugene Yelchin. Brainstorm a list of questions to ask the author about the novel and/or his own experience growing up.
