Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yelchin, Eugene. (2011). Breaking Stalin’s Nose. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Company, LLC. ISBN 0805092161

Yelchin, Eugene. (2012). Breaking Stalin’s Nose. Read by Mark Turetsky. New York, NY: Recorded Books Productions, LLC. ISBN 978-1464045615

PLOT SUMMARY

The time has finally come for Sasha Zaichik to be a “reliable comrade” and recognized devotee to Comrade Stalin and Communism. The night before he is about to proudly join the Young Soviet Pioneers, his father is mysteriously arrested causing Sasha to reconsider his previous teachings and rethink his dedication to the Communist Party.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

      The audio book version is an unabridged, CD format (2 discs). The audio book is narrated by Mark Turetsky, an award-winning voice actor. Turetsky offers an expected, youthful tone for Sasha’s young, believing narrative. According to an author’s note at the end of the book’s narration, Eugene Yelchin has drawn on his own experiences in Russian to write this story in an effort to face the fears that he and so many Russians endured during, and even after, the reign of Comrade Stalin. The interesting audio version is clear and without static but does not include any sound effects or music.

      Clearly honored and excited to be joining the Young Soviet Pioneers, Sasha pens a letter to Comrade Stalin announcing his commitment and trust in “the father of Soviet children.” Sasha’s father, a Soviet secret police officer, promises to deliver the letter however, he is suddenly arrested. Left alone to figure out what has happened to his father, Sasha re-examines all that he has been taught about “enemies of the people,” the Soviet government, and what it really means to have a “Stalinist spirit” as purported by Communist citizens, including his teacher, Nina Petrovna.

      Having only listened to the audio CD, I think I missed out on seeing Yelchin’s black and white pencil illustrations that add drama and context to the narrative. I think it would be best to listen to the audio version while viewing the print copy.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

2012 Newbery Honor Award

2011 Horn Book Best Books

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review – "Yelchin skillfully combines narrative with dramatic black-and-white illustrations to tell the story of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin.”                                                                                                                                  
Starred review in HORN BOOK – “…this brief novel gets at the heart of a society that asks its citizens, even its children, to report on relatives and friends. Appropriately menacing illustrations by first-time novelist Yelchin add a sinister tone.”                                                                                                                                                      

CONNECTIONS

*Teachers can use this book as a supplemental source when studying World/Russian history, Joseph Stalin, and Communism.                                                                                                               
*Find curriculum activities for a literature unit on Breaking Stalin’s Nose here.                                                                                                                      
*Read more about the book and see a book trailer here.                                                                         
*Picture books illustrated by Eugene Yelchin:                                                                                       
Stampler, Ann Redisch. The Rooster Prince of Breslov. Ill. by Eugene Yelchin. ISBN 0618989749                                                                
Wardlaw, Lee. Won Ton, A Cat Tale Told in Haiku. Ill. by Eugene Yelchin. ISBN 0808995050

*Book recommended by Eugene Yelchin in Author’s Note in audio version:

Park, Linda Sue. When My Name Was Keoko. ISBN 0618133356