(3) 4-6 During the Soviet/Nazi conflict to control Kiev, Luka was sent to work at a labor camp. As this companion to Making Bombs for Hitler begins, he escapes and later joins the Ukrainian underground resistance. Based on actual World War II events, Skrypuch weaves a tale of suspense, highlighting Luka's courage and ingenuity as he searches for his parents and is eventually reunited with friend Lida.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Nine-year-old Ukrainian girl Lida survives a Nazi labor camp by claiming she is older and proving herself "useful" to her captors. Forced to make bombs, Lida plans to sabotage them. The narrative illuminates Ukrainian history based on true stories of survivors persecuted by both Hitler and Stalin. Lida and her fellow child prisoners are sympathetic characters demonstrating solidarity in a wartime internment setting.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) YA This ambitious, sometimes unwieldy, work encompasses the life of composer Shostakovich, the early political history of the U.S.S.R., and the nation's suffering during WWII. Initially inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution, Shostakovich's music changed during Stalin's Reign of Terror. The centerpiece is his Leningrad Symphony, which offered both catharsis and hope. Extensive black-and-white photographs help define the wide range of subjects and settings. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(4) 4-6 What Were They Fighting For? series. A useful text provides a broad overview of World War II and adequate examination of what motivated Allied and Axis forces to join the war. Captioned black-and-white photos and occasional sidebars complement the serviceable narrative. Upper-elementary and middle school students will find the book useful for reports. Reading list, timelime. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(1) 4-6 Ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik loves Stalin and the Communist party. He's especially proud of his father, a member of the secret police. Sasha's worldview shifts after his father is arrested. Although the story takes place over just two days, it is well paced, peeling off the layers of Sasha's naiveté. Appropriately menacing illustrations add a sinister tone.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(4) YA Translated by Andrew Bromfield. Lugovskaya's diaries include typical teenage musings plus observations about politics and society. The books, recently found in the KGB archive, were confiscated in 1937 by Stalin's secret police, who underlined "incriminating" passages (indicated by boldface type). Commentary in italics follows many of the entries, which, though occasionally elucidating, is distracting. The numerous friends and relatives referenced throughout also make events difficult to follow. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(3) YA World Leaders series. These competently written biographies give detailed overviews of the lives of Guevara and Stalin from their youths through adulthoods. The volumes focus mainly on the influences the men had over world events and their legacies. The well-captioned photographs, maps, and other visual aids (for example, "one of Che's fake passports" and Soviet propaganda posters) add interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these World Leaders titles: Che Guevara and Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union series. Illustrated by Melanie Reim. In Communism, Gottfried calls Communism "a dream that failed..." and traces the complex history of the Russian Empire, the fall of the Tsarist regime, and the beginning of Communist rule with fairness and a clear eye for detail. Stalinist paints a vivid picture of Stalin's political pathology and his hunger for power. Archival photos, a map, and text boxes extend the well-written narrative. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union titles: The Road to Communism and The Stalinist Empire.]

Reviewer: Jack Forman