Breaking Stalin's Nose

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Yelchin, Eugene. 2011. Breaking Stalin’s Nose. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805092165

PLOT SUMMARY

Told from the perspective of ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik, Breaking Stalin’s Nose is the story of how one Soviet child begins to question everything he has ever known.  Sasha is about to join the Young Pioneers (Stalin’s youth organization) when his father, a secret police officer, is unexpectedly arrested.  The story chronicles Sasha’s reactions to the arrest when his life changes forever.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although the topic of Communism may be completely unknown to many children, they will be able to relate to Yelchin’s main character, Sasha.  This book is written from the perspective of ten-year-old Sasha and this gives the book a youthful point of view.  Children will relate to the choices that Sasha makes, the love he has for his father, and the turmoil that he is going through.  Additionally, children should be able to relate to Sasha’s feelings about the other characters, such as the scary school principal.

Yelchin presents an accurate historical plot, based on his own experiences as a child in the Soviet Union.  While not sugar-coated exactly, Yelchin does gloss over some of the more horrific aspects of Stalin’s reign.  For example, torture is alluded to but not explicitly explained when Yelchin writes: “Everybody confesses in Lubyanka. We know how to make people talk” (118).  Sufficient details are given so that the reader has an understanding of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin. 

Throughout the story, Yelchin adds details that describe the setting.  Sasha’s father’s coat smells of snow, which allows readers to picture a cold, snowy place.  Yelchin’s description of the communal apartment effectively demonstrates the squalid conditions that Sasha is living in.  I especially liked the small details that Yelchin added.  For example, Sasha’s neighbor gives him a treat--a carrot.  These snippets make the reader ponder what life would have really been like for Sasha.  Yelchin also is able to give readers a subtle understanding of the tenets of Communism.  For example, when describing the communal apartment building where Sasha lives, Yelchin writes: “We live here as one large, happy family: We are all equal; we have no secrets” (5).  Although younger readers may not be able to understand all of the nuances that Yelchin has included, older readers will appreciate them and it creates an engaging plot and setting for the story.

Yelchin seamlessly weaves the themes of honor, and loyalty throughout this story.  While young American readers may not be able to relate to the Communism that appears in the book, they will be able to relate to the importance in standing up for one’s beliefs.

The style of Breaking Stalin’s Nose is unique.  It is written in the first-person and readers will definitely feel like they are in Sasha’s head.  Russian words are included (proper nouns, mostly), but they are easily understood in the context of the story.  Also unique to this story are Yelchin’s illustrations, which are scattered throughout the book.  The black and white drawings are over-exaggerated.  The darkness of the drawings adds to the mood of the setting and the illustrations of the government officials are exaggerated to make them look scary.

Overall, this book would be a good introduction to life under Communism.  Breaking Stalin’s Nose is recommended for children in grades 4-7, but older children may appreciate some of the more intricate details.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers 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."

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.”

Kirkus: “Yelchin’s graphite illustrations are an effective complement to his prose, which unfurls in Sasha’s steady, first-person voice, and together they tell an important tale.”

CONNECTIONS

Children who enjoyed Breaking Stalin’s Nose might also enjoy these books that take place during World War II:

Susan Campbell Bartoletti. The Boy Who Dared. ISBN 0439680134

John Boyne. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. ISBN 0385751532