Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin’s Nose

Author: Eugene Yelchin

Copyright 2011

Henry Holt and Company

Newberry Honor Award

Military - Suspenseful - Dumbfounding - Culturally Shocking - Sad 

Interest Level: Grades 4 – 7

Reading Level

Grade Level Equivalent: 4.2

Lexile: 670L

DRA: 40

Genre: Historical Fiction

Delivery: Independent or small group “book club.” 

Summary:

In the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union, ten year old Sasha idolizes his father, a devoted Communist, but when the police take his father away and leave Sasha homeless, he is forced to examine his own perceptions, values and beliefs.

Vocabulary:

1.    Comrade: a person who shares in one’s activities.

2.    Capitalist: a person who has money invested in business used to produce more money.

3.    Purging: the rid of the undesirable.

4.    Communal: used or shared in common by a group of everyone.

5.    Legion: a large military force.

6.    Interrogating: questioning.

ELA Teaching Suggestions

Comprehension

Before Reading:

-Explain to students the time period and the differences between Capitalism and Communism. (Make a chart.)

-Inform students who “Stalin” is and why he is such an important character.

During:

-Have students write down important instances where our main character, Sasha, goes through changes in his thought about Communism. (Character growth.)

Ex.

-Specific events that happen. (When Sasha is made fun of because his mother is American.)

-When Sasha writes a letter to Stalin. (His “written” thoughts.)

After Reading:

-Have students make a media of some sort that shows the character growth of Sasha.

Ex.  A infographic timeline, a written timeline, powerpoint, Prezi.

Writing Activity:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3.B
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

-Have students write a 2-3 paragraph letter from Sasha’s perspective to his father in prison.

-Encourage students to use specific details from the story as he recalls what took place after his father was arrested and what Sasha plans to do next. <- Students can make up their own plan for Sasha and predict what would have happened next.