Breaking Stalin's Nose

In "Breaking Stalin’s Nose," celebrated artist and author Eugene Yelchin draws from his own childhood in Soviet Russia to tell the story of 10-year-old Sasha Zaichik, who yearns to become a Young Pioneer in Stalin's Communist Party. However, when his father, a member of the State Security police, is arrested just before the ceremony, Sasha is forced to confront and reassess the ideals he’s been taught about Stalin and the notion of being a good comrade. This Newbery Honor Book offers a poignant exploration of loyalty, belief, and the harsh realities of life under a totalitarian regime.