Read & Discuss
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The Family Romanov:
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Summary
The following is an official summary of The Family Romanov, which can be found on Candace Fleming's website.
"Here is the riveting story of the Russian Revolution as it unfolded. When Russia’s last tsar, Nicholas II, inherited the throne in 1894, he was unprepared to do so. With their four daughters (including Anastasia) and only son, a hemophiliac, Nicholas and his reclusive wife, Alexandra, buried their heads in the sand, living a life of opulence as World War I raged outside their door and political unrest grew.
Deftly maneuvering between the lives of the Romanovs and the plight of Russia’s peasants—and their eventual uprising—Fleming offers up a fascinating portrait, complete with inserts featuring period photographs and compelling primary-source material that brings it all to life. History doesn’t get more interesting than the story of the Romanovs." |
Fleming begins The Family Romanov by setting the stage for readers by including Nicholas & Alexandra's family tree, a Russian map, and a description of the state of Russia. The author paints readers a vivid portrait of the lavish lifestyle of the upper class. However, she makes it clear that at this time "four out of every five Russians were peasants," and the wealthy were clueless to the reality of the situation (Fleming, 5). This leads us into the "dismal" state of Russia at this point in history... a major factor in the events that would follow (Fleming, 6).
The rest of this narrative nonfiction book is then divided into four parts.
Fleming's thorough research is highlighted through her extensive use of primary sources, including photographs, letters, and memoirs/autobiographies. Within the bibliography, Fleming states that:
- Part 1: Before the Storm
- Part 2: Dark Clouds Gathering
- Part 3: The Storm Breaks
- Part 4: Final Days
Fleming's thorough research is highlighted through her extensive use of primary sources, including photographs, letters, and memoirs/autobiographies. Within the bibliography, Fleming states that:
"the heart of all research is the firsthand accounts and eyewitness testimonies of those who lived through an historical event" (257).
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Along with photographs, readers can find other visual elements throughout the text, such as the family tree and map previously mentioned. Fleming also provides detailed reader tools at the end of the book which include:
- Acknowledgments (255)
- Bibliography (256)
- The Romanovs Online (266)
- Notes (267)
- Index (288)
Awards & Professional Reviews
Candace Fleming's The Family Romanov has garnered much critical acclaim since its publication two years ago. For example, this book has won the following awards and/or honors.
Professional reviews have also praised Fleming's compelling story of the Romanov family. The following statement about The Family Romanov was found within a Kirkus Review.
- Robert F. Sibert Nonfiction Honor Book
- YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist
- Junior Library Guild selection
- Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book 2014
- Publishers Weekly Best Young Adult Books 2014
- School Library Journal Best Book 2014
- For a more complete list of awards, click here.
Professional reviews have also praised Fleming's compelling story of the Romanov family. The following statement about The Family Romanov was found within a Kirkus Review.
"Award-winning author Fleming crafts an exciting narrative from this complicated history and its intriguing personalities. It is full of rich details about the Romanovs, insights into figures such as Vladimir Lenin and firsthand accounts from ordinary Russians affected by the tumultuous events."
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My Thoughts
Personally, I have always been fascinated with the story of the Romanov family and the fall of the Romanov dynasty. So, when I saw this book on the Read & Discuss list, I jumped at the opportunity to read it! One might ask, what started this fascination? This fascination is largely credited to Fox 20th Century's 1997 animated film Anastasia starring Meg Ryan and John Cusack. It was one of my favorite animated films as child. At one point, I even had Anastasia Barbie dolls.
Of course I realize the blatant historical inaccuracies of the film. For example, Anastasia neither escaped nor survived. However, it sparked my interest in this troubling time in Russian history. This interest has since led me to read many historical fiction books on this era, including:
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Now begs the question...
Did I like The Family Romanov?
As anticipated, I really enjoyed reading The Family Romanov. By giving readers a comprehensive narrative, Fleming truly paints readers an intricate portrait of the Romanov family. Throughout the text, Fleming sets the stage for the tragic fate of Nicholas, Alexandra, and their children. Along with propelling the story forward, these warning signs add to the tension and drama, making for an interesting story that fans of historical fiction may especially enjoy. I would recommend The Family Romanov to those who are fascinated by Russian history and to those who like historical fiction.
I also appreciated how Fleming weaved different accounts of Russian life into the narrative, which primarily focuses on the Romanov family. These accounts give readers context about life outside of wealth, privilege, and royalty... a key factor in the fall of the Romanov dynasty.
For example, within chapter one, Fleming incorporates an excerpt from an autobiography. Senka Kanatchikov shares his experiences as growing up in a village near Moscow. As a young peasant boy, Senka faced many hardships.
Did I like The Family Romanov?
As anticipated, I really enjoyed reading The Family Romanov. By giving readers a comprehensive narrative, Fleming truly paints readers an intricate portrait of the Romanov family. Throughout the text, Fleming sets the stage for the tragic fate of Nicholas, Alexandra, and their children. Along with propelling the story forward, these warning signs add to the tension and drama, making for an interesting story that fans of historical fiction may especially enjoy. I would recommend The Family Romanov to those who are fascinated by Russian history and to those who like historical fiction.
I also appreciated how Fleming weaved different accounts of Russian life into the narrative, which primarily focuses on the Romanov family. These accounts give readers context about life outside of wealth, privilege, and royalty... a key factor in the fall of the Romanov dynasty.
For example, within chapter one, Fleming incorporates an excerpt from an autobiography. Senka Kanatchikov shares his experiences as growing up in a village near Moscow. As a young peasant boy, Senka faced many hardships.
"My early childhood was not accompanied by any particularly outstanding events, unless one counts the fact that I survived; I wasn't devoured by a pig, I wasn't butted by a cow, I didn't drown in a pool, and I didn't die of some infectious disease the way thousands of peasant children perished in those days..." (23).
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Primary Source
- Kanatchikov, Semen Ivanovich. A Radical Worker in Tsarist Russia: The Autobiography of Semen Ivanovich Kanatchikov. Edited and translated by Reginald E. Zelnik. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 1986.
The Family Romanov in the Classroom
How might educators use this book in class? Intended for readers ages 12 and up, The Family Romanov could be used as supplemental reading material in history classes that focus on the following subjects:
There are many resources for educators to use when incorporating The Family Romanov into the classroom. Random House provides a Teacher's Guide featuring curriculum and common core connections, discussion questions, pre-reading activity, and additional online resources.
On the author's website, Fleming provides a link to a valuable resource for educators. In a review on The Classroom Bookshelf, Mary Ann Cappiello provides an in-depth book review on The Family Romanov along teaching ideas and additional resources. Also on her website, Fleming provides a link to a podcast interview where she discusses the research process when writing nonfiction books for youth.
- Russian History
- Imperial Russia
- Romanov Dynasty
- Tsar Nicholas II
- Soviet Union
There are many resources for educators to use when incorporating The Family Romanov into the classroom. Random House provides a Teacher's Guide featuring curriculum and common core connections, discussion questions, pre-reading activity, and additional online resources.
On the author's website, Fleming provides a link to a valuable resource for educators. In a review on The Classroom Bookshelf, Mary Ann Cappiello provides an in-depth book review on The Family Romanov along teaching ideas and additional resources. Also on her website, Fleming provides a link to a podcast interview where she discusses the research process when writing nonfiction books for youth.
Additional Resources & Read-A-Likes
Over the years, there have been many nonfiction books published on the Romanov family. Those who enjoyed reading The Family Romanov and are looking to learn about this subject may consider the following books on the Romanov daughters. Told through photographs, Anastasia's Album is a children's book that specifically focuses on the youngest Romanov daughter. On the other hand, The Romanov Sisters is more suited for teens or young adults since it is considered an adult nonfiction book.
Anastasia's Album: The Last Tsar's Youngest Daughter Tells Her Own Story
By Hugh Brewster |
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
By Helen Rappaport |
Also, readers who particularly enjoyed the author's writing may consider reading more of her books. Other nonfiction books for youth written by Candace Fleming, include:
Works Cited
- "The Family Romanov." Kirkus Reviews 82.11 (2014): 125. Web.
- Fleming, Candace. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia. New York: Schwartz & Wade, 2014. Print.