"Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914" by Carolyn Meyer

First off, readers should know that this book is historical fiction.  I have read a number of reviews complaining that this book doesn't include enough factual information.  That's because it doesn't have too.  If you want just facts, please proceed to the nonfiction section.  Or the internet (just be sure to check your sources).  Anyways...

I believe I was in second grade when the animated Anastasia  film was released.  I remember being slightly obsessed over the movie, going around singing Once Upon a December and coloring in my Anastasia coloring book.  To this day, the movie is pretty high on my list favorite animated films.  So it makes sense that I immediately picked up this book years and years ago at the local library.

Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914 by Carolyn Meyer is the (fictional) diary of Anastasia Romanov.  It follows her story from a young teenager until shortly before her execution in 1918.  Anastasia doesn't lead always live and grand and glamorous life.  She shares a bedroom with her sister (obviously their palace had enough space to give each of the Grand Duchesses their own room) and  rises early to a day filled with studies.  Of course she also attends lavish parties and never has to worry about where her next meal is coming from, but she doesn't come across as a spoiled rich girl either.  She is quite mischivious and a bit sneaky, seeking out her sisters diaries but making a point to keep hers hidden.  The journal includes real people from Anastasia's life (there is an appendix in the back of the book that lists the fictional characters, but most of them are very minor characters) as well as real events.

This book presents a piece of history in a child friendly fashion.  Anastasia is clearly confused about the events going on around her and that makes sense.  It is believable that her father wouldn't sit down and speak with his youngest daughter about the political struggles going on in Russia.  It also makes sense that a young reader wouldn't be interested in that yet so it isn't a huge focus in the book.  Again, this is a piece of fiction so it's alright that the book is not filled with every detail and date that led to the fall of the Tsar's rule.

This a great book for younger girls interested in the life of Anastasia (or for other princess, check out the rest of the The Royal Diaries series).  One thing to keep in mind: the book was published prior to the 2007 discovery of the final missing Romanov bodies, so some of the information is a bit outdated.  I would partner this book with a biography of the Romanov family or a book that revolves around Russia during this time period.  It would be an interesting way to enhance a young reader's knowledge as well as to help develop a love of history.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Breathing Underwater" and "Diva" by Alex Flinn

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn tells the story of Nick Andreas, a sixteen-year boy in trouble for hitting his girlfriend, Caitlin.  The novel opens on Alex’s court date where he is sentenced to an anger management class, weekly journal writing and he is no longer allowed to go near Caitlin.  Through his first person accounts of what’s currently happening around him and journal entries that tell the reader how he got to this point, we find out that Nick was abandoned by his mother and is a part of a cycle of violence as been abused by his father while growing up.  Nick’s journal entries are quite blunt and we find out just how controlling he is of Caitlin and how his anger escalates to the breaking point.  We also see how he gets on a path of recovery.  It was interesting to read a book that wasn’t from the victim’s point of view and to get inside Nick’s head.  The picked this book up because the description on the back caught my interest.  I’m very glad I did because it was a great book!

 

Diva wasn’t quite what I expected.  I anticipated a re-write of Breathing Underwater, only this book would be from Caitlin’s point of view.  Instead, the events in this book take place after Breathing Underwater.  The reader follows Caitlin on her journey auditioning for and attending the Miami High School of the Arts where she is studying to become an opera singer.  Like Nick, she keeps a record of what’s going on in her life, but instead of a notebook, she records her thoughts on her blog.  Each blog is started with her mood, the music she’s listening to, and her current weight.  Though this book is not solely about her weight problems, it is certainly a theme throughout.  Caitlin is a very real character.  She has a struggling relationship with her mother (and her mother’s relationship with a married man), has difficulty making new friends but is still working hard to achieve her dreams.  I feel that this is a book that teens can easily identify with and can read even if they haven’t read Breathing Underwater.

Happy Reading!

-Melly