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This book showcases what it was like in Leningrad in 1942. The city had been surrounded by German forces and cut off from its food supply for an extended time. With the Russian army constantly battling the German army outside the city border and air raids attacking inside, the city was turning into rubble and people inside were dying of starvation, aside from the attacks.

This book is about a 12 year old boy, Boris, who wanted to stay in Leningrad and take care of his mom rather than be sent away to Siberia, where children could be safer.

Through Boris's experience (adventure with his friend to find food at a farm outside the city), he has a change of heart, learning that not all Germans are bad. He learns to be brave among his countrymen who were also filled with hatred toward the Germans.

Content considerations:
Swearing, tragedies of war, starvation.
It may not be acceptable in today's world for a 12-year old boy to carry a gun around with him wherever he goes.

This book was translated into English. The punctuation and word choice were sometimes awkward.

This book includes illustrations. While they are monochrome, I thought that they were helpful to portray the experience. (15 total in 20 chapters, so less than one illustration per chapter on average).

Favorite quote (when asked for directions and not actually knowing the way) - page 38
"'You must go along that street over there,' she said. 'Go left after two blocks and then ask someone else.'"