The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleming, Candice. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books, 2014.


2. PLOT SUMMARY

The book centers on Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, his family, and the revolt that lead to their demise in the beginning of the twentieth century. The family included Empress Alexandra, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Marie, and Anastasia, and the only son, Tsarevich Alexei. Candace Fleming expertly brings us into the world of the royal family and the turmoil of the Russian people during the tragic fall of Imperial Russia.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

If your only experience with the Romanov family is from the movie Anastasia, Fleming's accurate portrayal of the demise of the royal family will prove that the movie was merely fiction compared to what really happened to the young Empress. Fleming's intense research into the history of Russia expands from early life of Tsar Nicholas II in 1864 to the end of World War II. To simply say that the book is only about the family would be a lie. Fleming has an amazing talent in keeping the reader interested in the historical tale by changing the narrative every few pages. The Russian people have a strong voice in the book as Fleming highlights the stories of peasants, workers, guards, nobleman, diplomats, and holy men. The tales of hardship for the Russian people strongly contrast with the families stories of playing in the garden. As time progresses, the reader is able to understand how the pieces fell into place in the puzzle of the tragic deaths of the Romanov family. Fleming uses the diary entries of everyone in the book to give an accurate voice and to help paint a picture that spans across all view points. The front cover especially shows the differences between royals and peasants, as one is jewels and the other in dirty rags. The pictures in the middle of the book entices young readers to find the truth as well as aid in remembering that the book is not a work of fiction by showing real people. The pictures in the back of the book show what happens after the textual history was completed. The end leaves you immediately wanting to research what has happened from the books release in 2014 until now.


4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

2015 Golden Kite Winner for Nonfiction

Andrea Beach from Common Sense Media: "This is an engaging, often-riveting, detailed look into the lives of the last royal family of Russia as well as the social and political upheaval in the empire at the turn of the 20th century."

From Goodreads: "Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming deftly maneuvers between the imperial family’s extravagant lives and the plight of Russia's poor masses, making this an utterly mesmerizing read as well as a perfect resource for meeting Common Core standards."

Abby McGanney Nolan from The Washington Post: "Elements of an overheated dystopian thriller — political repression, malevolent figures, a protracted war, endangered children — but no prospect of a triumphal ending."


5. CONNECTIONS

Other Books by Candace Fleming:

Young adult books
The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary  ISBN: 9780375836183
On the Day I Died: Stories from the Grave    ISBN: 9780375867811

Middle Grade
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart   ISBN: 9780375945984
The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum   ISBN: 9780375841972
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School   ISBN: 9780440422297
The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School   ISBN: 9780375871870

Young Readers
Oh, No!   ISBN: 9780375842719
Clever Jack Takes the Cake   ISBN: 9780375849794
Imogene's Last Stand   ISBN: 9780385386548


Lesson Plans:
Discovery School, created by the Discovery Channel, has an in depth lesson plan about the Romanovs for high school students. It can be modified for younger grades, as well. Check it out here: The Russian Revolution: The Fate of the Romanovs

Joanne Aboud, Loredana Di Marco, Katie Loncar and Raymond Zeaiter are a group of third year BT/BA students at ACU Strathfield. They created an intricate lesson that includes worksheets, note templates, and a powerpoint. Find it here: The Rise and Decline of the Romanovs

The site, The Romanov Curse, offers a week long lesson plan. I am very jealous of her site layout. See it here: Cursed?