Anastasia and her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer by Christina Williams https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4 Christina Williams' booktalk on the historical fiction novel Anastasia and her Sisters. en-us 2017-11-06 00:29:09 UTC 2017-11-06 04:00:03 UTC hello@padlet.com Summary christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203706007 The young adult novel Anastasia and her Sisters tells the story of the Romanov family and their journey through World War I as well as the Russian Revolution from the Princess Anastasia's perspective. The novel portrays the Romanov family life as idyllic. Anastasia and her sisters attend balls, live in lavish palaces, have jewels, feasts, and servants. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear to the reader that the royal life is not all it's cracked up to be. The Tsar has to answer to the Duma. There is constant talk about revolutionists. The Tsarina constantly feels ill and does not have the love of her country. Alexi, the Tsarevich, is a hemophiliac, and is constantly ill. His parents and sisters are constantly worried that he will not live to be the next Tsar. Rasputin, a purported holy man, helps heal Alexi. However, many people find him to be revolting and there are abundant rumors that he engages in crude behavior. Anastasia's sister, Olga, becomes upset about not being able to marry the man she loves because he is of a lower class. While the sisters are privileged, they also face many challenges. Anastasia constantly wonders why anyone would want to hurt her, her sisters, or her brother. In Anastasia's mind, they are children and have nothing to do with politics. 

In the end, Anastasia and her family are imprisoned. Anastasia never gives the reader a thorough explanation of the political climate of Russia. It is safe to assume that she did not really know what was going on. The Romanov family is shot to death, their bodies dismembered, thrown in acid, and buried in shallow graves. 

]]> 2017-11-06 00:38:11 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203706007 Target Audience christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203709546 According to the novel's publisher, Simon & Schuster, the target audience of Anastasia and her Sisters is for ages 12 and up. Please click on the link below to visit the official website.

Anastasia and her Sisters, in my opinion, is meant for younger teens. The author uses simple language and avoids describing in detail the torture the Romanov Family went through after the Tsar abdicated his throne. 

The novel is a good choice for a reader who is just learning about the Romanov family. The book will certainly pique their interest into learning more about the royal family. It's a good starter book.]]> 2017-11-06 01:11:59 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203709546 Themes christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203711974 *Family: Anastasia loves her family very much. Throughout the book she relies on her sisters for comfort and support, as well as information. She adores her father and loves her mother. Anastasia also worries over Alexi and his medical condition. Anastasia wrestles with herself how the Russian people can say such bad things about her parents when they are so good to her.
*Love: Olga falls in love with Pavel Voronov and the love is reciprocal. However, they can never marry since Pavel is of a lower class. Aunt Olga has an open affair with her significant other, yet cannot marry him because the Tsar will not divorce her from her husband (who is gay). Towards the end of the novel, Anastasia falls in love with Gleb, knowing their love can go nowhere.
*Coming of Age: Anastasia grows from an innocent, naive child to a woman under house arrest. Anastasia is the youngest of the sisters and information is constantly kept from her. Her only true source of information is Olga's secret diary.
*Religion: Anastasia describes her family's religious traditions, in the form of Easter Mass and Christmas Trees. Anastasia's mother almost did not want to marry her father because she was unsure she wanted to switch religions. Rasputin is supposedly a holy man that can heal Alexi.
*War: WWI breaks out during the Romanov family rule. The Tsarina, Olga, and Tatiana become nurses while Anastasia and Marie read to recovering soldiers. The novel touches on fathers, son, and husbands dying. ]]> 2017-11-06 01:30:01 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203711974 Awards christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203714979 Anastasia and her Sisters has won two awards:

* Kansas State Reading Circle List Junior Title

*MSTA Reading Circle List

]]> 2017-11-06 01:53:42 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203714979 Author Spotlight christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203719025 Carolyn Meyer was born in Lewiston, Pennsylvania on June 8, 1935. She and her husband have three sons together. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 2015. She writes historical fiction for children and young adults. Her most popular series is the Royal Diaries. This series focuses on royal princesses and their lives. She has written over 60 historical fiction novels, mainly for young adults.]]> 2017-11-06 02:28:47 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203719025 Program Ideas christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203721102 A public library could use the novel Anastasia and her Sisters in several ways:

*Book Club: This novel could be used in a tween book club, as the writing is more suited to a younger age. The librarian running the program can teach the tweens the history of the Tsar and his family's downfall. 
*Dress-Up: Much of this book is focused on the girls' dresses and jewelry. Tweens would be invited to an event, based on this novel, where they learn about the fashion of this era. Tweens could make their own tiaras or necklaces using costume jewelry or a cheap kit from a vendor like Oriental Trading.
*Movie Showing: Tweens and teens would be invited to watch the 1997 animated film Anastasia (rated G, 1 hr. 34 min. run time). Popcorn would be served along with mocktails to make the tweens/teens feel royal. Afterwards, tweens and teens could learn about what truly happened to Anastasia and why legends surround her death. Please see the link below to find out more about the movie. ]]> 2017-11-06 02:48:34 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203721102 Carolyn Meyer Interview christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203723092 Carolyn Meyer discusses Anastasia and her Sisters on Morning Brew in 2015. ]]> 2017-11-06 03:04:15 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203723092 Reviews of Anastasia and her Sisters. christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203723734 *On goodreads, the novel has 4 and a half out of 5 stars. Many of the reviews are positive. However, many users on the site point out that the novel reads more like a children's novel than a young adult novel.

*On Amazon, the novel received 4 and a half out of 5 stars. However, there are only five reviews. Each of these reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

*The Kirkus Review tells reader that the novel is a deeply detailed introduction  to the Romanov family and their end. 

*Watch the video below for a teen's opinion on the novel:]]> 2017-11-06 03:08:46 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203723734 What does this book offer? christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203725419 Anastasia and her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer is a historical fiction novel that allows its readers to become attached to Anastasia and her family. Readers will want to research the family and see what lead to their demise. ]]> 2017-11-06 03:23:30 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203725419 Related Reading christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203725959 Consider the following novels if you like Anastasia and her Sisters:

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

*A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury.

*The Resurrection of the Romanovs: Anastasia, Anna Anderson, and the World's Greatest Royal Mystery by Greg King and Penny Wilson

*Skandal by Lindsay Smith

*Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman]]> 2017-11-06 03:27:43 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203725959 Discussion Questions christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203726791 1) Do you think the novel does a good job of making readers feel sympathetic towards Anastasia and her family?
2) How close do you think Carolyn Meyer stayed to the truth in this novel?
3) Why do you think that Anastasia, and none of her other family members, inspired legends?]]> 2017-11-06 03:34:33 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203726791 A brief video detailing Anastasia's life as well as her various impostors throughout history christina_williams3 https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203727424 2017-11-06 03:39:51 UTC https://padlet.com/christina_williams3/puuc0qczzih4/wish/203727424