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The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia
The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia | Candace Fleming
[A] superb history.... In these thrilling, highly readable pages, we meet Rasputin, the shaggy, lecherous mystic...; we visit the gilded ballrooms of the doomed aristocracy; and we pause in the sickroom of little Alexei, the hemophiliac heir who, with his parents and four sisters, would be murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918. The Wall Street Journal Here is the tumultuous, heartrending, true story of the Romanovsat once an intimate portrait of Russia's last royal family and a gripping account of its undoing. Using captivating photos and compelling first person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming (Amelia Lost; The Lincolns) deftly maneuvers between the imperial familys 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. "An exhilarating narrative history of a doomed and clueless family and empire." Jim Murphy, author of Newbery Honor Books An American Plague and The Great Fire "For readers who regard history as dull, Flemings extraordinary book is proof positive that, on the contrary, it is endlessly fascinating, absorbing as any novel, and the stuff of an altogether memorable reading experience." Booklist, Starred "Marrying the intimate family portrait of Heiligmans Charles and Emma with the politics and intrigue of Sheinkins Bomb, Fleming has outdone herself with this riveting work of narrative nonfiction that appeals to the imagination as much as the intellect." The Horn Book, Starred A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book A YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalist Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction From the Hardcover edition.
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julieclair
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Pickpick

Wow. This was a fascinating, very readable nonfiction book about Russia‘s last tsar and his family. I knew very little about the years surrounding the Russian Revolution prior to reading this book, so I really learned a lot. All the names are here - Nicholas, Alexandra, Rasputin, Lenin, “The Bolsheviks”, “The Soviets” and more. Now I have a basic understanding of the stories behind those names. ⬇️

julieclair I also now have a deep sense of sadness for the history of the Russian people. Thank you, @Cuilin , for choosing the Russian Revolution as our February theme for #BookedInTime. #ThemesMotifs&Tropes - Russian Revolution, Grand House (2 points) #TBRTarot @CBee (edited) 10mo
Cuilin #BookedInTime #RussianRevolution ✔️ 🎉I‘m glad you liked this prompt. And you just reminded me to post my own book review for this month. 10mo
julieclair @Cuilin I look forward to reading your review! 10mo
See All 8 Comments
CBee Very sad history indeed 😕 10mo
julieclair Thank, @dabbe ! That list is so helpful. 😀 10mo
sblbooks I read this a few years back when we did #yaApril. I think this is what you would call narrative nonfiction. It's so good. 10mo
julieclair @sblbooks Yes! Narrative nonfiction is exactly right! It‘s a genre I don‘t read often, but should. 10mo
36 likes1 stack add8 comments
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WildAlaskaBibliophile
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1. I do not
2. 1: an older brother
3. The tagged. So intriguing! So good!

#WondrousWednesday @Eggs

Eggs Great choice #3👌🏼 11mo
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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laurenkiernan

“... the wealthiest monarch in the world, who rules over 130 million people and one-sixth of the earth's land surface, yet turned a blind eye to the abject poverty of his subjects.“

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laurenkiernan

Older students would really enjoy reading this for a history project. The use of illustrations keeps engagement along with first-hand accounts making it an interesting read.

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laurenkiernan
Pickpick

This historical nonfiction book focuses on the Ramanov Family of Russia how their family dynamics were and the various historical events they were a part of. It uses illustrations, and first-person accounts that help carry the story along. This is definitely a middle school/high school level read as it is very long and some of the topics can be more mature.

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mcappel

“My earlier childhood was not accompanied by any particularly outstanding events unless one counts the fact that I survived“

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mcappel

This book would be good to read with fourth and eighth graders. It could be fun for students to read all or some of the books and then compare the book to the movie Anastasia. Students could look into the facts and decide if the movie is true to the real story.

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mcappel
Pickpick

This book is a deep dive into the Romanov family and the stages in their lives in Russia. The book is broken into 4 parts with individual chapters and letters from different members of the Romanov community (family, friends, etc.) The book has a family tree and a map of Russia to help readers understand. The book is set up like a normal book, and there is a dark part to symbolize the personal letters.

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TieDyeDude
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Pickpick

A comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and accessible history of the last of the Romanov dynasty and imperial Russia, though the reign of Putin does not go unmentioned. If anything, overly sympathetic to the tsar #LitsyLoveReads
Also, after a great weekend in Colorado, we came back with COVID 😢 Three years of being careful, but it finally caught us. So far, not much more than a bad flu (triple vaccinated), but we'll see how tomorrow goes.

Captivatedbybooks Pineapple juice is good for covid 1y
Deblovestoread Wishing you a speedy recovery! 1y
bthegood get well soon - 1y
See All 12 Comments
TheBookgeekFrau Lots of electrolytes--smart water or even pedialyte help tremendously! Feel better soon 🙏🏼 1y
Amiable I work at a hospital health system —our inpatient census in the COVID unit is on the rise again. Sorry to hear the virus finally caught you—hope you feel better before long! 1y
dabbe Get better soon! 🤗 1y
AnnCrystal Yikes! I've heard that there was a spike 🤒. May 🙏 you and yours 😷 recover quickly. 1y
Suet624 I got it three weeks ago for the first time too. Except for a bad Paxlovid reaction, the COVID experience was not bad. 1y
kspenmoll Hope you getter better soon! 1y
TheBookgeekFrau @TieDyeDude As weird as this sounds-- glad to hear it!! Hope you're both 100% soon 🙏🏼💕 1y
AnnCrystal 🙏👍. I'm hearing about more and more people catching this again. Here's hoping it remains light for everyone...in comparison with the first variants. 1y
41 likes12 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
Pickpick

Loved reading it a second time around. ✨especially when this time I had to create a critical analysis of it and how I can use it in the library as a Youth Librarian.

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Savedbygrace
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Pickpick

For some reason, I became randomly intrigued with the story of the Romanov family early this year and wanted to learn the true story behind the myth. After some research, I found this nonfiction drama about the last Tsar and the Romanov murder and what a gem it was! If you want a read that is both informing and exciting, I definitely recommend!

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

What to say except that this is one of the great stories of history and I never tire of it. This book does a great job of making a complex narrative both clear and human. An accessible, engaging read. #readharder2020

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ClairesReads
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#readharder2020 a YA non fiction book

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StaceyKondla
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 37 #bookstoread #tbrpile

vivastory I'm really looking forward to the new Hulu show about Catherine the Great 5y
StaceyKondla @vivastory Interesting! I rarely pay attention to tv anymore and I had no idea 5y
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sblbooks
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well done.
This YA non-fiction novel reads like fiction. It's my last for #YAApril @megnews It's been fun!

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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

I've recently started reading a lot of books on and about Russia, the Romanov lineage seemed like the perfect pick 👑

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destaneefolden

“Books taught me how to think.”

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destaneefolden

I thought this story was interesting, but it was also really long. I don't think that this would be a good classroom pick, because of the length. I think that you have to have an interest in history or true crime to really be interested in a story like this.

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destaneefolden
Mehso-so

This biography tells the story of the Romanov family, and what led to their downfall. I was drawn to this story, because I love true crime things. I liked that she used narratives alongside actual primary sources. I felt like I learned a lot about a case that I had never heard of. However, I don't think that children would be interested in this book because of the length and it's style of writing.

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peytonfleming
Mehso-so

Review: The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming, 2014, is a nonfiction book about the true story of the infamous Romanov family.
Blurb: This is a great example of the genre because it is factual and contains different aspects like pictures and maps to help tell the story. I would use this in a classroom and have students investigate further on their own.
Quote: “That's because they were members of the nobility.“

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kaykay521
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Pickpick

A great nonfiction on a piece of history I‘ve always had an interest in. FYI the animated Anastasia 90s movie is way historical inaccurate. The fall of imperial Russia, combined with the start of WWI makes for an interesting read.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

It's like a million degrees here but glass half full: I didn't get assassinated!

I need to fall down a Romanov internet research rabbit hole for like a day

Birdsong28 It's fiction but really good 5y
Birdsong28 Then this is it's 'sequel' as it sort of follows on and mentions things that happened in The Secret Wife 5y
Birdsong28 This is non fiction and a really informative book 5y
91 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Myhusbandhatesreading
Bailedbailed

Ugh, had to bail. Not really a bad book but just not my style.

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

My first book about the Romanov family. I feel like I could go down a rabbit hole to learn more. #audio

Book suggestions please!

34 likes9 comments
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Brooke_H
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Pickpick

I guess I should spoiler this review, even though, you know, history. I thought a knew a lot about the Romanovs. Maybe not a lot, but enough. Sometime in the early 1900s, the Bolsheviks revolted and shot the last czar and his family in a basement. But did Anastasia escape? DID SHE?? (Spoiler alert: She did not.) But there is so much more to know. I learned a lot of Russian history from this book. Riveting.

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Billypar
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#December #WinterWonderland
The first thing that popped in my head for the prompt wasn't a book, but the song 'Once Upon a December' from the film Anastasia. But the entire Romanov story has always fascinated me: The tagged book sounds like a good chronicling of the family and the tragedy that unfolded. @TrishB @Cinfhen

Cinfhen Great choice and who doesn‘t love the Romanovs??? 6y
TrishB Agree with @Cinfhen love a good Romanov story! 6y
Carolhreads I grew up watching that movie again and again i still listen to and sing the songs 😍😍😍❤️I love it :) 6y
Billypar @Carolhreads It's the best- one of my favorite animated musicals. Each song is musical-gold and it really transports you back to the time and place ☺️ 6y
Carolhreads @Billypar I agree every song fits and is well written it‘s rare to see a soundtrack so well put together and each song perfectly suited for the movie I think it will always be one of my favorites:) 6y
54 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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KerriNTurner
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The last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, along with Tsarina Alexandra and their five children, all make appearances in my upcoming book The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers. I loved every part of researching the family, but in particular going to Russia to see their homes, artefacts, and final resting place. Among the artefacts were numerous Faberge eggs - this teeny little egg and carriage is the closest I‘ll ever get to owning one! 😆

DivineDiana Beautiful treasures! 6y
LeahBergen I can‘t wait to read your book. 😍 6y
KerriNTurner @LeahBergen aw thank you so much, that means a lot to me! 😊 6y
24 likes1 stack add3 comments
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RowReads1
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Lwiesman
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Pickpick

I didn‘t know much about the Romanov‘s before reading this book. Such a tragedy. If only the Tsar had been a better leader, he could have saved his families life along with thousand of other Russians. I love learning about history through living books.

EvieBee I do too! I think I have this book in my collection. I‘m a little obsessed with the Romanovs. 7y
Lwiesman @EvieBee I would like to read more. The author didn‘t go into details about what happened to all@the diamonds, jewels, and all the belongings that Yurovsky took and were sent to the capital. 7y
LeahBergen @EvieBee I am, too! 7y
See All 6 Comments
EvieBee @Lwiesman There‘s a new book coming out this summer that‘s part of a trilogy. I wonder if it will discuss that. 7y
Lwiesman @EvieBee I will have to look for that when it comes out. 7y
KateFulfordAuthor Great review. Thanks. 7y
59 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Hrhadrienne
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I have read 158 pages of this book. All in doctors' waiting rooms. That is a good indication of the last month of my life.

Smrloomis Oh, that's a lot of waiting rooms 😥 7y
4 likes1 comment
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GreyZone
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I'm reading while I puppysit!

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Chelsibno
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Pickpick

This #nonfiction book was an interesting read. Going into the details of the Romanovs' lives, the book also weaves the events going on in Russia to show young readers how and why the Russian Revolution occurred and the Romanovs were imprisoned and later executed. While not the most detailed account of the Romanovs, it was an engaging account for young readers.

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Chelsibno
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1. Although I love fruit, I'd be worried that I'd get juice on the pages.
2. Deckles edges tend to annoy me.
3. I love so many series, that I'd rather read only series.
4. I think I'd have better luck living in Neverland. I always wanted to fly and fight pirates.
5. Since I'm in library school, I think my choice is rather obvious.

#BookishWouldYouRather @Kalalalatja

Kalalalatja I hadn't thought that both chocolate and fruit can be rather messy 😳 8y
34 likes1 comment
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BookInMyHands
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#backintheussr
#rockinmay

This was my favorite nonfiction read for teens a few years ago. This is such a fascinating time in history to me and Fleming does a great job setting the stage and giving alternating points of view.

Cinfhen Thanks for posting! I'm curious about this time/era 💕 8y
60 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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okthislooksbad
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Pickpick

My history-nerd self has been satisfied. For now. This was a great read.

17 likes3 stack adds
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Daisey
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Pickpick

This was a fascinating book about the last tsar of Russia and his family. Written for young adult readers, it's also good for any readers who aren't familiar with Russian history. I enjoyed it and felt it presented a balanced look at the family in their personal lives, their reliance on Rasputin, and the revolution in Russia that finally caused Nicholas to abdicate.

#nonfiction #audiobook

29 likes1 stack add
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Daisey
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Continuing to listen to this interesting book while enjoying a simple supper and the beautiful weather.

#nonfiction #audiobook

Daisey @Caryl Finally getting around to this book you recommended when I was listening to Egg and Spoon and really enjoying it. Thanks! 8y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Pickpick

4/5. A beautiful and intriguing narrative . I have been fascinated with the Romanov family since I was about nine- if you are looking for a personal look at the family, and and introduction to the time in Russian history they lived/ ruled, this is the book for you.

4 likes2 stack adds