Title: The Turning
Author: Gloria Whelan
Series: The Russian Saga, book 4
Major Themes: Russia, Soviet Union, Ballet, Communism
Synopsis: Tanya loved ballet, and it gave her the chance to leave the Soviet Union for a tour in France—but did she want to stay in France or return to her family and homeland?
The Turning is another of the books I bought on clearance a few years ago, and then was delighted to discover that it was included as a reader in the Language Arts curriculum I decided to use. Although I like to read the readers before my children get to them, I didn’t manage to accomplish that before one son reached that part of the course. I got caught up on review books recently, though, so I read it now, before the next son gets to it.
Publisher’s description:
It is 1991, and revolution is coming to the Soviet Union, but in Leningrad, life goes on as it always has. Food is scarce, and luxuries are few, but for a young dancer named Tanya, life is a beautiful dream. She dances all day and all night, performing on the stage of the greatest theater in Russia. Her family has sacrificed everything for her dream, and their efforts are finally paying off. Soon, the company will tour Europe, and Tanya will see Paris—a city so beautiful that she has begun to contemplate the unthinkable: leaving the Soviet Union forever.
Paris offers a chance for defection, which would mean saying goodbye to her family. But as the group prepares for the trip, politics and romance tempt her to stay in Leningrad. Soon, Tanya must choose her path. Does her future lie in Paris—or in a new Russia?
My thoughts:
I guess I didn’t read the back cover copy before I started reading The Turning. I did wonder in what era this one would be set, since Angel in the Square is just before/during the Russian Revolution and Burying the Sun is during World War II. I was surprised to find that this one jumped all the way to a time I can remember—the end of the Soviet Union! (What does that say about me, if a historical novel is set within my lifetime?!)
I learned a lot about ballet from this book. I can’t remember any other books I have read that have centered around dancing. That was quite interesting, as well as Tanya’s internal struggle to decide whether she should defect to Paris or stay with her family in the Soviet Union. Then everything changed suddenly, and she had even more decisions to make. This is a beautiful picture of a courageous girl and a turbulent time.
WARNING: Chapter 1: “Those sexy French thong panties.” Chapter 2: “Their voices were so sexy.” Chapter 5: Man pawed at a girl.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Kindle | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
Leave a Reply