Written by: Candace Fleming
Published by: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-375-86782-8
Plot Summary
The Family Romanov tells the tragic story of Russia's last tsar and his immediate family. Nicholas's leadership style is laid out in honest detail and it is easy to follow the trail that, little by little, leads to the downfall of his entire family and plunged Russia into years of struggle under Communist rule.
Included in the story are vignettes of the family's day-to-day life, set alongside historical events. Interwoven into these parallel tales of the Romanovs and Russia are stories of life "beyond the palace gates", which give insight into how hard the lives of Nicholas's subjects were while his family lived in luxury.
Critical Analysis
The Romanovs' story is laid out like a narrative and draws the reader in from the first tale of the ball that Nicholas and Alexandra held for the belaya lost, or nobility, in 1903. The rich details in this opening scene give the reader a glimpse into the opulence of their lives but also hints at their awkward personalities and the disconnect between them and their subjects, even those of the highest classes.
Beginning in the preface and continuing throughout the book, Fleming contrasts life as a royal with life as a Russian peasant with great effect. This contrast is also present before you open the book, with the cover photos. The royal family is shown at the top of the cover, looking relaxed and almost bored in their finery and jewels. Their faces are clean and even those of Nicholas and Alexandra are unlined. Compare that to the photo below the title, which shows a family of peasants. They are dressed in old clothes, with dirty faces that are careworn. Even the children look worried and seem much older than their royal counterparts.
Fleming uses the "beyond the palace gates" sections through the book to continue this comparison. Putting those experiences right beside the tales of the Romanovs' lives is eye-opening.
Accuracy is the most important component to look at when evaluating non-fiction texts, including biography and Fleming provides ample evidence to back up her spellbinding tale of the Romanovs. All quotes included in the book are referenced in a notes section that is accompanied by an extensive bibliography that includes both primary and general sources.
The layout of the book is chronological. In the beginning, Fleming includes both a family tree as well as a map of Imperial Russia. These are helpful tools to flip back to during the reading to better understand the relationships and locations that are mentioned throughout. She also includes a note on royal Russian titles and names used in the book along with a note on Russian dates. An index is found at the back of the book for quick access to certain subjects.
Contained in two large sections near the beginning and end of the book are photographs. Again, Fleming has chosen to include not only pictures of the royal family, but also those of Russian peasants. These add to the understanding of the monumental differences between the lives of these people who lived in the same place at the same time but who were worlds apart.
The story on its own is interesting, and Fleming is able to make it riveting. Reading a book where one already knows the ending has the potential to be less motivating, but Fleming interjects just the right tone to make it a page-turner.
Awards Won
2015- Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner
2015- NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
Review Excerpt
From The Horn Book, published July 16, 2014
"She cogently and sympathetically demonstrates how each group was the product of its circumstances, then how they all moved inexorably toward the tragic yet fascinating conclusion. Each member of the Romanov family emerges from these pages as a fully realized individual, but their portraits are balanced with vignettes that illuminate the lives of ordinary people, giving the book a bracing context."
Connections
Students can read Animal Farm by George Orwell and compare his tale based on the Russian revolution with the actual events presented in this book.
Study World War I in more detail and allow students to research the events mentioned in this book to find out more details about them.
Study the various tales of people who claimed to be the lost Romanov children throughout history and discuss the motivations that could have led them to do so.
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