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Putin vs. Zelensky: The Russo-Ukrainian War: Why It's Happening and How It All Got Started
Everything you needed to know about the war between Russia and Ukraine as told by children's nonfiction author Ben Thompson (Guts & Glory series). Conversational and straightforward, this is a must-read for any reader looking to have a better understanding of the current global events.
It is late on the evening of Monday, February 25th, 2022, and Kyiv is burning. The unthinkable has happened. The Russians have invaded Ukraine. Land war has come to Europe, on a scale that has not been seen since the end of the Second World War.
Since this date, Russia has enacted a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, led by its leader, president Vladimir Putin. Ukraine has fought back in turn, led by their president, Volodymyr Zelensky—defending their homeland and its independent customs, people, history, and language.
Putin vs Zelensky by Ben Thompson chronicles the history of Ukraine and the events that set in motion the Russian invasion and ongoing, present-day war, as told through the stories and heritage of the conflict's two key Volodomyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
It is late on the evening of Monday, February 25th, 2022, and Kyiv is burning. The unthinkable has happened. The Russians have invaded Ukraine. Land war has come to Europe, on a scale that has not been seen since the end of the Second World War.
Since this date, Russia has enacted a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, led by its leader, president Vladimir Putin. Ukraine has fought back in turn, led by their president, Volodymyr Zelensky—defending their homeland and its independent customs, people, history, and language.
Putin vs Zelensky by Ben Thompson chronicles the history of Ukraine and the events that set in motion the Russian invasion and ongoing, present-day war, as told through the stories and heritage of the conflict's two key Volodomyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 19, 2025
6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 7, 2025
Hmmm, I'm not sure how to review this one. It's interesting, but I think a very particular teen would be looking for it.
What Worked:Putin vs. Zelensky is one of the few YA non-fiction titles that has caught my eye this year. As someone who has a degree in history, I'm also interested in how the past informs the present. Thompson does a great job weaving the history of both Russia and the Ukraine into this accessible narrative that explains how these two nations are currently at war. I appreciated that Thompson presented the facts and then pushed readers to form their own opinions from that information. It assists in deepening conversations about the war while also providing space for the development of critical thinking skills.
What Didn't Work: I think that only a particular teen would enjoy this book. The history is detailed though not exhaustive. If you have voracious reader that enjoys non-fiction then this may work; however, it's not something that I could recommend to a broader audience.
Overall, I enjoyed this one; however, I do recognize as an adult reader there are certain elements that will have an appeal to very specific readers.
What Worked:Putin vs. Zelensky is one of the few YA non-fiction titles that has caught my eye this year. As someone who has a degree in history, I'm also interested in how the past informs the present. Thompson does a great job weaving the history of both Russia and the Ukraine into this accessible narrative that explains how these two nations are currently at war. I appreciated that Thompson presented the facts and then pushed readers to form their own opinions from that information. It assists in deepening conversations about the war while also providing space for the development of critical thinking skills.
What Didn't Work: I think that only a particular teen would enjoy this book. The history is detailed though not exhaustive. If you have voracious reader that enjoys non-fiction then this may work; however, it's not something that I could recommend to a broader audience.
Overall, I enjoyed this one; however, I do recognize as an adult reader there are certain elements that will have an appeal to very specific readers.
March 17, 2025
This is a hard book to rate. As an adult, I appreciated the thorough information, but I can’t see kids getting into it.
Thompson begins with the early 20th century history of Czar Nicholas in Russia. He explains how his unpopularity led to the rise of Lenin and communism and eventually to Stalin in World War 2. His details clearly explain the repetition of cruel Russian governments being overthrown by revolutionaries, only to be replaced by one just as bad. The author repeatedly uses the saying “I fled from a wolf, but ran into a bear” to show that the situation for the Russian laborer never improved when governments changed. It’s a fascinating read for people who grew up under benevolent governments. Side note: Vladimir Putin’s grandfather was a personal chef to all three of the previously mentioned dictators.
The book does eventually get around to Putin and Zelensky. It talks about Putin growing up in the Cold War and, having seen the USSR fall from power in the 80s and 90s, wanting to return it to greatness. Zelensky, on the other hand, was a Ukrainian celebrity. His only advantage was that he wasn’t a corrupt politician. The book talks about how the NATO situation plays prominently in the current war. I was happy that the book stayed completely unbiased and just stated the facts.
Unfortunately, the book isn’t narrative enough for kids, which makes it a hard sell. Even I had to skip one of the chapters because I found it to be too boring.
Thompson begins with the early 20th century history of Czar Nicholas in Russia. He explains how his unpopularity led to the rise of Lenin and communism and eventually to Stalin in World War 2. His details clearly explain the repetition of cruel Russian governments being overthrown by revolutionaries, only to be replaced by one just as bad. The author repeatedly uses the saying “I fled from a wolf, but ran into a bear” to show that the situation for the Russian laborer never improved when governments changed. It’s a fascinating read for people who grew up under benevolent governments. Side note: Vladimir Putin’s grandfather was a personal chef to all three of the previously mentioned dictators.
The book does eventually get around to Putin and Zelensky. It talks about Putin growing up in the Cold War and, having seen the USSR fall from power in the 80s and 90s, wanting to return it to greatness. Zelensky, on the other hand, was a Ukrainian celebrity. His only advantage was that he wasn’t a corrupt politician. The book talks about how the NATO situation plays prominently in the current war. I was happy that the book stayed completely unbiased and just stated the facts.
Unfortunately, the book isn’t narrative enough for kids, which makes it a hard sell. Even I had to skip one of the chapters because I found it to be too boring.
July 13, 2025
Ben Thompson has written the book that I wish I had been able to read in 2022. The history between Russia and Ukraine is long and intertwined. That made it difficult for me to understand as I was trying to get a crash course in knowing why Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Since the beginning of the war, I have read deeply researched tomes that went into far more details and tangential topics than I needed but that was what I had available to me. And even still, I did not learn all of the pertinent factors that led to Putin's decision to invade until reading Putin vs. Zelensky: The Russo-Ukrainian War.
Thompson has taken a complex history and distilled it into the easiest-to-read volume I have come across yet. Aimed at a middle grade audience, this book is a well balanced combination of quantity of information and understandability. Whether you are an adult wishing to better understand the politics behind the Russian invasion of Ukraine or a young person who doesn't know much about the background of the war, this book will give you better insight.
Thompson has taken a complex history and distilled it into the easiest-to-read volume I have come across yet. Aimed at a middle grade audience, this book is a well balanced combination of quantity of information and understandability. Whether you are an adult wishing to better understand the politics behind the Russian invasion of Ukraine or a young person who doesn't know much about the background of the war, this book will give you better insight.
November 29, 2025
Part Two of Joanna Spends Her Holiday with Dictators...
Redeemed Reader (Janie Cheaney) gave this children's history a starred review so I picked it up hoping it could answer some of my basic questions about the war in Ukraine. It does--the author positively BREEZES through centuries of history, but it's enough to get a taste of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine since before they were Russia and Ukraine. Even though it's for kids (I'd say early to mid teens) and very conversational, I had to take lots of breaks while reading it because it made me so mad and so sad. All through, I kept quoting Psalm 2 to myself: "He who sits in the heavens laughs [at the kings of the earth who set themselves against God]." It's the truth that helps me put these horrific, ongoing stories into the true perspective: Where in the end, a just God reigns, rights every wrong, and washes this groaning world and her poor, suffering people with mercy.
Redeemed Reader (Janie Cheaney) gave this children's history a starred review so I picked it up hoping it could answer some of my basic questions about the war in Ukraine. It does--the author positively BREEZES through centuries of history, but it's enough to get a taste of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine since before they were Russia and Ukraine. Even though it's for kids (I'd say early to mid teens) and very conversational, I had to take lots of breaks while reading it because it made me so mad and so sad. All through, I kept quoting Psalm 2 to myself: "He who sits in the heavens laughs [at the kings of the earth who set themselves against God]." It's the truth that helps me put these horrific, ongoing stories into the true perspective: Where in the end, a just God reigns, rights every wrong, and washes this groaning world and her poor, suffering people with mercy.
June 28, 2025
Thompson, in this middle-grade non-fictional history of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict. Starting from the time of the Tsars to the present day. Written for middle-grade readers, this is also good for adults who want to learn more about this conflict. It breaks down the complexities of both nations, making it easier to follow the ongoing conflict. Interwoven throughout the historical narrative are the grandfathers of both Zelensky and Putin. They were in the background of the conflict before the rise of their grandsons.
I recommend this to people who want to know the history of the Ukrainians' quest for independence and the expansionism of the Russian Empire. This is also good for helping your children understand today's current conflict. Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for letting me review this title.
I recommend this to people who want to know the history of the Ukrainians' quest for independence and the expansionism of the Russian Empire. This is also good for helping your children understand today's current conflict. Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, for letting me review this title.
August 13, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley but all opinions expressed are my own.
As a children’s and teen librarian I absolutely love the way Thompson was able to condense so much history into 240 pages without leaving out any important details. I know so many kids with insatiable curiosities that will be in love with this book. Honestly, even as an adult who didn’t know a lot about how we got to where we are today with Russia and Ukraine, I learned so much and am grateful that Thompson did so much research. I cannot wait to order a copy for work!
As a children’s and teen librarian I absolutely love the way Thompson was able to condense so much history into 240 pages without leaving out any important details. I know so many kids with insatiable curiosities that will be in love with this book. Honestly, even as an adult who didn’t know a lot about how we got to where we are today with Russia and Ukraine, I learned so much and am grateful that Thompson did so much research. I cannot wait to order a copy for work!
September 10, 2025
2.5 stars adjusted to 2 stars. This book is written for middle schoolers; I like reading non-fiction that is for middle-grade because it is usually written in a style that is more understandable and not as dry. That i not the case though in this book, I found it very dry and boring, but I wanted to learn more so I forced myself to finish it, but really learn anything that I remember. This book should probably be rated lower.
August 20, 2025
Ben Thompson's book transports his reader through a riveting journey of the fascinating events and characters that are weaved in the Ukraine war. It's a complex, polarizing topic that the author addressing with lucidity. He never talks down to his audience, but is able to maintain clarity while being engaging and demonstrating how important and relevant historical context can be.
August 20, 2025
Ben Thompson's book transports his reader through a riveting journey of the fascinating events and characters that are weaved in the Ukraine war. It's a complex, polarizing topic that the author addressing with lucidity. He never talks down to his audience, but is able to maintain clarity while being engaging and demonstrating how important and relevant historical context can be.
November 24, 2025
This starts slow and detailed. Readers are introduced to the geopolitical history of Russia and Ukraine. The pace picks up a bit when we learn about 20th century history and events in each country as leadership changed. The last third of the book is the most detailed and the easiest to comprehend. This is very recent history explained in manageable terms.
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August 17, 2025Reading to review for professional magazine.
September 10, 2025
it was a good read.
December 3, 2025
A good basic intro to the subject for any age. Pro- Ukraine tilt.
January 31, 2026
What a great volume to explain how Ukraine got to the place it's at now. It even explained the Russian Revolution in a way I could understand.
March 4, 2025
This is a well-researched history of Russia and Ukraine, as the author takes us back and forth in time to discover how Putin came to power, as well as the strength of Ukraine in seeking independence and fighting back.
This is listed as a children's non-fiction history book but I think it will appeal more to YA readers as there is a lot of dense information, unfamiliar names, and the complicated history of Russia pre- and post- Soviet Union.
That said, I think now more than ever readers have to understand Eastern European history to make intelligent connections to current US events.
This is a very reader-friendly book for adults, and I recommend all adults who are concerned about Putin's threat to not only Ukraine but democracy around the world
This is listed as a children's non-fiction history book but I think it will appeal more to YA readers as there is a lot of dense information, unfamiliar names, and the complicated history of Russia pre- and post- Soviet Union.
That said, I think now more than ever readers have to understand Eastern European history to make intelligent connections to current US events.
This is a very reader-friendly book for adults, and I recommend all adults who are concerned about Putin's threat to not only Ukraine but democracy around the world
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews