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Behind the Border
A Glimpse at Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
In a baker's dozen of charming and poignant vignettes, Nina Kossman tells of her childhood in the Soviet Union. Nina wants to become a heroine by awakening Grandfather Lenin during a class trip to his tomb, or by painting Red Square really red. But she is also increasingly fascinated with life in the forbidden world "behind the border," fed by information gathered from her parents and from forbidden BBC broadcasts, as well as by her own growing awareness of the contradictions of Soviet life.
"With poignant innocence, Kossman writes of her childhood experiences in Russia in the '60s. Each chapter relates a memory tinged with the effects of the totalitarian regime that influenced every aspect of her and her family's lives. The opening vignette reveals the unexpected restrictions of the border when a beach ball floats out to sea and young Nina is told that she would never be allowed into Turkey to retrieve it. In the subsequent chapters, the author describes situations through the eyes of a 7-to-10-year-old in which adults reveal either fear of authority or of autocratic bullying. Her parents try to protect her, but her experiences at school eventually result in surprisingly mature conclusions as she comes to realize, fear, and resent the strictures under which she lives. ... The simple, childlike style intensifies the impact of Kossman's words, and is reminiscent of the fictional Friedrich (Puffin, 1987) by Hans Peter Richter. ...This unique book will serve to promote discussions of freedom. The commonality of typical childhood activities - going to the beach, friendships, and school assignments - make the child very real. The endnotes further reveal the restrictions imposed on Soviet citizens. - Carrol McCarthy, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
"13 short pieces...pungently convey the effects of growing up under a totalitarian regime." - Publishers Weekly
"Kossman's vivid picture of life behind the Iron Curtain and her notes at the end of the book will be useful discussion starters for classes studying political changes in Eastern Europe." - Booklist
"This child's eye view of Soviet Russia is original and...surprisingly perceptive both of Russian society and Nina, its engaging ... heroine. An unforgettable picture of life 'behind the border'...perfectly attuned to young readers." - Jean Fritz
___________
The first (hardcover) edition was published by Lothrop Lee & Shepard, an imprint of William Morrow (now an imprint of HarperCollins) in 1994. It was followed by a turtleback (1995) and a paperback edition (1996).
In a baker's dozen of charming and poignant vignettes, Nina Kossman tells of her childhood in the Soviet Union. Nina wants to become a heroine by awakening Grandfather Lenin during a class trip to his tomb, or by painting Red Square really red. But she is also increasingly fascinated with life in the forbidden world "behind the border," fed by information gathered from her parents and from forbidden BBC broadcasts, as well as by her own growing awareness of the contradictions of Soviet life.
"With poignant innocence, Kossman writes of her childhood experiences in Russia in the '60s. Each chapter relates a memory tinged with the effects of the totalitarian regime that influenced every aspect of her and her family's lives. The opening vignette reveals the unexpected restrictions of the border when a beach ball floats out to sea and young Nina is told that she would never be allowed into Turkey to retrieve it. In the subsequent chapters, the author describes situations through the eyes of a 7-to-10-year-old in which adults reveal either fear of authority or of autocratic bullying. Her parents try to protect her, but her experiences at school eventually result in surprisingly mature conclusions as she comes to realize, fear, and resent the strictures under which she lives. ... The simple, childlike style intensifies the impact of Kossman's words, and is reminiscent of the fictional Friedrich (Puffin, 1987) by Hans Peter Richter. ...This unique book will serve to promote discussions of freedom. The commonality of typical childhood activities - going to the beach, friendships, and school assignments - make the child very real. The endnotes further reveal the restrictions imposed on Soviet citizens. - Carrol McCarthy, Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
"13 short pieces...pungently convey the effects of growing up under a totalitarian regime." - Publishers Weekly
"Kossman's vivid picture of life behind the Iron Curtain and her notes at the end of the book will be useful discussion starters for classes studying political changes in Eastern Europe." - Booklist
"This child's eye view of Soviet Russia is original and...surprisingly perceptive both of Russian society and Nina, its engaging ... heroine. An unforgettable picture of life 'behind the border'...perfectly attuned to young readers." - Jean Fritz
___________
The first (hardcover) edition was published by Lothrop Lee & Shepard, an imprint of William Morrow (now an imprint of HarperCollins) in 1994. It was followed by a turtleback (1995) and a paperback edition (1996).
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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18 people want to read
About the author
Nina Kossman
18 books11 followersNina Kossman is a transdisciplinary artist. Her work is animated by an interest in nature, history, mythology, and bilingualism. A writer and painter, she exhibited her paintings internationally, and her writing has been published in a dozen languages, including French, Italian, Greek, Hebrew, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, German, Persian, Chinese, Bengali, and Japanese. Nina Kossman’s 11 books include poetry (in Russian and English), short prose (in Russian and English), children’s poetry, an anthology she edited for Oxford University Press, two volumes of translations of Marina Tsvetaeva’s poetry, and a novel. Her English-language work has appeared in over ninety magazines and anthologies and has been translated into twelve languages. Her plays have been produced in the US, the UK, and Australia. She received a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, grants from the Onassis Foundation and the Foundation for Hellenic Culture, and the (now defunct) UNESCO/PEN Short Story Award. She is a founding editor of EastWest Literary Forum, a bilingual magazine. Born in the former Soviet Union, she lives in New York.
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Nina-Kossman/e... .
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Nina-Kossman/e... .
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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February 21, 2014I have just read this to my 8,12 and 14 year olds............they actually responded really well.....gave rise to lots of discussion about closed governments and communism. It really made my kids think. It was fun and amusing also. Quick read great to intro the thoughts of a different governing rule. Nice from a kids perspective also!
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March 8, 2022This book was great! I couldn't stop reading it. The book has very interesting stories each chapter.
March 2, 2026
Communism through the eyes of a five year Jewish girl
Thirteen true stories, averaging three to five pages each, revealing Nina Kossman's life in Russia before her family immigrated to America.
Lenin was presented as the grandfather of all Russian children. They wore buttons with his face. His body was displayed in a temperature controlled, glass sarcophagus so the Russians could visit Red Square and see him.
Some of the story topics: Children were told by their teacher that she had a golden rope and could watch them on t.v. at anytime; beware if foreigners-they are the enemy of the Soviet people; Kulaks are rich people & that's why they're bad; you must turn in your parents if they speak against Russia; Capitalist uses watches to turn Russian children from good to bad; accuses Nina of being a traitor when a rumor starts that they're leaving Russia.
Ends with a section on Communism & capitalist, Lenin, kulaks, Russian Jews, Soviet news & censorship, Stalin, arrests & labor camps, Red Square, Soviet schools.
Eye-opener on how indoctrination starts in kindergarten.
Thirteen true stories, averaging three to five pages each, revealing Nina Kossman's life in Russia before her family immigrated to America.
Lenin was presented as the grandfather of all Russian children. They wore buttons with his face. His body was displayed in a temperature controlled, glass sarcophagus so the Russians could visit Red Square and see him.
Some of the story topics: Children were told by their teacher that she had a golden rope and could watch them on t.v. at anytime; beware if foreigners-they are the enemy of the Soviet people; Kulaks are rich people & that's why they're bad; you must turn in your parents if they speak against Russia; Capitalist uses watches to turn Russian children from good to bad; accuses Nina of being a traitor when a rumor starts that they're leaving Russia.
Ends with a section on Communism & capitalist, Lenin, kulaks, Russian Jews, Soviet news & censorship, Stalin, arrests & labor camps, Red Square, Soviet schools.
Eye-opener on how indoctrination starts in kindergarten.
June 20, 2023
Good book loved it
October 29, 2008
Nina Kossman spent her early childhood in Russia. She learned that if her beach ball floated way from her on the Black Sea and went toward the Turkish border she would never
get it back. Later she tried to erase all the borders on the map so that nothing would separate the world's nations. In school she learns it's heroic to betray one's parents to the government if they are not politically correct. In these memoirs, Nina relates 13 personal anecdotes that show us first hand what life was like for children in the Soviet Union in the '60's. This book can be understood (if read aloud) by primaries and adults alike
get it back. Later she tried to erase all the borders on the map so that nothing would separate the world's nations. In school she learns it's heroic to betray one's parents to the government if they are not politically correct. In these memoirs, Nina relates 13 personal anecdotes that show us first hand what life was like for children in the Soviet Union in the '60's. This book can be understood (if read aloud) by primaries and adults alike
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews