Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief

by Katrina Nannestad

Award-winning writer Katrina Nannestad transports us to Russia and the Great Patriotic War and into the life of Sasha, a soldier at only six years old ...


Wood splinters and Mama screams and the nearest soldier seizes her roughly by the arms. My sister pokes her bruised face out from beneath the table and shouts, 'Run, Sasha! Run!'

So I run. I run like a rabbit.

It's spring, 1942. The sky is blue, the air is warm and sweet with the scent of flowers.

And then everything is gone.

The flowers, the proud geese, the pretty wooden houses, the friendly neighbours. Only Sasha remains.

But one small boy, alone in war-torn Russia, cannot survive.

One small boy without a family cannot survive.

One small boy without his home cannot survive.

What that small boy needs is an army.

From the award-winning author of We Are Wolves comes the story of a young boy who becomes a soldier at six, fighting in the only way he can -- with love. But is love ever enough when the world is at war?


AWARDS

Winner - The Indie Book Awards 2022 (Children's)
Winner - ABA Bookseller's Choice 2022 Book of the Year Awards (Children's)
Shortlisted - CBCA 2022 (Younger Reader's Book)
Shortlisted - ABIAs 2022 (Book of the Year for Younger Children)

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Historical, Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2021

About the author

Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning Australian author. Her books include The Girl Who Brought Mischief, the Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Olive of Groves series, the Red Dirt Diaries series, the Lottie Perkins series and Bungaloo Creek.

Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighborhood stuffed full of happy children. Her adult years have been spent teaching, raising boys, perfecting her recipe for chocolate-chip bickies and pursuing her love of stories. She now lives near Bendigo with her family and an exuberant black whippet called Olive.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being told to run by her sister in the faces of the brutal German soldiers, Sasha did as he was told. Six years old, he ran as fast as he could, as long as he could, as far away as he could. Hungry, tired and thirsty, Sasha slowly and carefully made his way back home, through the forests and fields - but where was his village? Everything was ashes, everyone was gone. Would he ever see Mama and his sister again?

Sasha - whose mother called Little Rabbit - was found by Russian Red Army soldiers, who cared for him, fed him and slowly he was happy again. He cried often, when memories hit him, but then a tailor made him a red army uniform - Sasha was proud as a peacock. He would sing to the soldiers, hold their hand as they were stitched up, eat Cook's food, and the love he held for his army family surmounted almost everything. The war between the Germans and the Russians was deadly, the battle in Stalingrad severe. But still Sasha shared his love and hugs around. He was the Angel of Stalingrad...

Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Aussie author Katrina Nannestad was another exceptional read by this author. Her books have won many awards including two for this one in 2022. Sasha was a wonderful little boy who helped so many after losing his whole family to the Germans. Highly recommended.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really not the sort of book I read. You can give me the most violent, murderous book and I’m fine, but as soon as it’s inspired by real events: I am so out of there. Particularly WWII. But like a stinky cheese you have to try again to see if you still hate it (spoiler: I do) I decided to get back on the horse and give it another go. And I picked this book, since with was nominated for CBCA book week this year.
And oh my gosh, this was such an amazing book. It is senseless and horrible and heartbreaking, but also moving and beautiful and full of love and hope. I read it in a single sitting. Sasha was such a pure and loving character, and to see this story unfold through his eyes truly was an amazing experience. All the hugs, Sasha. All the hugs.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely magical! Another stunning middle grade historical fiction from Katrina Nannestad, this beautifully written story is brimming with hope, love and light, despite the dark topic. There are so many beautiful lines to share from this book, I wanted to share them with the people around me. The book would make a beautiful read aloud. Potentially best to be read by adult to a child at home rather than a class with differing maturity and sensitivity levels.

[.☆°•♡Cleo♡•°☆. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Lord...

SPOILERS GUYS (MAJOR ONES)

Okay when I tell you this made me cry at school!
This book I read when I was in primary school, for my year! I forever love the school for reading it to us, because I never would've found it!!!

Okay first of all, Katrina Nannestad. This book is so sad, heart-warming, beautiful, literally every emotion I felt was pure joy! She made me get another one of her books and im going to get lots of other books. Although this book tops everything, nothing can beat it, I actually did borrow from the library Olive Of Gardens, The Great Slurp Of Time, so that was my first book but, we actually had to do assignments to Rabbit, Soiler, Angel, Thief.

Okay: Sasha. Sasha is... too young. Having fled from home at that age is... brutal. And he becomes a soldier of the Red Army at... 6 years old. Yelena and Mama, play a big role in this book, because it goes past to present, it's set in WWII. There are multiple places mentioned in it, Stalingrad, from what I remember is a big one, because they're travelling a lot, due to the war and bombings.

After the monster Germans, bomb Sasha's village, he runs and runs and runs. Sleeps in a tree trunk and waits for the sun. In the morning he heads back over to the village to find it... destroyed. Nothing left, except for his cat, Ushanka. Sasha decides to go and explore seeing if anyone's left, he tries to convince himself that people are left. Until he stumbles upon a group of men, they feed him, give him water and take them to their base. He realises that they're part of the Red Army.

I won't explain the rest, just characters and things!

Sasha: A kind and caring young boy, who helps the injured soldiers, sings for them, rolls up their cigars, dances and tells stories.

Invincible Ivan: I love him, because he has such hope and he's always injured and the patches depending on the wound and the cut is such a cute but sad thing to realise how many times he's been fighting. And the YEARNING for Nurse Natasha is AHHHH!! I love romance, and whenever the teacher read a line like: "I'm going to marry her one day" the class, being immature and not knowing what love is, screams their heads off. But him and Natasha are so cute and at least they actually get married!

Nurse Natasha: Omg, her love for Sasha is so cute, she immediately loves him and wants to become his friend. She's so kind to Sasha but gets stubborn when talking to the soldiers🤭 I love her role in this and like I said: Ivan and Natasha ❤️

Papa Scruff: Holy hell. He didn't deserve it, Okay??
HE WAS MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER?! ALL OF MY FAVS DIE!!! But omg, he is the father figure Sasha never had. I love him so much and when he died ... NO. Okay. Katrina you've scared me for life. He did not not NOT deserve to die. And when we're going past to present, Sasha NEVER talks, then he tells stories and we figure out at the end the reason why it was he never talked was because of trauma from Papa Scruff. He was the kindest character and he deserved to actually live and live with Sasha😭

Anyone else idc about, tearing up. Cook, was so kind, Doctor Orlova was in the present times and she was so nice, any of the nurses treated Sasha like a son. Grumpy Boris's line where Sasha thinks he's dead was so sad 😭 But DW he's back to life. I can't think of anyone else, oh Igor! The newspaper was so cute and our class as a project had to make a newspaper, which was very fun! This is my first historical book, well based off a true story, but it will not be my last, I finished All The Beautiful Things, which is so so so cute, and the story is about sister's living in Germany, so we get a Germans pov and in Sasha's book, he's Russian so he hated Germans, and so does the sisters in their book, they hate Hitler. The book is heartwarming and sad.

I hope this helped and Papa Scruff didn't deserve to die! HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE😭😭😭

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable read, which I confess took me a while to get into, but when I did, I was invested until the end.

It has shades of Morris Gleitzman's Once series in the writing style... as it is told from the point of view of a 6 year old boy, Sasha (who is 9 by the end of the book) who is 'adopted' by a group of Red Army soldiers as they try and protect Russia from the invading Nazis.

They travel across parts of Russia and Ukraine, and into Poland and Germany, their numbers depleting as they go. The story of that journey is told from Sasha's hospital bed, which gives us a glimpse into the fact that something has happened to put him there.

At the time of reading this book, Russia was invading Ukraine and there were some interesting parallels and connections I made which made it all the more powerful.

This quote struck a chord:
"There is beauty in the world, even in the darkest of times. Beauty and love and joy. And in the future, we will do all that we can to spread the beauty so that there is no room left for hate or fear or greed or even sad memories.... I am filled with hope for a better future."

[whatbooknext · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha hasn't spoken. Not since he's been at the hospital. No one knows why, not even Sasha, but he does know he needs certain things. He needs them so badly he plans how to get them, and then hides them from prying eyes. Why does he need them? He doesn't know that either.

Feathers from a pillow, a fluffy hat. There is a knotted piece of rope and matchboxes full of ash. It's a posy of flowers given to him by his doctor that brings a word from his lips. A tiny bunch that triggers a memory. Sasha begins to speak.

He tells of life in a Russian village with his mother and big sister Yelana. Sasha is only 6 in this memory, and he remembers the fields surrounding the village, full of flowers. Then the Germans soldiers come. They stomp through Sasha's village in their big black boots, kicking in doors, then people, all the while laughing. When they finally leave, at even only 12 yeas old, Yelana vows to fight back. They have already lost an older sister and their father to the war, and she doesn't want to lose any more.

Sasha remembers the consequences of her decision, in the shape of 12 matchboxes full of ash.

More memories surface in the shape of a beetle, some buttons and a pile of white feathers. These memories come from being taken in and cared for by soldiers of the Red Army, fighting against the German war machine. He becomes a light for the soldiers, as he is kind, gentle and sweet in a world of war. He loves to sing and is generous with kisses on cheeks and hugs where he thinks one is needed.

Slowly over time, Sasha reveals more of his life over the past few years. He has collected more things that seem important, but are only understood once he begins talking.

The nursing staff realise who this little boy is and what he has done for the Red Army and the spirits of the Russian people. Sasha takes it all in, remembering who he once was, and now wondering who he will become.

A story told in the point of view of a small, 6 yr old Russian boy. It begins in a hospital after the second world war, but the reader is taken back to 1942 when the Red Army (Russia) are fighting to rid their country of German soldiers. Sasha learns first hand how ruthless war is, losing much, but he is cared for by Russian soldiers and he soon becomes essential to their small military unit.

Based upon a real boy named Sergey Aleshkov, Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, gives a view inside the Russian side of the story - fighting to reclaim their country and their way of life. There were others like Sasha and Sergey, taken in by Red Army soldiers instead of leaving them on their own.

[Emily V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a little boy who lived in a small town in Russia, but then it was invaded by the German army. He runs away into the forest until he can run no more and falls asleep. He wakes up with people around him, people from the Red Cross. They have saved him from dying in the forest. Throughout the book, he stays with the Red Cross and becomes the youngest person on there, but he does not fight.

[Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

it will make you cry.

[Steve Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This book is fiction, but it was inspired by the story of a real boy, Sergey Aleshkov. Sergey was one of the youngest soldiers to serve in the Second World War. He was somewhere between six and eight years of age when he first joined the Red Army."

- Katrina Nannestad.

This story of young Sasha is very moving as a young boy witnesses first hand the terror, the pain, and the horror of one of the worst periods in human history.

To view the world, its beauties, and horrors through the eyes of a child is a sobering experience.

[Ruby Pellew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book !! It was so inspiring and heartwarming. I would definitely read it again.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this to be so heartbreaking even though I knew what it was about.

A good drama read for something different als0 funny at times.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible (older) children’s book which I had to read to teach my Year 6 class. I can absolutely see why we use this book to teach characterisation, the author is so good at it.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from my stage 3 class:
First time is the worst time. That’s where you’ll cry the most. Too disappointing and sad and too tense!! Emotional damage, beautifully wrote (another student: written!). Emotionally scarring book but also a good book. Best out of all of her books with children’s point of view of war. One student: best book I’ve ever read.
“I’d like to have a talk with the author to make it less traumatising. She used a hundred pages to connect with someone just to kill them off.”
Very impressive to make us all be so invested and upset.

Reading this with my class was such a beautiful experience. The learning discussions in this were incredible: the moral dilemmas, the empathy and kindness and hope in the middle of death and destruction, the impact of war on humanity. The tension and anxiety we felt throughout the book. We laughed together and cried together. So impressed with this book.

[Luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the DAWCL list under historical fiction. This book won the ARA Historical Novel Award and the Indie Book Awards both in 2022.
This book is a novel set during World War II, focusing on the Eastern Front in Russia. It was also more impactful to know that Sasha is based on a real boy named Sergei and his experience. The story follows a 6-year-old boy named Sasha. His village life was destroyed by the German forces in 1942. This book is structured using a dual timeline. Sasha is mute from the trauma, only communicating through the collection of small items he has collected along the way. He is "adopted" by a unit of the Red Army, taking him through the siege of Stalingrad and to Berlin.
The title reflects the four roles that Sasha plays in his survival:
Rabbit, as a fearful, innocent child running away from danger
Soldier, as he was adopted by the Red Army unit
Angel, as the boy who boosts morale, and called the "Angel of Stalingrad."
Thief, as he "steals" small items using them as keys to unlock memories and trauma.
This book is suitable for primary and intermediate grades.
I would recommend this book for a class activity that involves a perspective analysis. Using this author's other book, We Are Wolves, readers can compare Sasha's perspective in the novel with that of a German soldier from the other book and discuss how the setting can influence the narrative. Teachers can also use this book to introduce the history of the Eastern Front and the Siege of Stalingrad, providing historical context for World War II. Older grades can also look into the symbolism of the "thieved" objects.

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant, beautiful masterpiece of middle grade fiction Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief is. The Russian experience of World War Two from the perspective of a little caring poet. I would not have liked to be in the classroom reading this one!!! Tears of sorrow just as much as tears of joy…A heartbreaking/ heartwarming novel that does absolutely ‘show that a kind person’s light can shine even in the darkest of times’

[Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick this up because it’s the novel I’m teaching for school next term, and I am super surprised to love it so much. This is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read, filled with deep, heart wrenching moments and unforgettable characters. It truly highlights the power of hope and joy in the midst of war, ugliness and pain. I love the power of a well written children’s book, and am eager to see how this translates to my students hearts and minds next.

[Hannah Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a historical novel is a moving and adventurous story set during World War II. It follows Sasha, a young boy who becomes a soldier after being orphaned, and a little white rabbit that becomes his best friend and comfort during hard times. The book shows bravery, kindness, and hope even in scary situations.

The writing is gentle but powerful, with emotional moments that might make you sad, yet also inspired. It’s a story about friendship, survival, and finding light in dark times.
I’d recommend it for readers aged 10+ (Because it kind of has some violence) who enjoy historical stories with heart, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

[Sara Neville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow the story is more beautiful than the cover, spine and end papers. The voice of a six year old boy speaks so strongly in this book, moved to tears several times!!!!

[Sascha McNaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little transition read to have a break from a million fantasy’s in a row. I really like the plot/storyline much like her other book we are wolves. If you want a sad and quick read this is perfect for you. I will not get over the ending.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ten year old daughter rated this 5 stars.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, I'm not Nannestad's target audience here, but I'm of the firm belief that good children's and YA literature has universal appeal. Sadly, I felt this one was just okay.

What I did like about this book was that it tells a story that is often forgotten in children's literature about WWII. Many have forgotten that we were once allies with Russia, and the people of the Soviet Union suffered just as much as any. I love that Nannestad is able to educate a generation of children on a different side to the war.

My issue, though, is with the story telling. At times, the prose felt incredibly repetitive. I was getting sick of the phrase "blue, blue cornflowers" by the end. One of my biggest gripes with this book, too, is that the author seems to wave away the atrocities committed by the Red Army against the citizens of Germany in the aftermath of WWII. And no, I won't accept "oh, it's a children's book, what do you expect?" as an answer. Arguably more skilled children's writers like Markus Zusak and John Boyne manage to capture the atrocities of Nazi Germany in a way that's age-appropriate to both the target audience and their pre-pubescent narrators. Nannestad could've done better in this regard.

Overall, it's a sweet story that I like children aged 10-14 would enjoy with a bit of contextual research. It's just definitely not for me.

[Margot Lindgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you read this book the significance of each word in the title is cleverly revealed. There is a very appealing structure to this book which has the dual effect of making it easy to read; helping to move the story forward; and working as a device that creates anticipation for the reader as we wait to find out why each object is so important as a memory trigger for Sasha.

One of the aspects of the writing in this book that I really appreciated was the way Katrina Nannestad creates powerful contrasts. For example in the early scenes we read about all the pretty flowers in the village - sunflowers, sun kissed strawberries, larkspur, daffodils and cherry trees covered in blossoms. Then we read of the arrival of the German soldiers and there are word such as hard boots, kicking doors, and stomp, stomp stomp. Then near the end of the book we read about tanks rolling into the city with flowers in their cannons. Such a joyous scene. Another truly special aspect of this book is comes from the way Katrina Nannestad imbues Sasha with deep tenderness and an emotional intelligence well beyond his tender years. I have to say his tiny heart certainly touched mine. This is a book that will linger with you long after the last page is turned.

[Debra Clewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one night. Poignant, sad, touching, gritty, with some uplifting moments. Whilst it is a book of fiction, the story is based on a real Russian 6-year-old boy who is taken on by the Red Army after his village is destroyed and his family taken during WW2. Sasha is a singer and storyteller who always tries to help and encourage others through the most tragic and trying circumstances. Told in first person narrative, the author paints vivid descriptions of village life and living through war with all its horrors. Her character descriptions are very real with all their foibles and pathos. The roller coaster of emotions and experiences for such a young boy are palpable. By the end of the book he is 10 years old and suffering the effects of warfare. However, with all the losses young Sasha endures, there is a positive ending, and the camel Tolstoy is a delightful character. Much of it is sadly reminiscent of what is currently happening in these European countries. It is a well researched and written historical work of fiction.

[Suzie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about the darkness of war, but the light which can shine through even through the extreme hardships. The main character of 6 year old Sasha is inspired by a real life boy who lost his family and home in WWII and became an adopted member of a Russian army unit. This story is brutal in reality of war, yet tender in the strength of the relationships portrayed. The title is perfect, and I love the way each section is begun by a list of seemingly randomised items (this will make sense when you read the book). I truly loved this book, and was bought to tears with its tenderness.

[Honest Book Guy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s like the author flipped through The Book Thief and went eureka! I can do this, I’ll just have my character steal books more things. Then in shopping list style start using all these things to provide tedious flashbacks.

All the characters feel like caricatures, the writing device feels forced and the while thing is as stiff as a piece of cardboard.

Also, are we all tiptoeing around the fact that this book - in the most unfortunate turn of recent historical events, though not the fault of the author or publisher - is pro Russian army?

[Kaiera Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much 😭💗 I read it the first time a couple years ago and listened to it as an audio book with my dad while driving. The writing is so beautiful and no matter who you are and what you read I will recommend this to you. Sasha is such an adorable character and even tho this is just a BOOK I’m smiling at every second thing he says 😭 My book slump is hitting real hard right now, I have read 4 pages of a real book over the last 2ish months 😟 so this is all I have “read” recently and it’s just so beautiful, please read it 💗💗

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Russian inspired young persons novel was moving, emotional and unique. Hearing from the perspective of a 7 year old boy in WWII and his journey throughout was perfection. Full review on melreviewsherbooks.com

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my darling Year 7s recommended me this book and because we’re birthday twins as well, I may be bias with this review ;).
I absolutely adored this, it was an easy to read historical fiction that was so raw about what happened in WWII. It was interesting to also read from a Russian perspective with this book too. I am so glad that I had this recommended to me!

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is on the new English curriculum for Stage 3 students. It’s a beautifully written bittersweet novel set in Russia in WW2, and is based on a true story. It made me cry and I think the parallels with the world today are all too obvious.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful in every way possible, it made me cry, laugh and smile. While reading this book it felt like I was really there in ww2, watching the little solider’s life unravel. Truely beautiful love this book so much!!