Synopses & Reviews
Introduction
"Angel on the Square" is an elegant and insightful novel about an aristocratic girl s experience of the Russian Revolution. As the daughter of one of the Empress s ladies-in-waiting, young Katya is sheltered from much of Russia s turmoil. Her coming-of-age in the shadow of one of history s darkest times is a political and personal awakening that is at once enlightening and universal.
Discussion Questions At the beginning of the book, Katya and Misha have very different opinions about what is happening in Russia. Can you describe these differences? What do you think makes each so certain that their idea is right?
Misha is certain that most Russians are not happy. Why does he believe this? Are there any indications in the text that this is the case?
What is your opinion of the Tzar and Empress? How well do you think they performed as rulers? Do you think they could have done something to have avoided the revolution?
What is significant about the angel on the square?
What are your impressions of Rasputin? Was the Empress wrong to seek his counsel? Do you think he helped or harmed the country?
On page 172, Mama tells Katya, The country may be better off
but when it takes a murder to save a country, nothing will save it. What do you think she means?
As a result of the war, how has Katya changed emotionally and intellectually? How does she see her future?
How has the ordeal of fighting in a war and witnessing the revolution changed the way Misha sees the future of Russia?
Katya and Misha s opinions about Russian politics had been so different. Has that changed by the end of thenovel? How and why?
About the author
Gloria Whelan is a poet and the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including "Homeless Bird," for which she was awarded the National Book Award for Young People s Literature, "Miranda s Last Stand," and "The Island Trilogy." She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.
Synopsis
It is a golden time for the aristocracy of St. Petersburg in the fall of 1914. The daughter of a lady-in-waiting, Katya Ivanova is safe behind palace walls. She takes her vacations on the imperial yacht and her tea with the Tsar's daughters. The royal family feels like her own.
But outside the palace, a devastating war sweeps through Europe, and deep unrest takes root in Russia. As the flame of revolution ignites in a country where the rich have always ruled, Katya's once-certain future dissolves.
National Book Award-winning author Gloria Whelan transports readers to a crumbling, war-torn Russia, where one young woman, growing up in the shadow of a revolution, must take her future into her own hands.
Synopsis
In 1914 St. Petersburg, Katya Ivanova is safe behind palace walls; her mother is a lady-in-waiting for the Empress. But outside, war is sweeping through Europe, and as the flame of revolution ignites in a country where the rich have always ruled, Katya finds herself forced to take her future into her own hands. New York Times best-selling author Gloria Whelan transports readers through spare language and luminescent detail to the Russian revolution, one of history's most radical times.
About the Author
Gloria Whelan is a distinguished poet and award-winning author. She has written many books for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Angel on the Square; Return To the Island; Once on this Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell To the Island; Miranda's Last Stand; and The Indian School Ms. Whelan lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.