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16th out of 69 books
—
40 voters
Angel on the Square (St. Petersburg series #1)
The Barnes & Noble Review
Author Gloria Whelan is known for her penchant for historical fiction and foreign lands. The National Book Award-winning, Homeless Bird, told of the strife endured by a 13-year-old girl in India, and Return to the Island told of another girl's romantic quandaries in the 1800s.
Angel on the Square introduces readers to Katya Ivanova, a 13-year-ol...more
Author Gloria Whelan is known for her penchant for historical fiction and foreign lands. The National Book Award-winning, Homeless Bird, told of the strife endured by a 13-year-old girl in India, and Return to the Island told of another girl's romantic quandaries in the 1800s.
Angel on the Square introduces readers to Katya Ivanova, a 13-year-ol...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
January 7th 2003
by HarperCollins
(first published September 1st 2001)
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The series is so engaging that you hardly realize how much you are learning about Russian history in the process. The books are probably aimed at the middle-school and up read-alone crowd; however, I read this book aloud when my children were still in elementary school. The historical themes definitely warrant (and encourage) discussion and the real-life tragedy may be too intense for some kids.
The first book, Angel on the Square, follows a girl whose mother becomes a lady-in-waiting to the last...more
The first book, Angel on the Square, follows a girl whose mother becomes a lady-in-waiting to the last...more
Continuing my journey to study Russian history, I found this book on one of my shelves and spent a pleasant rainy day reading this well written historical novel.
Combining fact with fiction, Angel on the Square is wonderful for many reasons, primarily because it does just what historical fiction should do, ie it opens the door to a glimpse of history and wets the appetite to search for more knowledge about the subject.
Twelve year old Katya Ivanova lived a life of splendor behind guilded palace wa...more
Combining fact with fiction, Angel on the Square is wonderful for many reasons, primarily because it does just what historical fiction should do, ie it opens the door to a glimpse of history and wets the appetite to search for more knowledge about the subject.
Twelve year old Katya Ivanova lived a life of splendor behind guilded palace wa...more
How do you describe the magnetism some books have when you're half-asleep at eleven p.m. looking for something to read? This book appeared on my bedside table one day, probably rescued from 10-year-old sister and 6-year-old brother's perpetual room cleaning, and somehow "I'll read a page or two" turned into the whole book. Go figure.
It's a book we were supposed to study in our homeschool group one summer, only I moved. Somehow I still ended up with a copy, and with my friends back at my old home...more
It's a book we were supposed to study in our homeschool group one summer, only I moved. Somehow I still ended up with a copy, and with my friends back at my old home...more
Wow. Just wow!
My teacher assigned this book to us and I confess, I would not have picked up this book if it hadn't been for him. We've all heard many times that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but there's this part of me that just dies when I see a great book with a fantastic plot yet donned in such a bland cover.
This isn't the type of book that hooks you in from the beginning. The main character being an ignorant, slightly contemptuous child didn't help that either. But it IS one of thos...more
My teacher assigned this book to us and I confess, I would not have picked up this book if it hadn't been for him. We've all heard many times that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover but there's this part of me that just dies when I see a great book with a fantastic plot yet donned in such a bland cover.
This isn't the type of book that hooks you in from the beginning. The main character being an ignorant, slightly contemptuous child didn't help that either. But it IS one of thos...more
I picked this book up because I really liked Homeless Bird, another book by the same author. This is a junior historical fiction book set in Russia during the time of the revolution. The main character, Katya, is born into an aristocratic family and is fiercely loyal to the Romanov family. Her opinion of them begins to be torn as she has opportunities to see how the majority of the Russian citizens live. Even though I know the main historical events of this period, the fictional characters' live...more
"Angel on the Square" is an incredibely good book. It takes place in 1913-1918, and Katya Ivanovna is a 13 year old girl who is the daughter of an aristocrat. Her life changes when her mother is accepted as a Lady-in-Waiting to the Empress of Russia, Tsarina Alexandra. Katya and her mother move into the palace with the Imperial Family, which consists of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, Grand Duchess Olga, Grand Duchess Tatiana, Grand Duchess Maria, Grand Duchess Anastasia, and Tsarevich Alex...more
This book was something different, kind of a treat for me, because it’s about World War I – not my comfort zone – but also about Russia, which is something I’ve been interested in lately.
It’s meant for children, as per usual, but the shallowness of this book was not a problem for me, really. I felt like the length was suitable for the story. I would’ve liked a little more of a follow up – checking in on Misha, especially, because he was so important to Katya, and, thus, to you as the reader. Bu...more
It’s meant for children, as per usual, but the shallowness of this book was not a problem for me, really. I felt like the length was suitable for the story. I would’ve liked a little more of a follow up – checking in on Misha, especially, because he was so important to Katya, and, thus, to you as the reader. Bu...more
2 likes · like · see review
This is the first Whelan book I read--and I loved it. I enjoy young adult fiction. In this book and all others I've read--she creates strong female protagonists who overcome great adversity. They are dynamic, growing from beginning to end. Another feature of Whelan's writing is authenticity regarding setting, time frame, history, and culture. One aspect of the last which I very much enjoy is her use of words in the language of the land (for example, in this, as well as the successive books about...more
I really liked the story. It's a great way to present so much history. I read this for a book project and I was really surprised by how good it was. The cover looks like some sort of art my grandmother would have in her Russian art museum of a house, so I didn't really know what to expect besides something I wouldn't really like. Russia was not something I was super interested in before I started this. Now I'm really curious about that time period in Russia, particularly about the Romanovs. I th...more
Apr 29, 2013
Audrey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-as-a-child,
young-adult-fiction,
series,
russia,
around-the-world,
listened-on-audio,
1910s,
fiction,
wwi
This is another effortlessly engaging piece of historical fiction by one of my favorite young adult authors. Whelan has such a talent for bringing together time, place, characters, and thought-provoking content in a way that is both richly informative and easy to read.
The main focus of this book is not so much the characters, but Russia itself during this pivotal time in its history. Through the eyes of Katya, it covers the many different sides of what led to the downfall of the imperial regime...more
The main focus of this book is not so much the characters, but Russia itself during this pivotal time in its history. Through the eyes of Katya, it covers the many different sides of what led to the downfall of the imperial regime...more
Feb 28, 2010
Rebecca
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc,
historical-fiction
Wealthy, twelve-year-old Katya Ivanova and her mother have always lived a luxurious life in their mansion in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. They spend their summers on their country estate, The Oaks, and Katya's mother is a close friend of Empress Alexandra. When the Empress invites Katya's mother to come live in the palace as a lady-in-waiting and to bring Katya along to be a companion to her youngest daughter, Anastasia, Katya is thrilled. She and Anastasia, or Stana as she is called, bec...more
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Feb 23, 2009
Ciarra fields
is currently reading it
I'm not really far into my book yet i think it is a pretty good book so far. Well my book is about emporers and rulers of kingdoms and i dont really thgink it goes into a lot of detail about some of the characters but other than that itg is an aweesome book. I would oly suggest it to people who dont like detail because it doesnt have much in it. Also, if you like kingdoms/palaces and snobby annoying people to go along with it than this is the perfect book for you.
Angel on the Square introduces readers to Katya Ivanova, a 13-year-old living in St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution. Her mother is a lady-in-waiting to the Empress, and Katya's life in the imperial palace is lush -- and safe. The rest of Russia, however, is in turmoil as revolutionary ideas inflame the populace, and Katya is torn. She initially does not want to hear of fighting and disruption, but she slowly begins to understand the pleas of the poor. Katya begins to think outside the...more
BEST. BOOK. EVER.
At least next to all my other books that I've read so far. I'm really glad I had a chance to read this book, although it was since I was in middle school. Being a girl of that time I was never interested in anything that involves History. But Angel on the Square was one of those exception. And believe me when I say that because good historical books are so hard to find.
At least next to all my other books that I've read so far. I'm really glad I had a chance to read this book, although it was since I was in middle school. Being a girl of that time I was never interested in anything that involves History. But Angel on the Square was one of those exception. And believe me when I say that because good historical books are so hard to find.
This book has been out for awhile an each time I shelf it I have wanted to read it. It was a wonderfully written historical fiction.
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. The reader gets the feel of what it was like to live through that harsh time in history.
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. The reader gets the feel of what it was like to live through that harsh time in history.
My family really likes Whelan's other book, "Homeless Bird." This one wasn't as good as Homeless Bird, but was still enjoyable. It's about an aristocrat girl and friend of the royal family whose life changes during the Russian overthrow of the royal family. My 8-year-old daughter loved it. It's appropriate for all ages, although maybe a little unsettling or sad for sensitive young readers.
Well. It was interesting learning about the years immediately preceding Lenin - I never heard of Kerensky and will investigate wikipedia et al a bit. Probably a good book for young fans of historical fiction, but I'm neither, so though I'm glad I read it, I'm glad it's over. Um, specifically, it was exhausting to read of all the struggles, and the characters never fully resonated with me, but all the details of life, culture, and history were fascinating and not boggy.
ETA - upon further investig...more
ETA - upon further investig...more
I read it for Battle of the Books. I liked Homeless Bird by her better. This takes place around the time of the Russian revolution. It would be a good recommendation for kids who enjoy historical fiction. The story has some dimension within the characters, but is a pretty simple story in general. It would provide a good character study because the main character is very dynamic.
This is a perfect book for young people studying the Russian revolution, or anyone who is curious about this time period (1913-1918), or for adults who have forgotten what they learned in world history! Since it is written for children, it is easy to understand and makes history live! Book is well written, facts have been researched, and characters are believable.
My daughter had to read this in her English class and she told me to read it as well. It was pretty good -- it gives a good idea of what happened in Russia during the revolution. I have read a lot of books about that time period, but for students who have no idea, this was a good introduction and a great way to bring that period to life.
This is one of my favorite books! Going from Rich and slightly spoiled to living a new different kind of life, full of sadness, adventure and love for everyone this is an awesome read. I love the title and what it has to do with the book. I can't write everything I love about this book here so you just need to read it!
I absolutely loved this book. It's about a girl named Katya, whose mother is a lady-in-waiting for the Empress. [This takes place in Russia]
Katya is special companion to the princess Anastasia. I found this book very interesting and intriguing.
I would strongly recommend this to people over or at the age of ten.
Katya is special companion to the princess Anastasia. I found this book very interesting and intriguing.
I would strongly recommend this to people over or at the age of ten.
Russian historical fiction. Young aristocrat girl is pulled into Tsar's family circle through her mother's connections and also becomes a witness to peasant struggles through another family member. Who will she be loyal to? She see's people close their eyes to reality and choose not to be troubled with the problems.
I found that the end of tsarist Russia really came to life for me with this book. This is a difficult and sensitive subject that could have made this book inapropriate for children. I was impressed with the discretion Gloria Whelan used with the topic without making it seem dull or watered down.
Read this for a Mother-daughter book club...made me totally want to study Russian history...took me back to my trip to Russia...got out my scrapbook and realized I had stood in the very spots the book told about...really fun read for any age...esp if you love historical fiction!!
This is a great young adult historical fiction novel. Whelan does a fantastic job of portraying so many important ideas about the Russian Revolution: the contrast between the Tsar and his family personally and politically, the tension between the aristocrats and peasants, the desire of the wealthy to close their eyes to poverty and how that inspired (and really, in many ways, forced) the people to revolt. The characters are well-developed and the writing is good, as well.
I remember this book from several years ago, when I was still in elementary school. I really liked the design and "feel" of this book, but, sadly, I never actually finished it. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on another copy of it.
Based on the Bolshevik uprising against the Tsar, this book really gives you a feel for life in that time period. I read this for a history class so if you are studying WW1 this is a pretty good book to red just for side info.
I started with the second book in the series, but very much enjoyed this first book. I think any of the three I have read so far can be read as a stand-alone, but they are so good you naturally want to read all of them.
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Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Friutlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on this Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods...more
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“It is hard to give up what you know for what you don’t know.”
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6 people liked it
“I thought I understood what was best. I knew too little and believed too soon.”
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Feb 01, 2010 09:47am