Saving Zasha
Welcome to Scholastic Booktalks where we recommend brand new Scholastic books that we think you will love. Today's booktalk is: Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow.
It's 1945, and even though World War II has ended, there is still bad blood between Germans and Russians. Many Russians even believe that owning a German Shepherd dog is the same as being a traitor to Russia. If you're caught with a German Shepherd you could be sent to a labor camps and never seen again.
One day, while walking through the forest, Mikhail is shocked to stumble upon a badly injured man and his German Shepherd. After bringing the dog, called Zasha, and the man back to his house, Mikhail recognizes what a special dog she is. She might be the only German Shepherd in all of Russia!
When Zasha's owner dies, Mikhail is determined to keep Zasha at all costs. There are dangerous men who steal dogs from their owners and sell them to the highest bidder. And there are also those who kill German Shepherds for revenge. But that will never happen to Zasha! Mikhail and his family find the perfect hiding spot for her and train her not to bark in case unwelcome visitors come to their house.
But what happens when Mikhail's nosy classmate Katia comes to their house? She thinks of herself as a reporter and has come to the conclusion that Mikhail and his family own a dog. Will Katia inform the town and the police about Zasha's existence?
If you own a dog, or hope to have one someday, read the inspirational tale of Mikhail and his dog in Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow.
—Jen, Scholastic Booktalker
what is the book about
Comment #1 | Posted by: jimmy123456 on February 23, 2011 at 01:56 PM
i want to read the book soo badly
Comment #2 | Posted by: celine on February 23, 2011 at 04:58 PM
I saw that in my class book order! It looks really good, and I love the name Zasha.
Comment #3 | Posted by: GryffindorWolf on February 23, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Sounds cool!!!
Comment #4 | Posted by: HermioneHJG on February 23, 2011 at 05:37 PM
This sounds like a good book. It sounds find of suspenseful, but with animals. I like both of these things, so this sounds like a book I will really enjoy.
Comment #5 | Posted by: owlgirl on February 23, 2011 at 07:48 PM
ya what is this book about couse i never read this befor could someone tell me please
Comment #6 | Posted by: jaja0123456789 on February 24, 2011 at 05:31 PM
SWEET!!!! this looks like a REALLY good book i want to read it!!!
Comment #7 | Posted by: kk_lolz123 on February 24, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Zasha isn't a russian name. I'm russian, so I know. It sounds interesting though, and Katia sounds like a smart girl.
Wonder if someone translated this book into russian.
Comment #8 | Posted by: Masha on February 24, 2011 at 09:14 PM
I just got this book from our book fair, and it is REALLY good. It is just one surprise after another. I couldn't put the book down. THIS BOOK IS REALLY GOOD!
Comment #9 | Posted by: owlgirl on February 25, 2011 at 08:16 AM
This book is about the aftermath of WWII in Russia. The russians dislike anything that has to do with Germany, and that includes German Shepards. When Mikhail and his family find a german shepard, they know they must hide it, otherwise the dog could be shot. This story is basically the story of a family and a very special dog.
Comment #10 | Posted by: owlgirl on February 25, 2011 at 05:10 PM
heyy i love your questions its hilareous
Comment #11 | Posted by: Amanda on February 25, 2011 at 05:19 PM
I think I will enjoy reading this boook. It sounds interesting with a mystery and a little suspense and action though a little sad. Thank you to the person that put Saving Zasha on the blog. People will love this book.
Comment #12 | Posted by: saltlife782 on February 27, 2011 at 10:07 AM
looks like a really good book so wanna read it......
Comment #13 | Posted by: lil miz diva on March 01, 2011 at 04:50 PM
LOOKS BETTER THAN JERKY AND THATS SAYIN A LOT!
Comment #14 | Posted by: MANLYMAN101 on March 04, 2011 at 04:13 PM
I want to read this book!
Comment #15 | Posted by: Sophia on March 04, 2011 at 09:46 PM
I don't really read books with dogs in them becuase the dog usally dies in the end. :P
Comment #16 | Posted by: Carolina on March 15, 2011 at 09:32 PM
almost everyone in my class has zasha its also a guided reading book my teacher got a bunch of free copies of it in the december book orders we also got to pick out a free book too isnt schoolastic and schoolastic bookorders awsome lol out
Comment #17 | Posted by: kaya on March 16, 2011 at 09:06 PM
i saw this at the bookfair!i was going to buy it,but i just rented it out from the library
Comment #18 | Posted by: Stargirl123456 on April 02, 2011 at 10:36 PM
i hahe this book i love it
Comment #19 | Posted by: brian on April 03, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I THINK THIS BOOK LOOKS AWSOME AND IF WE WOULD GET IT IN THE LIBRARY I WILL CHECK IT OUT
Comment #20 | Posted by: g on April 04, 2011 at 01:29 PM
I think that this book looks worth reading. I saw it at my school's book fair but didn't think of buying it. I might check it out of the library instead.
Comment #21 | Posted by: Sarah on April 07, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Wow. I want to rad this book. I have a German Shepherd. She's so pretty and one smart dog. I like reading about other dogs.
Comment #22 | Posted by: orangeocean24 on April 26, 2011 at 05:08 PM
i bet this book is really great just from the looks of it
Comment #23 | Posted by: sapphirenight4 on July 31, 2011 at 06:04 PM
I have the book at my house and I am reading it at home and is sad to read the decrepition and you learn what happened back then during the war which is sad to learn that the war is keeping the boy and the dog from being friends.Omg the sadest thing that happens in the story is that the dog and the boy are not able to be friends because of the war that they are in and the dog is hurt and he has to save sasha and the boy is not the supose to because sasha is a dog that is on the other side of the people on the war.
Comment #24 | Posted by: amethystcat55 on February 05, 2012 at 11:00 AM
this book is amazing
Comment #25 | Posted by: tyler on April 25, 2013 at 05:17 PM