russia

As a Jew living in Kishinev, Russia, in 1903, Rachel has seen a lot of dark times. She doesn't want the society standard life of a mother and wife. She would much rather be a writer. When her Christian friend Mikhail is murdered, everything turns on the Jews--the Christian community becomes outspokenly violent and anti-Semitic. Only her friendship with and growing love for Sergei, a Christian, keeps Rachel's hopes alive.

Rachel ignores her parents' wishes and persuades her great-grandmother to relate the story of her escape from czarist Russia.

Contains photographic reproductions of the artist's work and presents critical commentary on the artist and his work.

With the help of some extraordinary comrades that he meets on the way, a Simpleton fulfills the King's outlandish requests and wins the hand of the Princess.

Two lazy bears go to great lengths to avoid work, especially around the house.

Chronicles the troubled life of the nineteenth-century Russian composer. Includes sidebars about such topics as serfs, Leo Tolstoy, and the invention of the phonograph.

Discusses the life and work of the artist Chagall, from his birth in Russia to his death at the age of ninety-seven.

A young boy in turn-of-the-century rural Russia learns that appearances are often deceiving after he steals and then tries to return a dreidel to the traveling peddler Shnook.

In nineteenth-century Russia, the wife of an important government official loses her family and social status when she chooses the love of Count Vronsky over a passionless marriage.