Saving Zasha - Hardcover

Barrow, Randi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545206324 ISBN 13: 9780545206327

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2011

Synopsis

In post WWII Russia, one boy dares to save an entire race of outlawed dogs -- the German shepherd!

World War II has just ended when thirteen-year-old Mikhail finds a dying man and his German shepherd, Zasha, in the woods. It's dangerous -- some say traitorous -- to own a German dog after Germany attacked Russia, so Mikhail must keep Zasha a secret to keep her alive.

But Mikhail's rival, Katia, is determined to find the dog she is sure he's hiding. At the same time, a soldier named Dimitri is breeding a new Russian dog at a nearby farm. So many dogs were lost in combat, to starvation, and in the slaughter of German dogs that the country is in dire need of every kind of dog.

About this title

About the Author

Randi Barrow is an attorney and amateur historian, who has also published adult nonfiction. When dogs entered her life a dozen years ago, the effect was profound. SAVING ZASHA, her first children’s book, was inspired and informed by her canine friends. Now a full-time writer, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, musician/composer Arthur Barrow, and their Chihuahua mix companion, Manuel.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Saving Zasha

"Maybe the soldier you found wasn't alone. Or he told you something important before he died. Or he still had his dog with him. His German dog," Katia said.

"He did tell us something," I agreed. "He told us the war is over."

"I think his dog is still around here, and I'm going to find it."

"And then what?" I laughed, pushing down every fearful feeling that bubbled up in me.

"Bring him to justice."

"What-a trial? Do you have a good dog translator?"

"Don't be stupid. He'll be treated like all other German shepherds. He'll be killed."

"What a noble goal-to kill an innocent animal." There was an edge in my voice now as I pictured Zasha and the harm that could befall her. "How can you pretend to love animals-and talk to your horse like he understands you-and even think of taking the life of a dog?"

"Those dogs were our enemy, too. They trained them to hunt people and to kill."

"All armies did that with dogs. So did we."

When she reached the end of the path before it wound around the rocky outcropping, she glanced around once more before mounting her horse. As she gave it a kick in its sides with her heels she said, "It's not only dogs who can sniff out what's hidden."

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0545206324
• ISBN 13: 9780545206327
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 240