About This Book
"The Star of Kazan" is a rich, historical mystery following Annika, a twelve-year-old foundling in early 20th-century Vienna. Raised by loving maids and professors, Annika longs to know her origins. Her world is turned upside down when a glamorous woman appears, claiming to be her aristocratic birth mother and taking her to a decaying German estate. As Annika navigates this new, unsettling life, she uncovers a web of deception involving a valuable inheritance and must rely on her courage and the loyalty of her true friends to uncover the truth about her past and find where she truly belongs. This book explores themes of identity, family, and justice against a vivid historical backdrop, perfect for readers who enjoy immersive stories with strong characters and a satisfying resolution.
After twelve-year-old Annika, a foundling living in late nineteenth-century Vienna, inherits a trunk of costume jewelry, a woman claiming to be her aristocratic mother arrives and takes her to live in a strangely decrepit mansion in Germany.
Concepts
Self-Confidence & IdentityLove & FamilyFriendship & LoyaltyJustice & FairnessGood vs. EvilResilience & PerseveranceEmpathy & KindnessCuriosity & WonderLoneliness & BelongingFear & BraveryAnger & FrustrationBeing DifferentMaking FriendsCultural IdentitySibling RivalryFamily & SiblingsFriendship & SocialMysteryHorsesDogsSchool Life
abandonment
peril_danger
animal_harm
bullying
Scary Scenes
illness
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Annika's idea of family change throughout the story?
2
What qualities make a "true" family, according to this book?
3
Discuss the different types of courage shown by Annika, Pauline, Stefan, and Zed.
4
How do the historical setting and details make the story more interesting?
5
What lessons can we learn about trust and deception from Annika's experiences?
External Reviews
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