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READING GUIDE

Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief

by Katrina Nannestad · A story of courage and kindness in wartime

About the book

Set in the ruined city of Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, during the Second World War, Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief follows a young boy whose life is turned upside down by conflict. The story is told with warmth and tenderness, even as it explores the hardships of war. Your child will be drawn into a world where courage and kindness shine through the darkest times.

Why kids love it

This book offers a gentle yet honest introduction to the effects of war on ordinary people, seen through a child's eyes. It celebrates resilience, friendship, and the small acts of humanity that can bloom in terrible circumstances. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of empathy and the importance of holding onto hope.

Step into the world of Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief

The Hospital Courtyard

A quiet courtyard beside the hospital, swept clean every morning. A single sunflower grows against the wall, facing the sun as if nothing in the world were wrong. The wide Volga is not far away.

The Hospital Ward

A clean, busy ward where nurses move quietly between the beds. Kindness here is a medicine all its own, and the city that would not fall is slowly learning to smile again.

The Barracks

A long room of cots and kit bags, where soldiers rest between duties. A battered samovar steams in the corner — tea, the soldier's small comfort.

Sample questions

Here is the kind of thinking Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief asks for — drawn from the actual quiz:

  1. Sasha is a young Russian boy at the centre of the story.

    Sasha's experience shapes the novel's story of survival and hope.

  2. Who becomes a father figure to Sasha in the regiment?

    Major Fyodor Gagarin, known as Papa Scruff, cares for Sasha.

  3. Nurse Irena helps care for Sasha in hospital.

    Nurse Irena supports Sasha as he begins to recover.

Words to know

orphan
A child whose parents have died.
refuge
A safe place where you are protected from danger.
rations
Small amounts of food that are given out when there is not much available.
comrade
A friend or companion, especially someone who shares your experiences.
rubble
Broken pieces of stone and brick left after a building has been destroyed.
courage
The ability to be brave when you are scared or facing something difficult.
kindness
Being friendly, generous, and considerate to others.
survive
To continue to live even though something dangerous or difficult has happened.

Talk about it

  1. How does the main character show courage in the story? Can you think of a time when you had to be brave?

  2. What acts of kindness do different characters show towards each other, and why are they important?

  3. The story is set in a city that has been destroyed by war. How do you think the setting affects the characters' feelings and actions?

  4. If you were in the main character's place, what would you miss most about your home and family?

  5. The title includes the words 'Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief'. Why do you think the author chose these words? What might each one represent?

  6. How do the characters find hope and friendship even when things are very hard?

Play the full quiz

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