Saving Zasha - Randi Barrow

So many dogs were lost in combat, from starvation, from slaughter. Can a single 13 year old boy save an entire race of outlawed dogs?

Saving Zasha written by the brilliant Randi Barrow, tells of Mikhail's inspirational journey to save the last German Shepherd in Russia, Zasha.

In saving his best friend, Mikhail will face some of life's hardest lessons, hate, forgiveness, hope and love. It's dangerous to own a German dog after Germany attacked Russia, so Mikhail and his family must keep Zasha a secret in order to keep her alive.

Mikhail is thirteen years old and already taking on the world just like his father. Mikhail’s father was sent to war and Mikhail and his family haven’t heard from him since. Mikhail looks extremely like his father but his brother and sister often argue that they have the personality of him or other features. Mikhail is a brave boy and does whatever it takes to protect Zasha.

The story is partly based on fact about the time after World War II. It includes the struggles of the Russians after Germany had attacked and the mass loss of dogs. However, some Russians want everything German gone, and that includes dogs. Will the war ever end? Will people ever forgive and forget?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Saving Zasha. It was an easy read but with such complicated concepts. It was very touching and gave an insight to what it would have been like living in times of war, and having family members off fighting in the war. It was an inspiring book with real problems and yet a fairy-tale happy ending.