Victoria Lederman: Stories from the Back Row. Hardcover

The two novellas included in this collection have long held a place of honor on bookshelves—both in homes and in libraries. And it's no wonder! Victoria Lederman has a brilliant talent for describing the inner lives of her characters and guiding them toward the best way out of any situation. Previously, both works were published as separate books. We prepared this new edition at the request of our readers. Eleven! or Rom-com in Class 5-D: Egor and Nikita are ready for anything for the sake of love—their first love! Buying a huge bouquet of flowers with their saved-up money, showering "the one and only" with gifts, miraculously securing a ticket to the concert she's been dreaming of—no problem! The only issue is that the friends have fallen for the same girl—the new girl in class 5-D, Angelina. And forget tickets and flowers: which of them is ready to risk their life for their beloved, and what is more valuable—love or male friendship? It doesn't matter that they are only eleven: these feelings are as real as it gets! And the unconventional personality of the object of their affection only proves that everything in this life can be quite adult, and it's not easy at all. Victoria Lederman’s new book is written in the form of alternating monologues from the three main characters. The narrative switches between the musings of Angelina, who craves attention and skillfully manipulates her classmates, the inner turmoil of the good-natured troublemaker Egor, and the anxieties of the self-reflective "nerd" Nikita. The reader is given a rare opportunity in children's literature to understand and feel each character "from the inside" rather than identifying with just one. Following the evolution of Egor, Nikita, and Angelina, and their thoughts and feelings, is a fascinating and moving experience! An eternal plot for adult literature and an unusual one for children's literature—the love triangle—is experienced by its eleven-year-old participants just as intensely as it would be at a later age. Through the recognizable realities of our day—supermarkets, social networks, computer games—details emerge that have migrated from children's classics: boyish heroism, camaraderie, and character forged page by page. And this story about modern fifth-graders suddenly becomes a bridge to internal growth and maturation. No Lessons Today!: What unites timid first-graders with veterans from fourth grade "B"? Incorrigible troublemakers with solid B-students? Those whose relatives participate in every holiday with those whose mom and dad don't even come to parent-teacher meetings? They are all thrilled by the phrase "No lessons today!"—even those who love to study! Words like a spell, words like a call to action! The stories in Victoria Lederman's collection "No Lessons Today!" are dedicated to primary school students, from first to fourth grade. These children still have much to learn: patience and discipline, the ability to stand up for themselves, and diplomacy. And unpleasant surprises are already raining down on them! For instance, the favorite French teacher—the one who never gives homework or grades—is replaced by a strict and demanding one. Or the despicable Miron Solomatin invents an offensive nickname for you, "Plushka" (Dumpling), simply because you didn't let him copy your work. Do you want to go to school when things like that happen? You just want to scream at the top of your lungs: "No lessons toda-a-ay!"

Author: Victoria Lederman

Illustrations: Artem Sumenkov

Pages: 240 (offset). Hardcover

Dimensions: 200x140x20 mm