Five-year old Annie spends a month in Moscow with her parents, doctors who are working there in a hospital. When she first arrives, everything is unfamiliar – even the alphabet. Annie tries to cope with the unwelcome changes by withdrawing, but soon makes friends with Anya, a Russian girl at her daycare. Anya helps her learn Russian, and soon Annie is enjoying her new home. A touching portrayal of a child’s culture shock, especially when Annie comforts herself when overwhelmed with the Cyrillic writing around her by singing the alphabet song loudly to herself.
Reading level: age 6-9 years