CITY OF THIEVES

Benioff, David. City of Thieves. U.S.A.. Thorndike Press. 2008.

Annotation: To avoid execution in WWII Russia as a result of war-time crimes, two teens are given one mission that requires a dangerous quest behind German lines.

Rejection: David Benioff's City of Thieves starts rather slowly but erupts into an adventorous tale through the icy Russian urban and rural scapes. This is a solid YA novel with a historically important backdrop. I enjoyed the historical information that was slipped quietly into the story of young Lev and Kolya and their government imposed mission as they are forced to grow up quickly or die. Benioff uses graphic language and a sly sense of humor that endears the reader to even the shadiest of characters. If I had not already made my Mock-Printz nomination I would eagerly send City of Thieves to the top of the list.