When Harrison, the son of American diplomats, lands in Moscow at the height of the Cold War, he knows three things.
His passport will keep him safe. His daydreams will keep him company. His music will keep him sane.
But everything he knows is about to change.
His father has disappeared. His mother is keeping secrets. And his good friend Prudence, the fearless daughter of foreign correspondents, leads him on a wild chase across the city in pursuit of a mysterious stranger.
As they race to find a priceless record in a place where rock is banned, Harrison and Prudence tangle with desperate spies and ruthless gangsters. Forced to navigate the dark underworld of a communist state, they risk everything — and discover a web of secrets that leads to the most dangerous game of all.
Chock full of suspense and propelled by a grand tale of unrequited love, Back in the USSR will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the emotional, uplifting ending.
If you enjoyed Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity, or Ruta Sepetys's I Must Betray You, you'll love Back in the USSR.
Semi Finalist
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Back in the USSR is a YA thriller infused with mystery and tension. Readers will be easily sucked into Harrison’s life while on Christmas break visiting his diplomat parents based in Moscow during the Cold War. Joyce displays masterful control over the narrative, beautifully weaving in a thread connected to the Beatles' White Album.
Prose: Joyce capably evokes a noir atmosphere, while bringing the Moscow setting vividly to life. The prose is clear, sharp, and expertly paced.
Originality: The story of a diplomat’s son could have taken a very familiar turn, but this novel remains fresh, poised, and multilayered from beginning to end.
Character/Execution: The author fills the story with interesting, complex characters. Fourteen-year-old Harrison George, the son of diplomats, is mature and independent, yet relatable. His friend Prudence is a spunky and lively girl who serves as a sidekick but a full character in her own right. Character development fluidly blends with a riveting storyline, never disappointing readers.
Date Submitted: April 04, 2023
