A Conversation with Candace Fleming

In the world of young adult literature, some of today’s best and most powerful stories are being told by authors of nonfiction. Candace Fleming is one of those authors. Her newest book, The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia, is both a portrait of Russia’s last royal family and a look at the causes of revolution. It’s an examination of the past, and it’s a cautionary tale that poses questions about our current world: How is today’s wealth gap the same or different from the wealth gap in Tsarist Russia? How should political leaders respond in the face of civic unrest? How are the fates of the powerful and the powerless intertwined?

But there’s more than politics and history here. When you read The Family Romanov, you’ll encounter complex characters, evocative settings, and page-turning suspense. Tune in to hear Candace Fleming discuss the origins of The Family Romanov, research as a process of questioning, and how authors of nonfiction are pushing the envelope in books for today’s teens.

After listening, be sure to print out this list of recommended titles to take with you to your local library or bookseller.

Books featured in this episode:

• The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia (Schwartz & Wade, 2014)