Anita Deyneka

This is a fictional story of a Christian family in communist Soviet Union (Russia). Tanya and her family do not have a Bible. When Tanya asks a soldier who visits a secret church meeting for help finding a Bible, her family is quite worried; but everything works out in the end. The short book is well written, with several pen and ink illustrations. I found that it worked well as a read aloud, keeping the interest of my five, six, and eight year olds as I read several chapters at a time. Historically, this is an important story about religious persecution in other countries that give valuable insight to Christian children in free countries and should be back in print. A related book recently published is Children of the Storm, an autobiography of Natasha Vins, a pastor's daughter who grew up during the same time period.… (meer)

The Christians in Barnual, Siberia, have fought for their lives and their faith in a harsh land. This book chronicles twelve arduous years in the life of a single congregation - years of harassment and pressure from the Soviet authorities, but also years of triumph through the power and protection of God. Never has the story of Christianity in this part of the world been told in such detail. Peter and Anita Deyneka, who have traveled extensively in the Soviet Union, have drawn upon primary sources of information. A Song in Siberia is a modern documentary of how Christ builds his church so strongly that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.… (meer)