City of Thieves by David Benioff

Benioff, D. (2008). City of thieves. New York: Viking.
ISBN-10 0452295297
ISBN-13 978-0452295292
258 pgs
Format: Book
Genre: War/Conflict
Classification: Fition
Age level: Adult

Reader's annotation
This moving story of an unlikely friendship between two teenage boys is set during the siege of St. Petersburg during World War II.

Summary
This is a story of two very different young men set on a impossible task in war torn Soviet Leningrad during World War II; they have a week to deliver a dozen eggs for the wedding cake of the daughter of an Army officer in a much depleted city. Lev is small, Jewish and inexperienced, while the soldier Koyla is handsome and cocky, and their shared experiences bind a strong bond between them. The story is fast-paced and filled with treacherous adventures as time ticks away. This is humorous and moving story of male friendship set amongst the horror of war.

Notes
City of Thieves is classified as an adult novel but has strong young adult crossover appeal due to the age of Lev and Koyla. It’s easy to read and the story moves along quickly as the reader becomes invested in the lives of the appealing main characters. The author is a screenwriter as well as a novelist and the book reads like a movie.

Awards and honors
Alex Award, 2009