How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph), (Chapter.Figure)
Quote #4
But when the Kremlin guards see me, they run across the square, shouting and tugging at their sidearms. One slides on the ice and bumps into me. He swears, steam bursts out of his mouth, and he plunges his enormous mitten into my face. (8.3)
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. These Kremlin guards seem to be just a bit too free with their weapons if one ten-year-old boy sounds their alarms. Even though Sasha doesn't get shot, he apparently gets knocked around a bit by this guard. Check out the illustration at 8.F1.
Quote #5
Several kids join Vovka and line up into a firing squad. They hurl snowballs at Four-Eyes, who's backed against a wall. He doubles over and covers his face to protect his glasses. (12.2)
These kids sure are playing a grisly game. We've heard kids say, "Let's play cops and robbers," or "Let's play vampires and werewolves" (Team Jacob!), but it'll take a lot of convincing for us to believe kids are clamoring to play firing squad. Here, it's one symptom of the larger problem of violence that is so common in Soviet society during this time.
Quote #6
Before I know what I'm doing, I grab the snowball from Vovka's hand and throw it at Four-Eyes. There's a loud pop as it hits him in the face. The eyeglasses snap, glass splinters, and one shard cuts his cheek. (12.7)
Rather than be labeled an outsider for refusing to engage in this violent game—and be labeled a "traitor" (12.6)—Sasha instead helplessly acts out against Four-Eyes.