Natasha Lands Down Under — Katherine McCaughan

Gold Medal Winner of Young Adult -Historical/Cultural section of Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. Natasha's Russian family flees China in 1950 to start a new life in Sydney, Australia. Unable to speak English, Natasha longs for her old life in Shanghai. The problems of life under Japanese occupation and the following civil war seem tame compared to facing her new school with its inexplicable customs, different clothes and hairstyles. Having lost everything to communism, Natasha's family is now accused of being communist. The first turbulent year in Australia strains even strong willed Natasha's confidence, but a catastrophic event makes her realize her own strength and understand her place in her new life.