Sasha Zaichik

Sasha Zaichik is a ten-year-old boy who lives with his father in a commune in Communist Russia, also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Sasha is enthralled with Communism and hopes to become a member of the Young Soviet Pioneers, a Communist youth group. He is proud of his father who works for State Security, also known as the Secret Police. His father was honored as a hero by Stalin himself. He is so excited about becoming a Young Pioneer that he writes a letter to Stalin thanking him for his wisdom and leadership.

But Sasha's world begins to fall apart when in the middle of the night his father is arrested by members of his own police force. A neighbor who had his eye on Sasha's large apartment, turned his father in on a false charge. Sasha is sure that it's a big mistake...