Why did Sasha think that children in capitalist societies, like America, had such miserable and unhappy lives and would never be able to live out their dreams?

What logic did the Soviets use to make the people think it was beneficial to live in a commune with dozens of other families? What was the real motivation for the Soviet government placing people in communes?

Why were the adults so heartless with the young children? Who was the only adult that Sasha encountered who was kind to and protective of him?

Sasha began the story loving Stalin and wanting to be a Communist. What events occurred during the course of the story to make him change his mind?

What significance did Stalin's nose have in the story?

What parallels were there between Borka and Sasha and Vovka and Sasha? How were all three of their...