Brought to Moscow in 1990s Russia by his mother's abusive boyfriend, five-year-old Mishka is forced by a gang of homeless children to lie and steal until he finds comfort and love with a pack of dogs. Includes historical note.
When thirteen-year-old Sammy finds herself with an abandoned baby on her hands, she sets out to find the young mother, who may belong to a gang, and accidentally jeopardizes her position on the softball team.
During a harsh winter, Varjak Paw, a cat with great powers, leads his companions as they search for food, elude dangerous gangs, and hope to locate a hidden city where they can all be safe.
"A gang leader called Silvermask is kidnapping skylung and cloudling children in the port of Far Agondy, and it is up to Nadya and her friends to rescue the missing kids and put a stop to Silvermask once and for all"--