A Visit to Moscow

"A Visit to Moscow may be a useful tool with which to begin discussion of the difficulties and dangers of emigration. [This] is a beautiful book with many layers of storytelling."
—The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

"This powerful and well-told story aptly captures the fear that circumscribed the lives of most Jews before the breakup of the Soviet Union. While Olswanger is obliged to label this book 'historical fiction' it rings absolutely true with respect to accounts from that period. It is also an important look at life under authoritarianism, especially authoritarian regimes that are antisemitic (as, alas, they all seem to be)."
—Rhapsody in Books

"Impressively adapted to a graphic novel format in collaboration with artist/illustrator Yevgenia Nayberg, A Visit to Moscow is both entertaining and informative."
—Midwest Book Review

"[A Visit to Moscow] is extremely well done. The excellent illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg use color to create a mood that informs the story, generating far greater emotion than one might expect from the sparse number of details included. The book ends with factual information about the plight of Soviet Jews that helps place the story into perspective. Since Grossman has passed away, Olswanger is unsure how much of the tale is fact and how much is fiction. However, she hopes to eventually find the Soviet family featured and learn the truth. That story would also be a fascinating one to read."
—The Reporter (Vestal, NY)

"This faith-affirming fablelike tale will make a ready gift book from older Jewish relatives to younger generations."
—Publishers Weekly

"The illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg are immersive and lush. While they look simplistic, they resemble art from the old Soviet Union, which captures the mood perfectly. Like any other graphic novel, the art also moves the story forward. . . A well-executed, and immersive story which has many layers. The more one reads this short graphic novel, the more one will find different layers to this seemingly simple story."
—Man of la Book: A Bookish Blog

"This story has now been retold in an elegantly written and illustrated graphic novel by author and literary agent Anna Olswanger and award-winning illustrator Yevgenia Nayberg."
—Tablet Magazine

"The storytelling is clear and crisp, written in the first person, enabling the reader to walk in Rabbi Grossman's shoes. The illustrations, contributed by a Jewish Ukrainian-American artist, reflect the grim realities of Soviet life, especially in shape and color. Form and pallet shift as hope is restored and we see a future in the promised land [...] Historic, inspirational, surprising, and entertaining, this is a slim volume that leaves a lasting impression on the reader."
—Kate on Kids Books

"It’s a really interesting read and definitely something unique that's out there in the comics community."
—Graphic Policy

"Stirring and tragic and hopeful all at the same time. Extraordinary illustrations, compelling words, and a heartbreaking story make it a book to cherish."
—Karen Cushman, Newbery Award–winning author

"This beautiful, haunting story evokes the tragedy and triumph of Soviet Jewry in a way that few books have managed to do."
—Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author

"A Visit to Moscow gives the true feeling of the tragedy of Russian Jewry. For seventy years we were isolated, not getting the fresh air of Yiddishkeit—we almost starved. And still, Soviet Jewry survived against all odds."
—Yosef Mendelevitch, Prisoner of Zion in the former Soviet Union