The Dagger

The novella by Anatoly Naumovich Rybakov (1911–1998), The Dagger, marked the beginning of a famous trilogy for children. It is continued by the novellas The Bronze Bird and The Shot. The action of the novella begins during the Civil War.... Schoolboy Misha Polyakov finds an officer's dagger, which is sought after by a dangerous criminal, Nikitsky. An encrypted letter is hidden in the hilt of the dagger. What does this cipher mean and why is the White Guard officer Nikitsky willing to do anything to possess the dagger? Misha and his friends embark on a risky investigation. They are in for a long journey, but the boys are determined to seek the truth at all costs, assisted by friendship, selflessness, and a quest for justice. The novella The Dagger was adapted for film twice - in 1954 and 1973. Illustrations by N. Bugoslavskaya. For middle school age.