Overview

This inspiring narrative nonfiction is a tribute to a great unsung American hero! Of HEROIC PROPORTION An American Story of Patriotism and Survival in the Soviet Union During the Cold War reveals a fascinating, little-known chapter of American and Soviet history, and the extraordinary resilience of one boy who defied the system, the odds and even Stalin. Described by historians as a historical anomaly... Danyk Szafranski managed to maintain his American citizenship during the Cold War in the Soviet Union... and live! The US Embassy in Moscow whole-heartedly recognized his American citizenship, unfortunately... Stalin didn't. Steeped in history and suspense, supported by letters, photographs, and documents, Danyk's story is weaved over continents, time, and complex historical events to reveal not only a very human experience of American patriotism and enduring love but also the intricacies of war, mysteries of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, and devotion of US Foreign Service officials in the Soviet Union at this time. The author, Mary Bruno Friedman, had a personal connection to the protagonist as he was a custodian where she taught in East Meadow, New York. She believed him to be a Soviet immigrant until he presented a puzzling box of artifacts exposing a past that he couldn't otherwise share due to his limited English. This evidence and their friendship helped uncover the incredibly true story of an American child, trapped behind the Iron Curtain and his harrowing experiences of survival, courage and perseverance. Historians and sophisticated readers intrigued by unprecedented events brought to life within a historical context, and real-life stories of an unsung American hero will have depth of history and characters to explore, as well as the question... ""What does it mean to be an American?"" For Book Club Discussion Questions or to contact the author visit: www.of-heroic-proportion.com 2nd edition 442 page count

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Mary Bruno Friedman began her teaching career as a special educator with a degree in Emotional Disturbance and Neurological Impairment at Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital in Manhattan. Her unique experiences while teaching there began her life-long desire to advocate for the underdog and cheer for imperfect characters that manage to get it right anyway. She suspended her teaching career briefly to raise her family. Upon her return to education, she became a departmental teacher at Woodland Middle School in East Meadow, NY, which is where she met and befriended Mr. Danyk Szafranski. Further, earning certification as a Wilson Language Systems teacher, she spent many years teaching dyslexic students to master reading. As well, spanning over her thirty-year teaching career, her other positions included teaching special elementary students and High School English. In 1996, Of HEROIC PROPORTION began to take form as the narrative non-fiction account of Mr. Szafranski's life. Once told to her through Danyk's tears and written though her heart's eye, it became her passion to share Danyk's uplifting and inspiring story so that others might also see that true heroes really do walk among us. She also utilized her love of writing, drama and storytelling to motivate young people toward self-expression, publication and a life of learning with purpose for nearly ten years by writing and producing her own plays for school-wide audiences and guiding her students to write and produce their own, as well. In January 2007, her dedication was recognized by New York State District Kiwanis, and an EVERYDAY HERO Award was presented to her by the students of Woodland Middle School's Builders Club. In 2018, she retired from the East Meadow Union Free School District and enjoyed time as a docent at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Bethpage, NY. She presently resides in Melville, New York with her husband, Steve. Their greatest joy is spending time with their expanding family, especially their children, Adam and Lisa, their significant others, Deb and Jonathan and their five grandchildren (Evie, Maddie, Brie, Lenny and Mariella).

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