Arkadi Gaidar (1904 - 1941) wrote the novel "Timur and His Squad" a year before his death. This partially autobiographical work was his greatest success. The 14-year-old Timur is the leader of a support squad that takes care of the families of front-line soldiers. However, this is not so easy, as there is a group in the town that constantly fights against Timur and his friends. When the 13-year-old Shenja visits Timur's hometown, she shakes up the squad significantly and simultaneously makes many new friends.