We Are Wolves
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- 5,49 €
Publisher Description
A heartbreaking, untold story of World War II from award-winning Australian author Katrina Nannestad, perfect for 9+ readers and fans of Michael Morpurgo, Goodnight Mr Tom and I am David.
'It's the small acts of human kindness that make this book sing. Heart-swelling, and with characters that won't be forgotten.' Zana Fraillon, award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow
When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the Second World War, the Wolf family must flee. Liesl, Otto and their baby sister Mia find themselves lost and alone, in a blizzard, in the middle of a war zone. Liesl has promised Mama that she will keep her brother and sister safe.
But sometimes, to survive, you have to do bad things. Dangerous things. Wild things.
Sometimes to survive, you must become a wolf.
A story of hope, survival and the refugee experience that is both timeless and incredibly timely, and set to become a modern classic.
Reviews
It's the small acts of human kindness that make this book sing. Heart-swelling, and with characters that won't be forgotten. ', Zana Fraillon, award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow
'A rare combination of heart-stopping suspense and lyrical warmth.', Jaclyn Moriarty, award-winning author of The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone
About the author
Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning Australian author. Her books include We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, the Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Olive of Groves series, the Red Dirt Diaries series, the Lottie Perkins series and Bungaloo Creek.
Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighbourhood stuffed full of happy children. Her adult years have been spent teaching, raising boys, perfecting her recipe for chocolate-chip bickies and pursuing her love of stories. She now lives near Bendigo with her family and an exuberant black whippet called Olive.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Nannestad's immersive WWII novel centers on the Wolfskinder—German children suddenly left to fend for themselves. In late 1944 East Prussia, 11-year-old Liesl Wolf and her seven-year-old brother, Otto, never doubt that it is "an exciting time to be German," even when their father is called to fight for "our beloved leader." When Papa is pronounced missing, though, and their family, along with many others, is commanded to flee the Red Army in a blizzard, confusion floods the children's patriotism. After tragedy leaves Liesl in charge of irrepressible Otto and joyful toddler Mia, their sister, the children struggle to survive, stealing from abandoned homes, foraging, and even living with Russian soldiers. Fierce and steadfast in her care for her siblings, and determined to hold to a promise to keep them safe and together, Liesl insists they still "need to be children": playing games, singing songs, and telling jokes even amid their desperation. As Liesl undergoes thoughtful questioning and maturation in her thinking about the war's players, her realistic yet optimistic voice grounds the book in a spirit of integrity, generosity, and love—a sensibility that gently permeates the siblings' bonds with one another and with others. Heiduczek's occasional b&w art enhances the story's dark and tender components. Ages 10–14.
