The powerful novel from award-winning Australian writer Katrina Nannestad.
Shortlisted in the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Winner of the 2021 Australian Book Design Awards. Longlisted in the 2021 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Sometimes it's good to be wild.
Sometimes you have to be wild.
When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the 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.
Bestselling author Katrina Nannestad returns with her most masterful novel yet — a book to crack open your heart, a book to light you up inside, a book to love.
AWARDS
Winner - ABDA Best Designed Children's Fiction Book 2021
Winner - Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction 2021
Winner - ARA Historical Novel Prize 2021 (Children's and Young Adult Category)
Winner - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2022 (Children's Literature Award)
Winner - Koala Awards 2022 (Fiction for Readers 7-9)
Shortlisted - CBCA Book of the Year Award (Younger Readers) 2021
Shortlisted - Queensland Literary Awards 2021 (Children's Book Award)
Shortlisted - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2021 (Children's Literature Award)
Shortlisted - West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2022
Longlisted - ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children 2021
PRAISE FOR WE ARE WOLVES
'The children's physical and emotional journeys, inspired by real events, are poignantly depicted as they struggle against the elements, hunger, and foes and try to understand the nonsensical nature of war and the unimaginable things it forces people to do to survive. Heiduczek's hauntingly atmospheric art adds to the story's emotional impact. A lesser-known story beautifully and sensitively told.'
- Kirkus, starred review
'A compelling mix of historical fiction, survival, and adventure, this title shines light on a little-known episode from history'
-School Library Journal, starred review
'This is powerful storytelling that will touch the toughest of hearts. Liesl, Otto, and Mia will stay with me for a long time to come.'
- Felice Arena, bestselling author of A Great Escape
'All the appeal, adventure and terror of classic war novels like Once and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but with its own unique voice, humour and heart. We Are Wolves is a book for children and their adults to curl up and read together, and I feel as though it will be read and loved for many years to come.'
- Tristan Bancks, bestselling author of Detention
'This is quite simply one of the most beautiful books I've read for a long time ... I feel so much better for having read it, uplifted in the truest sense, and I'm sure it will be a story that is read for many, many years to come.'
- Karen Foxlee, award-winning author of Lenny's Book of Everything
'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...
The powerful novel from award-winning Australian writer Katrina Nannestad.
Shortlisted in the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Winner of the 2021 Australian Book Design Awards. Longlisted in the 2021 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Sometimes it's good to be wild.
Sometimes you have to be wild.
When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the 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.
Bestselling author Katrina Nannestad returns with her most masterful novel yet — a book to crack open your heart, a book to light you up inside, a book to love.
AWARDS
Winner - ABDA Best Designed Children's Fiction Book 2021
Winner - Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction 2021
Winner - ARA Historical Novel Prize 2021 (Children's and Young Adult Category)
Winner - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2022 (Children's Literature Award)
Winner - Koala Awards 2022 (Fiction for Readers 7-9)
Shortlisted - CBCA Book of the Year Award (Younger Readers) 2021
Shortlisted - Queensland Literary Awards 2021 (Children's Book Award)
Shortlisted - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2021 (Children's Literature Award)
Shortlisted - West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2022
Longlisted - ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children 2021
PRAISE FOR WE ARE WOLVES
'The children's physical and emotional journeys, inspired by real events, are poignantly depicted as they struggle against the elements, hunger, and foes and try to understand the nonsensical nature of war and the unimaginable things it forces people to do to survive. Heiduczek's hauntingly atmospheric art adds to the story's emotional impact. A lesser-known story beautifully and sensitively told.'
- Kirkus, starred review
'A compelling mix of historical fiction, survival, and adventure, this title shines light on a little-known episode from history'
-School Library Journal, starred review
'This is powerful storytelling that will touch the toughest of hearts. Liesl, Otto, and Mia will stay with me for a long time to come.'
- Felice Arena, bestselling author of A Great Escape
'All the appeal, adventure and terror of classic war novels like Once and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but with its own unique voice, humour and heart. We Are Wolves is a book for children and their adults to curl up and read together, and I feel as though it will be read and loved for many years to come.'
- Tristan Bancks, bestselling author of Detention
'This is quite simply one of the most beautiful books I've read for a long time ... I feel so much better for having read it, uplifted in the truest sense, and I'm sure it will be a story that is read for many, many years to come.'
- Karen Foxlee, award-winning author of Lenny's Book of Everything
'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...
Reviews-
-
Starred review from May 2, 2022
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. -
In We Are Wolves, middle-grade author Katrina Nannestad, creator of the 'Olive of Groves' and 'Girl, the Dog and the Writer' series, moves confidently into more sombre territory with the story of a Prussian family who are forced to flee their home in 1945. Having already lost their father to the war, Liesl, Otto and baby Mia become separated from their beloved Mama, Oma and Opa when the Russians invade. In the midst of a hard winter and in the aftermath of war, the Wolf children display incredible resilience, bravery and ingenuity in order to survive. They grapple with the moral ambiguity of wartime, ideas of enmity and nationhood, and the perils of hiding your identity. Although dark themes are touched upon, Nannestad is careful to balance the book with stolen moments of joy; toddler Mia hilariously names all the cows they meet, including the delightful Dog, Wobbles and Yummy. This book provides a new angle on the endlessly fascinating history of World War II, but the astute reader will draw comparisons to the plight of modern refugees across the world. Anyone aged 10 and up who enjoyed Lenny’s Book of Everything or The Book Thief will find much to cherish here; I guarantee that the Wolf children will find a place in your heart.
Annie Waters sells books, writes about books and podcasts about books. Read her interview with Katrina Nannestad about We Are Wolves here.
