We Are Wolves wins Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction

The Winner of the 2021 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction is We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad,  HarperCollins 2020

 

Three children find themselves in an epic struggle for survival, alone in East Prussia in the dying days of WWII.

Katrina said historical fiction can ‘introduce children to significant and fascinating events in a way they can understand and truly enjoy, without exposing them to details that are inappropriate for their age and level of understanding.’

Judges’ comments:

We Are Wolves is outstanding for the delicacy and depth in the writing, the skill with which a cataclysmic human disaster is made immediate, accessible, being real but not horrifying, and for its therapeutic use of humour. It is a drama underpinned with confidence in the ultimate goodness of human nature.  Beautifully designed and illustrated by Martina Heiduscek, this is a story that brings history immediately to life and inspires young readers to ponder big issues – peace, justice, kindness and tolerance, to name just a few.

Review on StoryLinks

Interview with Katrina Nannestad

Q&A with Katrina Nannestad (YouTube)

The  Winner of the Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction was announced on Saturday 16 October 2021 at a special online event with guest speaker Jackie French.