We Are Wolves

December 1, 2021
A trio of German siblings must fend for themselves in order to survive during the final months of World War II. As the war rages on, Liesl, Otto, and Mia live in East Prussia with their family. It's October 1944, and Papa has finally been called to serve in Hitler's army. Not long after, the Russian army breaks through German lines, spurring the family to abandon their village and seek safety in the midst of a terrible blizzard. The children become separated from their mother, and 11-year-old Liesl must honor the promise she made to Mama to take care of 7-year-old Otto and toddler Mia. The children are quickly found by some Red Army soldiers and taken to their temporary quarters, where a kindly German-speaking Russian means to protect them, but when the arrangement becomes too dangerous, they are forced once more to flee. The siblings attempt to survive on their own in the forest along with other orphaned German children known as the Wolfskinder, or wolf children. 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. (Historical fiction. 10-15)

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February 1, 2022
Grades 4-7 The plight of the "Wolfskinder" is plucked from history's shadows in Nannestad's novel of WWII refugees. Here we meet the literal Wolf children (Liesl, the eldest; seven-year-old Otto; and baby Mia), who are German siblings living normal lives in East Prussia, until the tide of the war changes and Russian soldiers descend on their town. Forced to flee with their mother and grandparents, the kids are shocked by the sights and experiences of this mass exodus. When the children become separated from their family, they hide in the woods, becoming Wolfskinder, wild children orphaned by war and doing whatever it takes to survive. Liesl undergoes much personal development over the course of the novel, as she grapples with violating moral principles (stealing food and clothing), confronts the reality that Germany has done bad things during the war, and realizes that not all Russian soldiers are evil. Readers who enjoy survival stories will be engrossed by how the kids get by in the woods, while unexpected dangers and allies propel the action forward toward hope.

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Starred review from March 1, 2022

Gr 4-6-Liesl, her brother Otto, and sister Mia are "Wolfskinder," German children orphaned or separated from their families in East Prussia at the end of World War II. Just 11 years old, Liesl's fierce devotion to her younger siblings helps keep them-and their dream of being reunited with family-alive in a harsh and dangerous landscape. In their struggle to survive, the children find unexpected kindness, even friendship, from enemy Russian troops. But the soldiers can provide only temporary shelter from war's senseless destruction and cruelty; the children are soon on their own again, living as forest scavengers. The plot's relaxed pace is bolstered by vivid settings and nuanced, memorable characters. Liesl realistically transitions from child to adult, observing that, "We are all the same deep down. German. Russian. Children. Soldiers." While the novel ends on a hopeful note, Nannestad leaves readers with an important, timely question: For those fleeing a country affected by war, does survival require surrendering cultural identity and heritage? VERDICT A compelling mix of historical fiction, survival, and adventure, this title shines light on a little-known episode from history. Recommended for all middle grade collections.-Marybeth Kozikowski

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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.

September 23, 2020
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.