INSPIRED by a TRUE STORY!
Book Details:
One Boy's War by Nancy McDonald Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 134 pages Genre: Historical fiction | Publisher: Iguana Books Release date: April, 2020 | Format available for review: print, PDF Tour dates: September 14 to October 2, 2020 Content Rating: G. There is no violence, bad language etc. in this book. Book Description: ENGLAND, SUMMER 1940. Following a brush with death in the Irish Sea, 10-year-old Käfer Avigdor unexpectedly finds himself back in London. There, he stumbles upon a sinister Nazi plot that targets hundreds of people in Britain—including the most powerful man in the country. The one person who might be able to defeat Adolf Hitler. With the Germans threatening to invade England at any moment, Käfer musters all his courage and ingenuity in a valiant effort to thwart the Nazis. But will he succeed in time to save the day? One Boy’s War, the sequel to Boy from Berlin, is inspired by real people and historical events. Buy Now: Amazon ~ Amazon.ca ~ Chapters Indigo.ca ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound ~ Abe Books ~ Book Depository ~ Books-A-Million ~ Add to Goodreads
REVIEW by LAWonder10:
This was a very well-written and excellent reading for any youth, but is directed at older elementary age and early teens. However, i am certain the whole family would enjoy it. It is mostly true! The characters and scenes were both portrayed well. the author took liberties in adding some adventure and suspense which enhanced the tale. It is advisable to read the "Author's Noes" at the end of the story. This is based on an actual events during Worl War ll. It centers mostly on one family forced to flee Germany and the Nazi's. I offer a Five Stars rating for this book. *This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
"Inspired by a true story, Boy from Berlin shares a unique voice in the Holocaust. Highly recommended!” - Jennifer Roy, author of Yellow Star, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.
“A compelling introduction to themes of war, courage and identity, certain to engage young readers.” - Trilby Kent, author of Stones for my Father, winner of the TD Canadian Children’s Literary Award.
OTHER BOOK in the SERIES:
Book Details:
Boy from Berlin by Nancy McDonald Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 142 pages Genre: Historical fiction ~ Publisher: Iguana Books Tour dates: September 14 to October 2, 2020 Content Rating: G. There is no violence, bad language etc. in this book. Book Description: Berlin, April 1938. One night, eight-year-old Käfer Avigdor uses his specialty toilet-paper roll binoculars to spy on his Mama and Aunt Charlotte. The whispered conversation he overhears alerts him to a danger he didn’t know existed and starts him rethinking who he really is and where he belongs. Within hours, Käfer and his family flee their comfortable life. In a desperate race to stay one step ahead of the Nazis, Käfer is called on to be braver and more resourceful than he ever imagined possible. But will it be enough? Boy from Berlin is based on real people and actual events. Buy Now: Amazon ~ Amazon.ca ~ Chapters Indigo.ca ~ Barnes & Noble ~IndieBound Abe Books ~ Book Depository ~ Books-A-Million ~ Add to Goodreads
Why write historical fiction for young people? By Nancy McDonald, author of Boy from Berlin and One Boy’s War
“Boy from Berlin brings history to life with a compelling storyline, full of twists and turns.” “A gripping adventure wrapped in a crucial lesson in 20th Century history.” “Spies, Nazis, a family in peril, all seen through the innocent eyes of an observant 8-year-old. This is a wonderful adventure that touches upon some important 20C history.” When I first got the idea to write a novel based on my husband Käfer’s flight from Germany at the start WWII – and to tell it from his eight year-old point of view – I never dreamed it would get the enthusiastic reaction it has. In fact, I really questioned if it was something that would appeal to today’s children. I was committed to telling the story. It’s a gripping tale. Käfer is living a comfortable life in Berlin. His father is an exceptionally talented aeronautical engineer who has invented a game-changing fuel pump that could win the war for the Nazis. But when Hitler comes to power the family flees in the dead of night, the Gestapo on their heels. What Käfer doesn’t know, what his parents have kept from him, is that his family is Jewish. Something he comes to suspect is one of the reasons they must leave. But it’s a story about more than a race to stay one step ahead of the Nazis. There’s an issue that plagues Käfer: Why won’t my parents talk about whether or not we’re Jewish? Why is it wrong to be Jewish? And is there a safe haven for me anywhere? These are questions that dog a lot of youngsters today – particularly refugee and immigrant kids – and they’re looking for answers. Yet at the time I was writing Boy from Berlin, bookstores were filled with stories about vampires and wizards and mythical creatures. Would there be an audience for my historical novels? Would they resonate with children today? Then a friend send me an article from the New York Times. It was a fascinating piece about how middle-grade and YA readers were turning to historical fiction set during WWII. Why? To start, there are very definable good guys and bad guys. And kids like that. Especially when the good guys come out on top. But for today’s children, there’s an added attraction. WWII was a conflict that swept young people up, either as members of the resistance or as refugees, forcing them to grow up quickly. As Käfer did. I think that historical fiction has the ability to move children in a way that other forms of literature don’t. And, if it’s done well, it can teach them very modern-day lessons about how to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds – and even succeed. 
Meet the Author:
Nancy McDonald began her career as a journalist on television programs that include W5, Canada AM, and Marketplace before going on to become a sought-after freelance writer, penning everything from documentaries to live-action scripts to comic books. One Boy’s War is the highly anticipated sequel to Boy from Berlin. Nancy lives in Stratford, Ontario, where she revels in Shakespeare, takes theatergoers on tours of the Costume Warehouse, and treads the boards with the Perth County Players. She also works part-time at Fanfare Books, Stratford’s only independent bookseller. connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Here is the tour schedule.
Giveaway Details:
ONE LUCKY WINNER will receive an Autographed set of BOY FROM BERLIN & ONE BOY'S WAR! (USA and Canada only) (ends Oct 9) Enter using the Rafflecopter Below! 
1 Comment
9/21/2020 08:20:59 am
Thanks for your kind words, Lu Ann! I'm so pleased you enjoyed One Boy's War and recommend it as a great read for children - and adults. Leave a Reply. |
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