A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nannestad, K.2022. WE ARE WOLVES Ill. by Heiduczek, M. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781665904223
B. PLOT SUMMARY
When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of World War II, the Wolf family must flee. Being caught by the Russians or the Americans would be the end for them. Liesl, Otto, and baby Mia’s father has already been captured, and they get separated from their mother in a blizzard after only a few days on the run.Liesl had promised Mama that she’d keep her brother and sister safe, no matter what. They’ll forage in the forests if they have to. Little do they know that there are hundreds of other parentless children doing the very same thing. And they far too quickly learn that, sometimes, to survive, you have to do bad things.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS( INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Set during Hitler’s reign over Germany in WWII, Nannestad writes a fictional, yet historically realistic account of a family’s harrowing journey to Lithuania in order to escape the advancing Russian soldiers that threaten to do harm or even kill the German citizens of a small village.
Along with showing the brutal, deadly side of war, Nannestad demonstrates the human side of the soldiers from both sides of such an inhumane war where pillaging and ransacking was commonplace. The author at times restores the reader’s faith in humanity when both Russian and German soldiers offer Liesl, Otto, and Mia bars of chocolate as well as a place to stay warm and have warm meals during the frigid winter season. Russian soldiers even created a diversion in order to give Liesl and her siblings an opportunity to flee the Russian camp where a ranking soldier wanted to take Mia home to his wife.
During the year-long journey to their destination, Nannestad offers examples on how culture can mean the difference between life and death. Prior to the separation of the family, Opa, the grandfather, stresses the importance of heritage and identity by making Leisl and Otto recite their first, middle and last name. Although there didn’t seem to be a purpose for that, the reader can later make the connection when the children are taken in by an elderly Lithuanian couple who stress that they must no longer speak German, not necessarily because of what the Russians might do to Liesl and her siblings, but what they might do to the couple. The couple teaches the children phrases in Lithuanian that they must repeat ad nauseam in order to begin their transition into their new identity. They do so well that Magdalena tells Liesl “Now you look like a proper Lithuanian girl.” Liesl struggles to accept the fact that in order for all of them to survive, they must change their names as well as forget their culture and adopt their new life. Liesl makes an important comment which sets the tone for the rest of their stay. She says, “ And so we begin to vanish.” One can assume that they stayed together, but it’s unsure if Liesl and her siblings regained their identity after their mother found them, although Liesl says that “One hug squeezes Svajone away and brings Mia, our beautiful, precious little Mia, bursting to life once more.”
Nannestad’s depiction of We are Wolves, although fictional, gives an awe-inspiring view of the hardships people faced not only during WWII, but in other wars. Her attention to detail when describing the characters' feelings and actions draws the reader into the story and keeps their attention from the very beginning to the end.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
USBBY Outstanding International Book
Kirkus Reviews: “A lesser-known story beautifully and sensitively told.”
School Library Journal: “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.”
E. CONNECTIONS
**Students can create their own Venn Diagram to compare and contrast characters before and after the war.
**Students can write their own nursery rhymes.
**Students can research their own lineage.
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