Harper Collins

October 2024

ISBN: 9780733343148
ISBN 10: 0733343147

Imprint: ABC Books

RRP: $22.99

It goes without saying that Katrina Nannestad’s books are going to fly off the shelves. She just produces one amazing narrative after another. When I was asked to write notes for this new one, I was naturally delighted. I found the book not only completely engrossing but quite emotional because, in reality, had we lived in Germany during those dark days of Nazism, The Kid would have been at real risk just as little Eva is.

Like most ordinary German families during the later years of World War II, Anna and her mother, along with little Eva, struggle for everything – food, clothing, heating – but what is even more of a struggle is keeping Eva hidden, not just from the Nazis but from everyone in the entire village, because who knows which neighbour might be an informant?

Certainly crotchety Frau Gerstenberger, the nosy neighbour gives every appearance of being ready to report the slightest hint of rebellion or deception – and yet, no. Instead, she is fearful on Eva’s behalf, having had her own disabled niece taken away, never to return.

And just so, there are others in the town, who are outwardly obedient Nazi party supporters but who not only secretly hate the tyrants, but also actively work against them. This is a story of the ordinary German people many of whom did whatever they could to bring the Nazi regime to an end.

Anna, her best friend Udo, who lives with his grandfather Dr Fischer, and Gunther, a veteran of the last war who has lingering mental illness issues are part of this group. There is Seamstress Linz, who makes beautiful clothes for the Nazi wives but who secretly works with the Underground and is unafraid to hide children at risk. There is Brunhilde, the outspoken new girl in town, whom Anna befriends.

But it is also the story of the others impacted by Hitler and his evil cohort. When Anna and Udo accidentally meet Eva Braun, with no idea exactly who she is, they are charmed by her and she them. This is a history that is fictional but could be entirely true, and certainly has been meticulously researched for authenticity.

It is by turns, powerful, distressing, full of tension, humorous and, ultimately, uplifting. Like many of Katrina’s other ‘war’ books (as I certainly think of them) readers will find this inspirational and heartwarming, with its affirmation of the essential goodness of most people, as well as the extraordinary courage of others.

During my own research as I wrote the notes, I went down many a rabbit hole of finding out more about Eva Braun, about whom I knew virtually nothing, only to find that she was just as much a victim as so many others, and then there was the repeated awful dichotomy of the jovial and kindly Führer, who hosted elaborate Xmas parties for his immediate circle and their families, with special attention to their children, ensuring they had fun, games and gifts.

This is a book that will give rise to so many rich discussions and debates and even for your older students who are studying this period of history, it is one that will flesh out the textbook facts into a living, breathing insight into the past.

Everytime there’s a new one, ‘I think this is the best’ – and here it is again. I do think this is the most powerful and poignant yet, not least because of the personal emotions it provoked in me. It’s another one to add to either your last orders of the year or straight on the list for next year. It goes without saying that it will also make for an amazing gift for a young reader in your own circle.

I would suggest it is best suited to discerning readers, with access to someone with whom to debrief if needed, from around 11/12 years upwards.

What emoji to use for this rating? I’m choosing 5 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️ because as we know, the peace that followed the downfall of the Nazi regime, did not last and struggle for ordinary people, including children, continues around the world today.

All-the-Beautiful-Things-Classroom-Resources Download

Here are some additional resources to the notes that you may find useful.

Related resources

We Were Wolves- Katrina Nannestad

Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief – Katrina Nannestad

Waiting for the Storks – Katrina Nannestad

Flamingo Boy – Michael Morpurgo

Tulips for Breakfast – Catherine Bauer

The Once Series – Morris Gleitzman

Beyond Belief – Dee White

Heroes of the Secret Underground – Susanne Gervay

Jacob’s Rescue: a Holocaust Story – Malka Drucker, Michael Halperin

The Feather-Bed Journey – Paula Kurzband Feder

True Life stories:

The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank

Hiding Edith – Kathy Kacer

The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser – Kathy Kacer

Signs of Survival: A Memoir of the Holocaust – Renee Hartman with Joshua M. Greene

The Upstairs Room – Johanna Reiss

Film:

The Book Thief

The Diary of Anne Frank

Useful Links

Uncommon Travel: Germany – Berghof [very informative about Hitler, the house and his personal life]

Uncommon Travel: Germany – Berchtesgaden

Exploring the Ruins of Berghof – The History Underground/History Traveller: Episode 273[22.22 mins] (historical photos and information including the bombing raid mentioned in the text)

Hitler’s Home Movies at the Berghof (with commentary)- The History Underground/History Traveller [25.39 mins] (footage of and taken by Eva Braun)

Eva Hitler: nee Braun – [45:47]- historic film footage including some by Eva Braun with personal information.