What’s the book about?
The Nazis want everyone to be the same. If you’re different, you don’t belong.
Not belonging is dangerous …
Anna’s little sister, Eva, is frail and needs time to learn new things. She has a huge heart and a gift for loving, but Hitler doesn’t value such riches. And so she’s hidden away. Safe for now, but with the threat of discovery always near.
Anna does her best to bring joy and light to Eva’s small life. But soon, more children need hiding. Risks are taken — by Anna, by her best friend Udo, by a Nazi seamstress and feisty Brunhilde. Until Anna wonders if any of them will make it through the war …
Loyalty and love. Family and friendship. Understanding and tolerance. Right and wrong. Multi-award-winning Australian author Katrina Nannestad explores it all in this thrilling and powerful historical novel.
Recommended for:
Ages 10+
Three reasons to read it:
- All The Beautiful Things takes a deep, meaningful look at the idea of belonging and how it feels when society doesn’t accept you for who you truly are. You’ll see how the characters find strength in loving and accepting each other, even when the world says they don’t belong.
- Even though the world is filled with fear, loss, and cruelty, All the Beautiful Things still shines a light on the little things that make life precious. As Anna tries to make Eva’s life as joyful as possible, you’ll be reminded that even in the toughest times, there are still small, beautiful moments to hold on to. If you’ve ever felt like you needed something beautiful to hold on to, this book will be your reminder that beauty can always be found even in the darkest places.
- History can be tough to understand, especially when it comes to things like war and prejudice. But Nannestad takes the real stories of the past and wraps them up in a way that is both accessible and heartwarming for kids. You’ll not only get to see the struggles of people who lived through WWII, but you’ll also learn about what it was like to be different in a world where difference meant danger.
Buy a copy of All The Beautiful Things here.
About the author:
Katrina Nannestad is a multi-award-winning Australian author. Her books include the CBCA-shortlisted We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, The Travelling Bookshop series, The Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Olive of Groves series, the Red Dirt Diaries series, the Lottie Perkins series, and the historical novels Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, Waiting for the Storks, Silver Linings and All the Beautiful Things. Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighbourhood stuffed full of happy children. Her adult years have been spent raising boys, teaching, daydreaming and pursuing her love of stories. Katrina celebrates family, friendship and belonging in her writing. She also loves creating stories that bring joy or hope to other people’s lives. Katrina now lives on a hillside in central Victoria with her husband, a silly whippet called Olive and a mob of kangaroos.
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