Culture 1 – International Literature
1. WE ARE WOLVES by Katrina Nannestad
Bibliography
Nannestad, Katrina. (2022). We are wolves. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Plot Summary
We are Wolves is set in WWII Germany. The Wolf family is slowly torn apart by the war. Papa has been called up to join Hitler’s Army and defend Germany, their homeland. When the situation at home changes, the family is forced to flee their home and country. They embark on a harrowing journey of survival. In the end, after many tragedies, the three children are forced to survive on their own in the wilderness, with the help of some unlikely friends along the way.
Critical Analysis
This 2023 USBBY Outstanding International Book Nominee is a historical fiction novel by Australian writer Katrina Nannestad. We Are Wolves was inspired by real life Wolfskinder, who were German children orphaned by war. Nannestad did an excellent job with the historical details about Germany and Lithuania at the end of the war.
To make the story feel authentic, the author included characters with typical German names. The children are Liesl, Otto, and Mia. They have a Mama and a Papa, whose parents are called Oma and Opa. The minor characters all have names that are typical of the country they came from. When the three children escape to Lithuania and end up on a farm with an older couple, they are given Lithuanian names and taught to speak Lithuanian. At different times in the book, German, Russian, and Lithuanian are spoken by the characters. This emphasizes how intertwined the people from these countries were during the war.
There is a contrast drawn in how Christmas is celebrated in Germany when compared to Lithuania. The children miss their Christmas Tree with candles on the ends, even though they think the pine branches used in Lithuania are nice. The black and white illustrations add to the suspense of the story.
Review excerpts
- Booklist: “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.”
- School Library Journal: “A compelling mix of historical fiction, survival, and adventure, this title shines light on a little-known episode from history.”
Connections
- Use the teacher notes found on the author’s website: katrinanannestad.com
- Have students research Wolfskinder in the aftermath of WWII.
2. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CHERRY TREE by Paola Peretti
Bibliography
Peretti, Paola. (2018). The distance between me and the cherry tree. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Plot Summary
10-year-old Mafalda has a rare genetic eye disease, called Stargardt’s Disease. She has mist in her eyes that makes everything appear grey and foggy. As the story progresses, Mafalda gradually loses her sight, until she is completely in the dark. She learns how to embrace her fear, how to be brave like an Amazon, and to never, ever give up. She has many people around her who love her and care for her. They all go on this journey with her, and she learns something vital from each one.
Critical Analysis
Paola Peretti’s debut novel was nominated for the Mildred Batchelder Award. The author herself was diagnosed with the same eye disease as a teenager. This personal experience allowed her to tell a very authentic story of a disabled girl.
This novel is set in Italy and the author, Peretti, is herself Italian. Her characters have Italian names, like Mafalda and and Filippo. One character is Romanian and her name is Estella. The author also includes small details that make the story very authentic. The story mentions that there is a break bell at school. Mafalda and her father both go home for lunch one day. Her mother makes her pasta for dinner when she is upset.
Review excerpts
- Booklist: “Peretti, who was diagnosed with the same illness as a teenager, provides a tunnel of light for readers to reach for.”
- Kirkus Reviews: “A quiet, philosophical story for thoughtful readers.”
Connections
- Further reading: Filippo, Me and the Cherry Tree by Paola Peretti
- Have students research Stargardt’s Disease and write a reflection on what they think it would be like to gradually lose their eyesight.
3. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DAY TODAY by Mem Fox
Bibliography
Fox, Mem. (2012). Tell me about your day today. Beach Lane Books.
Plot Summary
Tell Me About Your Day Today is about a little boy who loves bedtime. He puts each one of his stuffed animals to bed by asking them about their day. They talk about the who, the what, they why, and the way the whole day turned out okay. In the end, the greedy goose asks him the same questions, and the little boy reflects on how his wild day turned out okay.
Critical Analysis
The author, Mem Fox, is from Australia. While the words are simple, and the human characters are nameless, the illustrations show the cultural elements. In one illustration, you see a very classic looking yellow teapot. In another, the stuffed rabbit is hanging on a clothesline to dry. The boy’s stuffed animals are a greedy goose and a fat rabbit, while the blue horse is a traditional rocking horse.
Review excerpts
- Booklist: “The succinct, precisely worded text reads aloud beautifully, while the illustrations recreate the cozy bedroom.”
- Kirkus Reviews: “Fox's use of rhyme and repetition has a flowing cadence that moves briskly along while allowing time to savor the details of the innocent delight of a small child's imagination. A lovely, gentle story for bedtime sharing.”
Connections
- On Mem Fox’s website, memfox.com, she has an audio reading of this book and the story behind it.
- Further reading: A Bedtime Story by Mem Fox
4. PLAYING WITH LANTERNS by Wang Yage
Bibliography
Yage, Wang. (2021). Playing with lanterns. Amazon Crossing Kids.
Plot Summary
Playing With Lanterns is a 2023 Outstanding International Book Nominee. It tells the story of children celebrating Chinese New Year. In the beginning, the children get their lanterns from their uncles. Every night, they go outside to play with their lanterns together. There are fireworks and celebrations. At the end of New Year, they all smash their lanterns, to keep their uncles from having red eyes. Zhao Di is sad when the celebrations are over and she misses her accordion lantern, but she remembers that New Year will come again.
Critical Analysis
This delightful story is full of details about the Chinese New Year. By reading the story, you learn many key facts. Uncles give their nieces and nephews lanterns at the beginning of New Year. The days of Chinese New Year are listed in the narrative with descriptions of what is done on each day. At the end of Chinese New Year, the children must smash their beautiful lanterns, to protect their uncles from harm.
The little girl, Zhao Di, has a Chinese name. The illustrations are beautifully done. The characters are shown all bundled up for winter. Some of the girls and women have scarves over their heads. There are characters walking around with handbaskets. On one page, there is a pushcart full of vegetables. They use a match to light the lanterns.
Review excerpts
- Kirkus Reviews: “A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks. In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China...A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.”
- School Library Journal: “This work will foster discussions of unique traditions and is a good addition to holiday collections.”
Connections
- Pair this book with others on Chinese New Year to teach students about the tradition.
- Further reading: Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee and Alex’s Good Fortune by Benson Shum
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