All The Beautiful Things

A new heart-wrenching, impeccably researched historical novel for middle-grade readers.

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.

— from Harper Collins

I’ve read other historical fiction books set during WWII but this is the first one I read from the German perspective, and it’s a children’s book! Written simply, but beautifully. I didn’t realise that Hitler even persecuted his own countrymen who did not fit into his ideal. A sobering reminder to go beyond judging people based on appearances or physical ability, and instead train ourselves to see and value who they really are inside – including their kindness and ability to love.

— Li Ping, SD