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ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Starting in 1943 in Berchtesgaden, this powerful novel cements Nannestad’s gift for telling stories set in WWII. Anna is 12 and the perfect Aryan girl in looks, but not in her heart or mind. Her beloved little sister Eva would be considered weak and inferior by the Nazis and sent away if ever discovered. Anna and her mother have kept Eva hidden, with the help of trusted neighbours and her best friend Udo. As the war grinds on and life gets harder, Anna and Udo befriend another Eva, who is impossibly glamorous and well connected. Through her and the local seamstress, they come into contact with the wives of important Nazis - and the difficulties mount in keeping secrets... Empathetic and finely portrayed. Ages 9-13 Lindy

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.

AWARDS

Shortlisted - ABIA 2025 Book of the Year for Younger Children (ages 7-12)

Winner - Indie Book of the Year Award 2025 (Children's)
By:  
Imprint:   ABC
Country of Publication:   Australia
Dimensions:   Height: 218mm,  Width: 160mm,  Spine: 31mm
Weight:   508g
ISBN:   9780733343148
ISBN 10:   0733343147
Pages:   352
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 10 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

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 and Silver Linings. 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. www.katrinanannestad.com

Reviews for All the Beautiful Things

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Starting in 1943 in Berchtesgaden, this powerful novel cements Nannestad’s gift for telling stories set in WWII. Anna is 12 and the perfect Aryan girl in looks, but not in her heart or mind. Her beloved little sister Eva would be considered weak and inferior by the Nazis and sent away if ever discovered. Anna and her mother have kept Eva hidden, with the help of trusted neighbours and her best friend Udo. As the war grinds on and life gets harder, Anna and Udo befriend another Eva, who is impossibly glamorous and well connected. Through her and the local seamstress, they come into contact with the wives of important Nazis - and the difficulties mount in keeping secrets... Empathetic and finely portrayed. Ages 9-13 Lindy


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