I had the pleasure last year of reading We Are Wolves by the same author. Once again, Nannestad has written a novel about a little-known aspect of World War II. Our popular culture of the War speaks volumes about the British, French and the Americans, but we hear and see little about the Great Patriotic War, which is the name given by the Russians for their conflict against Germany.

Sasha is six when the German forces obliterate his village, his mother, his sister and his cat. Left alone he finds his way into a Soviet military unit, where he finds he brings a special gift to the soldiers – love. It is Sasha’s innocence, despite everything he has lost, which gives him the strength to survive and to inspire. He becomes the Angel of Stalingrad. Sasha and his company make it to Berlin where the story is recounted.

This is more than a story based on a real person about the terrible nature of war. It’s also about the stupidity of war. ‘They too, have come out to watch the Germans … these aren’t fearsome, wicked enemies we have conquered. They’re brothers and fathers and sons. Just like our brothers and fathers and sons.’

At times I felt very sad and moved. At other times uplifted. It is written in a simple form which adds to the voice of the narrator. It is powerful and if it makes you stop and think, then it has achieved its aim.

Reviewed by Anthony Llewellyn-Evans
Age Guide 10+