Book Reviews

Waiting for the Storks by Sree

Waiting for the Storks is a novel by children’s author Katrina Nannestad, whose books focus on children deeply affected by World War II, offering insight into the lives of these young individuals during that turbulent time. Though her books are fictional, they are inspired by compelling stories of children in Europe during the war.

This particular book, Waiting for the Storks, follows Zofia Ulinski, an eight-year-old Polish girl. After Germany invades Poland, Zofia and the people of her hometown, Krakow, are forced from their homes with very little money. Soon after, she is taken by the Germans into the “Lebensborn Program,” a project that involved kidnapping children who exhibited the desired Aryan traits: blue eyes, fair skin, and blonde hair. Children who failed the Germans’ tests often met a grim fate, but Zofia passes and is “Germanized.” Her past is erased, and she is sent to live in Germany.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, one being the engaging contrasts within the story. Zofia faces tough decisions, having to choose between embracing her new German identity, with its associated luxuries, or remaining loyal to her roots as a poor Polish girl. Nannestad also gives Zofia considerable character development, shaping her into a braver and more resilient individual. Additionally, the book features rich vocabulary, enhancing my language skills. The writing is well crafted and includes terms from other languages (translated within the text), adding to the story’s depth. It left me feeling both empathetic and fulfilled.

I would recommend this book to readers aged nine to twelve, as it resonates well with this age group, aligning with the ages of the central characters and the story’s themes.