Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Tween Asta, her younger sister Pieta, and their mother flee their East Prussian home of Konigsberg in the final months of WWII, before Konigsberg is raided by Soviet forces. They arrive at their grandparents' farm in the countryside, hoping they will be safe there. But when the order comes for the rural sectors to evacuate, and their grandparents are killed before they can escape, the family of three are forced to evade capture, traveling through the woods, battling harsh winter conditions, and eventually joining thousands of others jockeying for passage across the Baltic Sea. When their vessel is torpedoed, their mother ensures their survival by getting them into a lifeboat before going down with the ship. This glimpse into what it was like for those living in and fleeing from war--based on the real-life history of the thousands of orphans left to fend for themselves during WWII, as addressed by Watkins (The Mine Wars) in a historical note--is finely detailed and beautifully told. While depictions of Asta and Pieta's struggles are heart-wrenching, their fierce sibling bond and inherent kindness toward others is an inspiring through line to this powerful tale. Ages 8--12. (Dec.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--This novel begins in Königsberg, East Prussia, where sisters Asta and Pieta, alongside their mother, endure the British bombings of their city. The horror escalates as the Red Army advances, compelling the family to flee to their grandparents' farm. Safety proves elusive and tragedy strikes, forcing them to embark on a perilous journey to the Baltic Sea. The story takes a disastrous turn when the family seeks refuge aboard an evacuation ship, the MV Wilhelm Gustloff. The overcrowded ship is torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, resulting in the highest death toll in maritime history, with over 9,000 lives lost. Miraculously, Asta and Pieta survive, only to face further hardships as they meet Gerhard, a boy who is also orphaned and desperate. The trio's journey becomes a fight for survival as they seek safety, warmth, and sustenance in a war-torn landscape. Their experiences highlight the devastating impact of conflict on innocent lives and the extreme measures they must take to endure. The title Wolves at the Door carries dual significance. On one level, it symbolizes the brutality of war and the relentless suffering it inflicts. On a more profound level, it refers to the plight of orphaned children, known as Wolfskinder, who roamed through Lithuania scavenging for survival, embodying both the physical and emotional challenges they faced. A powerful commentary on wartime inequities and the indomitable human spirit, this tale's exploration of historical horrors and their resonance with contemporary issues of displaced and orphaned children makes it a relevant and unsettling read. VERDICT This book's historical significance and poignant narrative offers a realistic, empathetic understanding of the impact of war. A compelling addition to libraries.--Lynne Stover
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In an effort to survive, two sisters in East Prussia navigate the war zone between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Having fled the bombing in Königsberg, 11-year-old Asta and 9-year-old Pieta are living with their mother on their grandparents' farm during the final months of World War II when the Red Army attacks. They're forced to flee to the ships carrying refugees to safety in mainland Germany; the family hopes to reach a cousin in Hamburg. But after a Soviet submarine torpedoes their ship, the girls make it into a lifeboat, but they tragically lose Mama and are left to fend for themselves. Gathered in a gymnasium with other orphans, Asta and Pieta bond with 10-year-old Gerhard. The trio set off on a dangerous journey by foot through bitter winter weather, hoping to reach Königsberg and then go on to Gerhard's aunt and uncle's farm in the Memel Forest. The vivid descriptions of the hardships faced by the East Prussian refugees, especially the tragic plight of the desperately scavenging Wolfskinder, or wolf children, shed light on this largely unknown chapter in World War II history. Watkins alternates between Asta's and Pieta's first-person viewpoints, offering glimpses into each sibling's psyche during times of hardship. This work, full of heart-wrenching details of hunger, sickness, and wartime violence, doesn't avoid the gruesome reality of the time. A haunting testament to the strength of the human spirit. (map, historical note)(Historical fiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
