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All the Beautiful Things: The new historical novel from Australia's most beloved, multi-award winnning author.
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 with stories, trinkets and treasures from the outside world. 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.
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 with stories, trinkets and treasures from the outside world. 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.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
53 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Nannestad
43 books201 followersKatrina Nannestad is an award-winning Australian author. Her books include The Girl Who Brought Mischief, the Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Olive of Groves series, the Red Dirt Diaries series, the Lottie Perkins series and Bungaloo Creek.
Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighborhood stuffed full of happy children. Her adult years have been spent teaching, raising boys, perfecting her recipe for chocolate-chip bickies and pursuing her love of stories. She now lives near Bendigo with her family and an exuberant black whippet called Olive.
Katrina grew up in country New South Wales in a neighborhood stuffed full of happy children. Her adult years have been spent teaching, raising boys, perfecting her recipe for chocolate-chip bickies and pursuing her love of stories. She now lives near Bendigo with her family and an exuberant black whippet called Olive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 8, 2025
Anna lived with her little sister Eva and their Mutti, who worked in a hotel at night, among the Germans, overhearing things she could pass on, and leaving Anna home to care for Eva. Anna was only twelve, but knew the dangers surrounding them. Eva was frail, not healthy as per the rules of Germany, so was hidden away, quiet as a little mouse, when anyone - especially the Germans - were around. But soon the risks became too high, and Eva needed to be shifted to a place totally isolated, where no one would find her. Anna's best friend Udo lived on a farm with his father, a place Eva loved to visit; Gunther was there and was always kind to Eva. But soon the war invaded their lives, their happiness, and things changed. Would any of them survive the end of the war...
All the Beautiful Things by Aussie author Katrina Nannestad is another exceptionally written book, with excellent characters and although based on fact, the story is fiction. Eva is an absolute delight, soft, calm and loving, a gentle child, while her big sister Anna is a feisty, determined and courageous girl, always doing her utmost to keep Eva happy and safe. I loved it! Highly recommended.
All the Beautiful Things by Aussie author Katrina Nannestad is another exceptionally written book, with excellent characters and although based on fact, the story is fiction. Eva is an absolute delight, soft, calm and loving, a gentle child, while her big sister Anna is a feisty, determined and courageous girl, always doing her utmost to keep Eva happy and safe. I loved it! Highly recommended.
February 28, 2025
3.5☆
⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ started: february 25th
⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ finished: february 28th
pre read: im excited for this one ! this is my fourth book by this author, but i havent read one since 2023, i hope i like it !
⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ started: february 25th
⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ finished: february 28th
pre read: im excited for this one ! this is my fourth book by this author, but i havent read one since 2023, i hope i like it !
November 9, 2024
A gentle, courageous story set in a mountainside German village during World War 2. Beautiful characters, intrigue and a ton of kindness, make this an excellent read. Katrina’s historical books are an absolute pleasure to read, not only for the stunning stories, but the beautiful feel of the physical books; hardback, quality paper, stunning illustrations and endpapers. An experience to savour.
February 23, 2025
Full of history about the German Youth, use of propaganda, Hitler’s inner circle, and forced euthanasia—all presented at an age appropriate level. Great choice for middle grade readers interested in history.
Please note—could see it being a little upsetting for children with a disability or family member with a disability, but the message and ending are positive.
Please note—could see it being a little upsetting for children with a disability or family member with a disability, but the message and ending are positive.
April 9, 2025
This book was absolutely amazing,
But towards the end I couldn’t bear the tears that were falling from my face. Katrina nanestad really knows how to convey a mood she truly did make me feel how the characters felt not just at the end but throughout the whole story.
I am glad that at least at the very end of the book it worked out for everyone.
And those are the reasons I rated it five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
But towards the end I couldn’t bear the tears that were falling from my face. Katrina nanestad really knows how to convey a mood she truly did make me feel how the characters felt not just at the end but throughout the whole story.
I am glad that at least at the very end of the book it worked out for everyone.
And those are the reasons I rated it five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 22, 2025
All the beautiful things by Katrina Nannestad is about Anna, a brave girl living in Nazi Germany. She is pretending to be a lovely, strong and perfect Hitler girl while Anna actually hates him. She hides her little sister Eva and two other girls to keep them safe. Anna’s friendships and family start to fall apart, but she still finds hope and beauty in small things, even during a scary time.
October 10, 2024
Beautiful. Heart wrenching, heartbreaking and heart warming all at once. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an early copy Harper Collins!!!!
June 13, 2025
A fantastic historical fiction book for both children and adults alike! A great way to open conversations about the horrors of war. Beautiful characters that you fell in love with.
Read
March 4, 2025Listened to this as an audiobook.
January 17, 2025
Once again, Katrina Nannestad has written a book that makes you cry with both tears of joy and sadness. This story is full of love, how people can be both "monsters" and "angels" and live in a world where atrocious happen, yet still manage to find hope. And at the same time,. make this digestible for children! I loved how Katrina always focuses on a new aspect of the second world war, this time being the persecution of the 'other', particularly those with disabilities. It was less confronting than some of her other books, but just as powerful!
March 18, 2025
Once again Australian children’s author Katrina Nannestad has conveyed real, and at times distressing and violent, past events relating to World War 2 that is provides clarity and different perspectives on horrors from different races of people affected by Nazism. In this instance the book is told from a German perspective with the two main characters desperately trying to withstand the local prejudice against the disabled and disfigured and those of different beliefs including Jews and the Roma.
The book starts when Anna and her friend Udo are eleven, living in Hitlers home town, facing the restrictions and hardships of wartime life as best they can. All German children are members of the Nazi organisations for young people where they,are taught to love and obey the Fuhrer, give the Nazi salute when required, perform acts of patriotism and train to bear arms as future soldiers. Both have a secret - Anna a hidden impaired younger sister who sees the people in her enclosed world through shining eyes as as 'beautiful', and Udo whose father is a doctor and sheltering a mentally damaged young man suffering shell shock. As time passes and the children grow older they become more deeply involved with those who do not support Hitler and run the risk of capture and punishment as traitors.
Although the main characters are fictional, Nannestad peppers her story with real and well know people that surround Hitler and were in his entourage. This is a compelling story that celebrates difference, the bonds of family and friendship, forgiveness and finding joy in the small things that we encounter every day. Martina Heiduczek’s soft pencil illustrations add to the unfolding story.
The book starts when Anna and her friend Udo are eleven, living in Hitlers home town, facing the restrictions and hardships of wartime life as best they can. All German children are members of the Nazi organisations for young people where they,are taught to love and obey the Fuhrer, give the Nazi salute when required, perform acts of patriotism and train to bear arms as future soldiers. Both have a secret - Anna a hidden impaired younger sister who sees the people in her enclosed world through shining eyes as as 'beautiful', and Udo whose father is a doctor and sheltering a mentally damaged young man suffering shell shock. As time passes and the children grow older they become more deeply involved with those who do not support Hitler and run the risk of capture and punishment as traitors.
Although the main characters are fictional, Nannestad peppers her story with real and well know people that surround Hitler and were in his entourage. This is a compelling story that celebrates difference, the bonds of family and friendship, forgiveness and finding joy in the small things that we encounter every day. Martina Heiduczek’s soft pencil illustrations add to the unfolding story.
October 14, 2024
Anna’s little sister, Eva, is different to other children. She is frail and needs time to learn things but she also has a huge heart and always sees the beauty in things. But in 1940s Germany, those who are different are not valued and so Eva is hidden away. Anna, her mother, her best friend Udo, her doctor and a Nazi seamstress all take huge risks to keep Eva and others like her safe from the constant threat of discovery.
If I had read this as a child, it would have immediately become my favourite book. I was so happily surprised to find that this was set in Berchtesgaden, a town in Bavaria that has always fascinated me after reading about it as a child and it remains high on my travel list! This book is aimed at children 10 and up but it doesn’t shy away from the serious aspects that are important to the story and the time period (e.g. the murder of those with disabilities is discussed). This book celebrates differences and disabilities and it beautifully shows the way everyday people made selfless decisions to take care of those at risk under Nazi rule. I highly recommend for children and adults alike!
“There’s a place for everyone… We just have to find it.”
“The world is a jigsaw puzzle, every person a unique piece. There’s a space for each one, but it must be the space made just for them.”
Thanks to Harper Collins Kids for a gifted copy.
https://www.instagram.com/ceebee.reads/
If I had read this as a child, it would have immediately become my favourite book. I was so happily surprised to find that this was set in Berchtesgaden, a town in Bavaria that has always fascinated me after reading about it as a child and it remains high on my travel list! This book is aimed at children 10 and up but it doesn’t shy away from the serious aspects that are important to the story and the time period (e.g. the murder of those with disabilities is discussed). This book celebrates differences and disabilities and it beautifully shows the way everyday people made selfless decisions to take care of those at risk under Nazi rule. I highly recommend for children and adults alike!
“There’s a place for everyone… We just have to find it.”
“The world is a jigsaw puzzle, every person a unique piece. There’s a space for each one, but it must be the space made just for them.”
Thanks to Harper Collins Kids for a gifted copy.
https://www.instagram.com/ceebee.reads/
December 2, 2024
First sentence: 'Come on, Anna! Take a swing at me!' Udo bounces around on the landing at the top of the stairs. The floorboards squeak and creak beneath the balls of his feet.
Premise/plot: All the Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad is historical fiction set in Germany during the second world war.
That isn't much of a summary. YET, this one is so wonderful, so compelling, so moving, and yes, beautiful, that words do not do it justice...at all. No matter what I say--short or long--it won't capture what this book IS and how it makes one feel.
Anna has a younger sister, Eva, whom she must hide from the Nazis. Eva is too "different" mentally, intellectually, to be a part of the ideal race. She has developmental needs which would make her expendable, let's say. But hiding comes with a cost....
Again, I can't do this book justice.
My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE love this one. It is beautiful. It is heartbreaking. It reminds me--emotionally speaking--of The Book Thief. The narrative, the characterization, the story, everything was practically perfect in every way. This may not be a super-easy story being set during World WAR II, but it is a story that is worth it.
Premise/plot: All the Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad is historical fiction set in Germany during the second world war.
That isn't much of a summary. YET, this one is so wonderful, so compelling, so moving, and yes, beautiful, that words do not do it justice...at all. No matter what I say--short or long--it won't capture what this book IS and how it makes one feel.
Anna has a younger sister, Eva, whom she must hide from the Nazis. Eva is too "different" mentally, intellectually, to be a part of the ideal race. She has developmental needs which would make her expendable, let's say. But hiding comes with a cost....
Again, I can't do this book justice.
My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE love this one. It is beautiful. It is heartbreaking. It reminds me--emotionally speaking--of The Book Thief. The narrative, the characterization, the story, everything was practically perfect in every way. This may not be a super-easy story being set during World WAR II, but it is a story that is worth it.
April 6, 2025
I loved this book, like all the other 'war' books by Katrina Nannestad! It's a book of diversity, change and love. I LOVEEEEEE little Eva. She's like soooooo cute.
*SPOILERS AHEAD* I also love Baby Mouse (Zina) so much. Honestly, like .... errr... I want the little kiddys to cry on me. Like don't get me wrong.... THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!!!! 😍 *SPOILERS DONE*
Anyways.... I love this book so much. By the way, this is not about the book, but about the author, Katrina is much an amazing author. Her books inspired me to learn so much about the Holocaust and now ... I'm kinda obsessed!
*SPOILERS AGAIN 😅* Udo.... I love him at the start; brave, fierce (in a good way) and playful at the same time. But as the book travels along, I think maybe Anna has a little crush!! OooOooh! Moving along again, Udo seems... distant, like there but not really there. It's a hard shell; no emotions anymore, focused on 'tickets.' Then... he' gone. Kicked the bucket. For real. Forever. *SPOILERS DONE*
To leave on a positive note, I overally really liked this novel.
*SPOILERS AHEAD* I also love Baby Mouse (Zina) so much. Honestly, like .... errr... I want the little kiddys to cry on me. Like don't get me wrong.... THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!!!! 😍 *SPOILERS DONE*
Anyways.... I love this book so much. By the way, this is not about the book, but about the author, Katrina is much an amazing author. Her books inspired me to learn so much about the Holocaust and now ... I'm kinda obsessed!
*SPOILERS AGAIN 😅* Udo.... I love him at the start; brave, fierce (in a good way) and playful at the same time. But as the book travels along, I think maybe Anna has a little crush!! OooOooh! Moving along again, Udo seems... distant, like there but not really there. It's a hard shell; no emotions anymore, focused on 'tickets.' Then... he' gone. Kicked the bucket. For real. Forever. *SPOILERS DONE*
To leave on a positive note, I overally really liked this novel.
May 30, 2025
I read this wonderful book as writer who is interested in middle grade/young adult fiction. Despite having been a high school History teacher, I normally avoid anything to do with the Holocaust, as I find it way too sad. And whilst the book is sad in many ways (especially for me as I have a daughter with disabilities), this is easily one of the most beautiful and poignant books I have ever read. The messages, themes, and articulately presented snippets of hope make this book 'magic', as Eva would say, and caused me to see the endless possibilities in a world that often overlooks beauty. The references to historical facts are seamlessly integrated and cleverly woven into the plot. This story will stay with me for a very long time. This is the first book I have read by Katrina Nannestad, but it certainly won't be the last. If you want to raise conscientious, kind, and empathetic children, buy them this book to read when they are old enough to deal with the societal issues within. I highly recommend!
November 29, 2024
Katrina Nannestad always manages to write such heartfelt and sweet stories of adversity during horrible circumstances. All of her books set during WWII explore children’s perspectives from all sides of the conflict and I think the fact these stories are based on real events makes them all the more special.
This one was less traumatic than many of the others, as the MC was not personally being persecuted. It was more a story about love and keeping her sister safe. Little Eva is portrayed so well in this story. She’s full of childhood innocence and wonder at everything in life and is just the sweetest, purest little soul.
As you can predict though, it’s not a gentle story. There is little in the way of on page violence, but you couldn’t live during WWII and not be affected. Despite everything it’s a story full of hope and well worth a read.
This one was less traumatic than many of the others, as the MC was not personally being persecuted. It was more a story about love and keeping her sister safe. Little Eva is portrayed so well in this story. She’s full of childhood innocence and wonder at everything in life and is just the sweetest, purest little soul.
As you can predict though, it’s not a gentle story. There is little in the way of on page violence, but you couldn’t live during WWII and not be affected. Despite everything it’s a story full of hope and well worth a read.
April 2, 2025
Set in WW2 this is the story of sisters Eva and Anna. Anna is capable, strong and caring, she looks after her little sister Eva who has physical and mental challenges, she is very frail and sickley. They keep her close to the home so that she isn't picked on or sighted by the Nazis because they've heard that those considered imperfect and not the Aryian ideal are taken away and that terrible things can happen to them. This book is about the challenges they face, the dangers that lurk around every corner and about always wondering who they can trust as the net around them draws ever tighter.
This is a lovely story written with warmth and heart but I just wanted a little bit more. It has a teeny bit of clunkiness. I'm guessing, however that if a child wanted to read about WW2, that this would be a nice book to have sitting alongside others of it's kind. My hypercritical eye might have been a bit active and from a child's perspective it might work really well.
This is a lovely story written with warmth and heart but I just wanted a little bit more. It has a teeny bit of clunkiness. I'm guessing, however that if a child wanted to read about WW2, that this would be a nice book to have sitting alongside others of it's kind. My hypercritical eye might have been a bit active and from a child's perspective it might work really well.
May 19, 2025
I give this a universe of stars, a whole galaxy of stars. This is a beautiful book. I ordered it from Australia via EBay and I was worried it wouldn’t be worth the money it took to get it to Canada but wow was I wrong! It is a fantastic read. Nannestad expertly crafts tension and characters that had me deeply caring about every single one of them and kept me frantically flipping the pages. It broke my heart but yet infused it with so much hope at the end. Nannestad is an expert researcher yet writes in a way that gets the facts across without reading like a textbook. I will absolutely be forking over my money to order her other two historical fiction books from Australia without any regrets as well as ordering another copy of this book for my school library. Just a beautiful book that has echoes of The Book Thief (Rudy = Udo) and an excellent commentary on kindness, the resiliency of humanity, and the resistance of parts of German society during WWII.
July 18, 2025
All the Beautiful Things by @katrina_nannestad
Gosh, this YA novel had me in tears! I part-listened, part-read this wonderful story, told effortlessly through the eyes of a young girl growing up in a small Bavarian village next to Hitler’s holiday home.
Blonde and blue-eyed, Anna is everything Hitler idealises in German children – but she hates Hitler and his hateful ideology, which excludes her scrawny sister, Jews, Sinti, and more.
Anna is all the things: brave, kind, naughty, and daring.
Set in the stunning Bavarian Alps, this story beautifully explores what war was like for children: both those swept up in Hitler Youth fanaticism and those quietly resisting. The cast of eclectic characters is marvellous. Of course, it wouldn’t be a book about the Second World War if everyone survived unscathed ...
A nostalgic, gentle, and heart-breaking story I couldn’t put down.
🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️
#bookreview #wwii #berghof #bavaria #amreading
Gosh, this YA novel had me in tears! I part-listened, part-read this wonderful story, told effortlessly through the eyes of a young girl growing up in a small Bavarian village next to Hitler’s holiday home.
Blonde and blue-eyed, Anna is everything Hitler idealises in German children – but she hates Hitler and his hateful ideology, which excludes her scrawny sister, Jews, Sinti, and more.
Anna is all the things: brave, kind, naughty, and daring.
Set in the stunning Bavarian Alps, this story beautifully explores what war was like for children: both those swept up in Hitler Youth fanaticism and those quietly resisting. The cast of eclectic characters is marvellous. Of course, it wouldn’t be a book about the Second World War if everyone survived unscathed ...
A nostalgic, gentle, and heart-breaking story I couldn’t put down.
🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️
#bookreview #wwii #berghof #bavaria #amreading
February 25, 2025
Our Review...
In her latest middle fiction book, Katrina Nannestad has crafted a sensitive and powerful historical fiction for children that will widen their hearts and minds.
Little Eva is different to other kids, and bring different creates great risk in the world of the Nazi regime.
It's her big sister Anna's job to keep Eva safe and shield her from further harm should she be discovered.
Bringing little snippets of joy to her sister's life is not always easy as Anna is exposed to immeasurable darkness in the war time. But surrounded by beautiful people like her best friend Udo, gives Anna a deep inner strength.
Exploring the truths of war and discrimination, Nannestad brilliantly writes books for children that pass on important lessons for future generations through the power of storytelling.
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
In her latest middle fiction book, Katrina Nannestad has crafted a sensitive and powerful historical fiction for children that will widen their hearts and minds.
Little Eva is different to other kids, and bring different creates great risk in the world of the Nazi regime.
It's her big sister Anna's job to keep Eva safe and shield her from further harm should she be discovered.
Bringing little snippets of joy to her sister's life is not always easy as Anna is exposed to immeasurable darkness in the war time. But surrounded by beautiful people like her best friend Udo, gives Anna a deep inner strength.
Exploring the truths of war and discrimination, Nannestad brilliantly writes books for children that pass on important lessons for future generations through the power of storytelling.
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
January 11, 2025
All the Beautiful Things is a remarkable introduction to Katrina Nannestad's work, and I can't wait to explore more of their books. This story masterfully balances the harsh realities of wartime with messages of hope, courage, and resilience. Written in a way that is accessible to upper primary and lower high school readers, it also offers plenty of depth and emotion to captivate adult readers.
The characters’ bravery and determination are truly inspiring, and their struggles and triumphs stay with you long after the final page. The author handles the wartime setting with a perfect balance—realistic and thought-provoking without being overwhelming for younger readers.
This is the kind of book that sparks meaningful discussions and encourages empathy across all age groups. It’s a beautifully written and deeply moving story, ideal for classrooms, book clubs, or personal reading.
The characters’ bravery and determination are truly inspiring, and their struggles and triumphs stay with you long after the final page. The author handles the wartime setting with a perfect balance—realistic and thought-provoking without being overwhelming for younger readers.
This is the kind of book that sparks meaningful discussions and encourages empathy across all age groups. It’s a beautifully written and deeply moving story, ideal for classrooms, book clubs, or personal reading.
January 21, 2025
All the Beautiful Things:
This book follows Anna’s Journey throughout WWII and supporting her sister Eva (who is a bit different) while the Nazi’s, the SS and the Gestapo try to find her.
I absolutely love Katrina Nannestad’s books about war. My all time favourite book of hers is Rabbit, Soldier, Angel Thief. I saw this in my local bookstore and was super dooper excited. Katrina’s books are so sad and heart wrenching but the detail is so amazing, this book follows that trend.
Rating:
2x⭐️ - Amazing detail
1x⭐️ - so heart wrenching
2x⭐️ - surprisingly accurate
-.5⭐️ - Felt a bit short
————————————
4.5 ⭐️
great book with lots of detail
This book follows Anna’s Journey throughout WWII and supporting her sister Eva (who is a bit different) while the Nazi’s, the SS and the Gestapo try to find her.
I absolutely love Katrina Nannestad’s books about war. My all time favourite book of hers is Rabbit, Soldier, Angel Thief. I saw this in my local bookstore and was super dooper excited. Katrina’s books are so sad and heart wrenching but the detail is so amazing, this book follows that trend.
Rating:
2x⭐️ - Amazing detail
1x⭐️ - so heart wrenching
2x⭐️ - surprisingly accurate
-.5⭐️ - Felt a bit short
————————————
4.5 ⭐️
great book with lots of detail
February 10, 2025
Katrina Nannestad has once again written a beautiful and thought provoking book set during WW2, this time dealing with the persecution of 'the others', in particular people with disabilities.
'All the Beautiful Things' is a heartfelt story about courage, family, friendship, resilience, and love during the horrible circumstances of war. It will make you cry tears of both joy and sadness. It will warm your heart and break your heart, and leave you on a note of hope. Sensitively written in a way that makes it a suitable historical fiction read for both middle grade readers and adults alike. I highly recommend this book.
'All the Beautiful Things' is a heartfelt story about courage, family, friendship, resilience, and love during the horrible circumstances of war. It will make you cry tears of both joy and sadness. It will warm your heart and break your heart, and leave you on a note of hope. Sensitively written in a way that makes it a suitable historical fiction read for both middle grade readers and adults alike. I highly recommend this book.
May 7, 2025
This book has a poignant balance of heartbreaking and heart warming. I read this beautiful book to my son and we both thoroughly enjoyed it, despite how sad it is at times. I enjoyed the WWII history that is woven around the mostly fictional characters with a sprinkling of actual people from that time in Germany. I’ve read a lot of WWII stories but not so many from the perspective of the Germans. All the Beautiful Things takes its name from little Eva, a girl who suffers many hardships during the war but who has an incredible spirit and ability of finding beauty in the smallest of things. Through themes of love, courage, sacrifice, family and friendship this book clearly shows us what the important things in life are.
January 25, 2025
Love. Family. War. These three words describe the essence of All The Beautiful Things. We laugh with Eva. Cry with Anna. Mourn with Udo. A captivating story of a little girl, locked away, hidden, who still sees beauty in the little things. A story about a girl who would do anything to keep her sister safe. A story of a best friend who becomes a hero. This powerful historical fiction novel will take you through the lives of Eva, Anna, and Udo, and give you a glimpse of what life would have been like for children living in Nazi Germany.
January 20, 2025
I didn't fall in love with this novel as much as I have Katrina Nannestad's other fiction. It had all the elements I enjoy - families, WWII German history, hiding from the Nazi's, friends and enemies - but didn't always hit the mark. Still it's a great story of what life was like as the war neared it's end and how the differing attitudes towards Hitler and the Nazi's within a small community managed to fit together and rub along to survive.
May 23, 2025
This was a lovely/heartbreaking/tender children's story about the history of WWII. I thoroughly enjoyed this & found the writing beautiful, coming from a 26 year old first time mum. It's not too confronting but doesn't shy away from the truth of that time period & how people suffered. The end was bittersweet & had me teary eyed.
This will definitely be staying on the bookshelves for my children to read in the future.
This will definitely be staying on the bookshelves for my children to read in the future.
January 13, 2025
AN AMAZING BOOK 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
When Anna first met Eva Braun I was relieved and grateful that she had unintentionally saved Eva, Anna's little sister. But my adoration for Eva Braun made me feel even more cheated when I found out Eva Braun was Hitler's wife. The fact that a book could make me feel these emotions was very inspiring.
When Anna first met Eva Braun I was relieved and grateful that she had unintentionally saved Eva, Anna's little sister. But my adoration for Eva Braun made me feel even more cheated when I found out Eva Braun was Hitler's wife. The fact that a book could make me feel these emotions was very inspiring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
Read with my 12 year old granddaughter, this was an excellent novel of Germany in WWII. It was a good way for children to begin to understand the tragedy wrought by Adolph Hitler. The focus was on three children the Third Reich tried to eliminate - a Jewish child, a Gypsy child and a disabled child. The novel also demonstrated there were Germans who did not agree with Hitler.
April 17, 2025
This a beautifully written novel about how magic can be found even in the Middle of World War 2. The simple writing style was easy to read, and the ending destroyed me. It was a little slow in the first half, and the other three books I've read by Katrina Nannestead were better, but it was still a solid 3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews