The Winter Horses by Philip Kerr

The Winter Horses

Philip Kerr

Random House Children's Books · Paperback · February 10, 2015

From Philip Kerr, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bernie Gunther novels, comes a breathtaking journey of survival in the dark days of WWII in Ukraine, a country that remains tumultuous today.

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Who it’s for
A wartime survival story where a hidden girl and rare horses share a fragile refuge.
Themes
Survival under Nazi occupation, Human-animal bonds, Endangered wildlife
Genres
YA Horse Stories, War & Military YA, Historical YA - Europe

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For younger readers: Saving Hanno, I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (i Survived #9)

For older readers: The Perfect Horse

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About this book

From Philip Kerr, the New York Times bestselling author of the Bernie Gunther novels, comes a breathtaking journey of survival in the dark days of WWII in Ukraine, a country that remains tumultuous today. This inspiring tale captures the power of the human spirit and is perfect for fans of The Book Thief, Milkweed, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It will soon be another cold winter in the Ukraine. But it's 1941, and things are different this year.

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Max, the devoted caretaker of an animal preserve, must learn to live with the Nazis who have overtaken this precious land. He must also learn to keep secrets—for there is a girl, Kalinka, who is hiding in the park. Kalinka has lost her home, her family, her belongings—everything but her life. Still, she has gained one small, precious gift: a relationship with the rare wild and wily Przewalski's horses that wander the preserve. Aside from Max, these endangered animals are her only friends—until a Nazi campaign of extermination nearly wipes them out for good. Now Kalinka must set out on a treacherous journey across the frozen forest to save the only two surviving horses—and herself.

Survival in Winter

A wartime survival story where a hidden girl and rare horses share a fragile refuge.

Come here for

  • Wartime survival shaped by a hidden girl and rare horses
  • A serious historical story centered on animals and human courage

Expect

  • Secrecy and danger in occupied Ukraine
  • A trek through frozen forest to save two surviving horses

Where it sits

YA Horse Stories36%
Historical YA - Europe34%
War & Military YA31%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • YA Horse Stories
  • YA Orphan & Foster Stories
  • Holocaust Stories for Teens
Authors
Philip Kerr
Publisher
Random House Children's Books
Published
February 10, 2015
Format
Paperback
Theme
Survival under Nazi occupation · Human-animal bonds · Endangered wildlife
Reading lane
YA Horse Stories