News
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September 2020 BookLife Prize weighs in on One Boy’s War
BookLife Prize declares One Boy’s War: “An adventure story with truly high stakes, this second in a series will capture readers while inviting further interest in historical circumstances. Young readers are unlikely to have encountered a hero like Käfer Avigdor.” May 2020 Boy from Berlin a finalist Boy from Berlin has moved to being a finalist in the Gertrude Warner award for middle-grade readers. Because of COVID 19, the award ceremony—which will select the winner—has been rescheduled to September 2020. Fingers crossed it wins! March 2020 Boy from Berlin and his family featured in Canadian Jewish News The March 12, 2020 edition of CJN published Nancy’s essay: The kindness of strangers, the remarkable story of what happened to Käfer’s Aunt Charlotte – and how she is remembered. Read the essay in CJN Perspectives here. November 14, 2019 Boy from Berlin shortlisted for Gertrude Warner award Nancy’s novel Boy from Berlin has been shortlisted for the 2019 Gertrude Warner awards which recognise emerging new talent and outstanding work in the genre of middle-grade readers. Named in honour of the author of the classic children’s series, The Boxcar Children, the Gertrude Warner book awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs). The finalists will be announced in April 2020. Fingers crossed Boy from Berlin wins the award for best middle-grade book! May 15, 2019 Boy from Berlin featured in Canadian Jewish News The May 15, 2019 edition of the Canadian Jewish News devoted a whole page to the story behind the writing of Boy from Berlin. Read Nancy's essay in CJN Perspectives here. January 15 – February 6, 2019 Nancy introduces Boy from Berlin to a whole new continent of readers While visiting India and Nepal, Nancy learned that Boy from Berlin hadn’t been discovered! Determined to remedy the situation, she introduced the novel to readers everywhere she went. From students in Delhi and Bhaktapur, to a ‘star’ of the Marigold Hotel movies in Jaipur, to regulars at Goa’s Biggest Bookstore in Panjim—even a traveller at the Taj Mahal in Agra—everyone was enthusiastic. Now, to see some sales from the region! September 19-24, 2018 Ms. McDonald goes to London Nancy was in London to do research for the sequel to Boy from Berlin, which follows Käfer’s exploits during the summer of 1940. A key locale in the novel is Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair. To ensure authenticity, Nancy got a thorough upstairs/downstairs tour -- from the roof to the basement -- from Nils Weise, Claridge’s Guest Services Manager. While in London, Nancy took the opportunity to make the rounds of the top booksellers to promote Boy from Berlin. From Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street, to Hatchards on Piccadilly; from The London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury to Word on the Water on Regent’s Canal, the response was positive and everyone most helpful. Next stop: get Boy from Berlin on the shelves of the high street bookshops! July 22, 2018 Nancy talks with CBC Fresh Air host Nana aba Duncan about Boy from Berlin Nancy sat down with Nana aba Duncan in Fresh Air's Toronto studio to talk about the story behind the writing of the book, what happens in Boy from Berlin -- and how readers are reacting to it! Listen to the interview here. The discussion was also streamed live on Fresh Air's Facebook page. Watch the whole segment here. June 22, 2018 Boy from Berlin receives its first media review Columnist and playwright Rick Whelan reviewed Boy from Berlin in the June 22, 2018 edition of the Beacon Herald. In his column, titled An inspiring tale just right for our times!, Whelan writes: “Boy from Berlin is a personal memoir wrapped in a history lesson encased in a rousing coming-of-age tale! McDonald is a gifted writer and in her debut novel she has rendered this harrowing tale of escape with imagination and the compelling craft of storytelling. And the best news for me personally is… she’s planning a sequel.” Read the full review here. June 7, 2018 Boy from Berlin officially launches Boy from Berlin was officially launched Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Fanfare Books in Stratford, Ontario. More than 80 people turned out to meet Nancy and hear two short readings from the book, after which she signed copies for about an hour. |