News
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November 11, 2021 Boy from Berlin and One Boy’s War featured in the National Post
The Remembrance Day edition of the National Post devoted an entire page to the amazing story that inspired Nancy’s first two novels: Boy from Berlin and One Boy’s War. “It’s a fitting tribute to a brave and talented man who made a real contribution to the war effort,” Nancy says. Read the story here. November, 2021 One Boy’s War wins PenCraft Award Nancy was thrilled to learn that One Boy’s War has won a 2021 PenCraft Award for literary excellence in middle-grade fiction. PenCraft praised the novel, saying: “ this is an example of historical fiction that provides a riveting perspective of a time and its events to fascinate middle school readers. McDonald moves her adventurous story along quickly, keeping its intriguing plot always exciting and entertaining to read.” Read the entire review here: One Boy's War - Book Review - 2021 PenCraftAward Winner October 1, 2021 Nancy talks with FM107.7 host Jamie Cottle about Girl on the Run Nancy sat down with Jamie Cottle in the studio at 107.7 in Stratford to talk about her newly released novel, Girl on the Run. Jamie, who confessed that he loved the exciting, fast-paced story, wanted to know more about Nancy's interest in the rise of Nazism and why she thinks it's important for kids to learn about this period of history. He's invited her back next spring when the sequel is published! September 9, 2021 Girl on the Run officially launches Hot off the presses, Girl on the Run was officially launched Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Fanfare Books in Stratford, Ontario. More than 60 people came out to meet Nancy and hear a short reading from the book. COVID restrictions meant the event was divided into two parts – with the first reading at 7:20 pm and the second at 7:50 pm -- but making it a "drop in and out" affair didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. Everyone in attendance was thrilled to be there in support of the local author! September 2021 Praise from the BookLife Prize for Girl on the Run The BookLife Prize says: “A secret heritage from a dead mother, a wicked stepmother, and beloved adults and helpful strangers along the journey. Girl on the Run delivers a satisfying coming-of-age adventure for its clever young heroine in gently curated historical realism.” 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.” 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. 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. |