The Winter Horses

February 1, 2014
Kerr, well-known for his best-selling World War II thrillers for adults (A Man Without Breath, 2013, etc.), enters YA territory with a compelling but ultimately flawed tale of saving the last Przewalski's horses from Nazi invaders. Elderly Max has been caretaker of the Ukrainian nature preserve Askaniya-Nova all his life, from its inception by a gallant German baron at the beginning of the century through torture and destruction during World War I and even now, as the Nazis invade. Max initially believes the Germans will, like his former master, be kind to him and the animals in the preserve, particularly the small herds of Przewalski's horses, some of the last on Earth of a very ancient breed. Meanwhile, Kalinka, a 15-year-old Jew orphaned by a German pogrom, has escaped to the steppe and makes friends with two of the remarkable horses, who are renowned for both their wildness and their cunning. Fast-paced action and interesting history (Askaniya-Nova still exists; the horses have been restored there) keep readers turning the pages, but the distant, omniscient point of view will prevent them from becoming truly engaged in the characters' plight. Flat dialogue often sounds as though it's coming from a tour guide, not a Russian peasant, and the abrupt ending doesn't fully satisfy. Though marketed for teens, it reads more like an adventure for children. A worthwhile-enough read for kids particularly interested in history and/or horses. (Historical fiction. 10-14)

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March 1, 2014

Gr 6-8-This story follows the harrowing journey of Kalinka, a Jewish orphan searching for safety, and the horses that provide her with comfort, power, and hope. Set in 1941 in war-torn Ukraine, Kerr's novel is also a tale of survival-not only Kalinka's, but of Przewalski's horses, a rare breed of wild horse that dates back tens of thousands of years. The story opens on the Askaniya-Nova animal sanctuary where Max, the longtime caretaker, has been ordered by the SS to kill all of the animals, including the nearly extinct Przewalski's horses. As Max struggles with the demands of a cruel Nazi officer who has turned the reserve into his headquarters, he meets Kalinka who is travelling alone after witnessing the deaths of her family. With Max's guidance and support, Kalinka and the last pair of the horses embark on a jouney across the Ukranian wilderness. As Kalinka faces frightening obstacles, her ability to communicate with the horses and other fantastical elements give her the courage to face serious threats and her own fears. Threads of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Hansel and Gretel" contribute to the sense that this is an "old" story handed down through generations. Like the best stories told around a campfire, it is spellbinding, but it can also be terrifying. Ultimately, The Winter Horses ends on a note of hope and triumph-for both Kalinka and the horses. Kerr's novel will be enjoyed by readers who like a touch of fantasy in their historical fiction.-Shelley Sommer, Inly School, Scituate, MA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2014
Grades 7-12 The year is 1941. The place, Ukraine. After her entire family is murdered by invading Nazis, Jewish teen Kalinka finds herself alone on the vast Ukrainian steppe until she encounters two Przewalski's horses. These prehistoric animals, depicted in ancient cave paintings, are the rarest horses in the world and have never been domesticated. But the preternaturally intelligent creatures quicklyand improbablybond with Kalinka, and along with a Russian wolfhound named Taras, the three flee for their lives from the invading Nazis, who are determined to exterminate the horses, which they consider to be an inferior species. Their flight is a perilous one, as they are beset not only by the Germans but also by the forbidding winter weather, wolves, and even cannibals! Can they possibly survive these vicissitudes? Best-selling adult author Kerr presents his story as legend, not historical reality, which gives him the latitude necessary for his plot's improbabilities and anthropomorphized animals. Though sometimes didactic and slightly contrived, the story is nevertheless engaging and exciting and is sure to appeal to horse lovers and fans of survival fiction. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: It's big news that the best-selling author of the Bernie Gunther novels for adults has moved into children's literature, and the full-court marketing campaign for this title reflects that.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
In 1941, Jewish orphan Kalinka finds herself on the frigid Ukrainian steppe, in the Askaniya-Nova reserve, with two rare Przewalski horses, struggling to survive the ravages of Nazi occupation. Max, the reserve's elderly caretaker, risks everything to help Kalinka hide. Despite lumbering plotting, this unique survival-adventure story is set within a country whose contemporary strife makes its history all the more relevant.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)