Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Knopf Books for Young Readers (2014), Hardcover, 288 pages
Description
"Kalinka, a Ukrainian Jewish girl on the run from the Nazis, finds unlikely help from two rare Przewalski horses"--
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Young Adult — 2016)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Kalinka is on the run and fighting for her survival in the Ukrainian steppe. She's escaped but her entire family and most of her town were executed by Nazi troops. She finds temporary respite at a game shelter when her paths cross with a pair of rare Przewalski's horses who seem to have a deep
Show More
connection with the girl. She meets Max and things for a moment seem safe. But soon the horses and the girl are on the run for their lives. While the book started slowly for me, it soon hooked me in with the compelling survival story and a unique view of the Holocaust. Show Less
LibraryThing member muddyboy
This book would be fine for junior high and early high school aged students. The book is about a young Jewish girl whose entire family has been killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust and is on the run in the Ukraine. At a break neck pace she tames two highly endangered Przewalski's horses and
Show More
adopts them as well as a dog. Now she must save the whole group from the Germans which is made easier by the fact that the animals are smarter than humans in this book. This is a highly romanticized and simplistic story that you never doubt its end from the first page. Show Less
LibraryThing member PaperDollLady
The Winter Horses by Philip Kerr
A YA tale of survival in a time of war. It takes place on the steppes of Ukraine during World War II and some of that country's history is so neatly interlaced in the tale that it just fits in as part of the characters' back story and not a lesson.
Kalinka is Jewish
Yet Kalinka is not the only heroic character. There's Maxium Borisovich Melnik (Max) and his wolfhound, Taras. Max helps when Kalinka comes to his cottage with the bleeding and wounded mare horse. He's the last of the animal keepers on the reserve and offers the pursued girl and two horses food and a warm nearby hiding place. The old man knows horses and he has had to keep an uneasy truce with Captain Grenzmann, whose mount Max must groom daily. Max wants to keep the Przewalshi's horses safe. He knows their line is an ancient breed and that their likeness has been found painted on the walls of early cave dwellers. In her hiding place with the dog, Taras, as guard, Kalinka also paints images of the horses on the walls. The drawings are unable to be wiped off by Max once Kalinka and the special creatures must flee from the SS for their lives. Will the paintings of the horses be their undoing?
As the reader follows the trail of the pursued and their pursuers, we discover that not all Germans are bad. Kalinka comes across Captain Stammer. He's a German soldier but not a Nazi and his unit must run too, or rather retreat, because the Red (Russian) Army is advancing. Since Stammer is kind to Kalinka and the horses, she even gives him cigarettes and Schnapps that she's swiped out of the motorcycle sidecar of her SS pursuers.
Enough particulars given to whet one's curiosity, I hope. Be sure to pick up this finely woven, quick-paced YA book. It's certainly a praiseworthy tale for readers of all ages.
A YA tale of survival in a time of war. It takes place on the steppes of Ukraine during World War II and some of that country's history is so neatly interlaced in the tale that it just fits in as part of the characters' back story and not a lesson.
Kalinka is Jewish
Show More
and she escaped when her whole family and village had been gunned down by the SS. So too has a pair of breeding horses escaped when their herd had been nearly exterminated by the SS. But Kalinka is a horse whisperer and she has plain old common horse sense like the Przewalski's horses on the Askaniya-Nova reserve. She and the horses form a bond and stay on the run together. They're resourceful, stealthy, and cunning while fighting off wolves, bitter cold, and hunger on the Askaniya-Nova. The reserve is swarming with enemy Nazis, and Captain Grenzmann, who calls the rare horses a forbidden breed, must execute his orders of their extinction.Yet Kalinka is not the only heroic character. There's Maxium Borisovich Melnik (Max) and his wolfhound, Taras. Max helps when Kalinka comes to his cottage with the bleeding and wounded mare horse. He's the last of the animal keepers on the reserve and offers the pursued girl and two horses food and a warm nearby hiding place. The old man knows horses and he has had to keep an uneasy truce with Captain Grenzmann, whose mount Max must groom daily. Max wants to keep the Przewalshi's horses safe. He knows their line is an ancient breed and that their likeness has been found painted on the walls of early cave dwellers. In her hiding place with the dog, Taras, as guard, Kalinka also paints images of the horses on the walls. The drawings are unable to be wiped off by Max once Kalinka and the special creatures must flee from the SS for their lives. Will the paintings of the horses be their undoing?
As the reader follows the trail of the pursued and their pursuers, we discover that not all Germans are bad. Kalinka comes across Captain Stammer. He's a German soldier but not a Nazi and his unit must run too, or rather retreat, because the Red (Russian) Army is advancing. Since Stammer is kind to Kalinka and the horses, she even gives him cigarettes and Schnapps that she's swiped out of the motorcycle sidecar of her SS pursuers.
Enough particulars given to whet one's curiosity, I hope. Be sure to pick up this finely woven, quick-paced YA book. It's certainly a praiseworthy tale for readers of all ages.
Show Less
LibraryThing member aine.fin
Nice fairytale-type story that I read very quickly. Set in Ukraine during World War II, Kalinka is rescuing two Prewalski's horses from being eliminated by the invading German army. Many flights of fancy in this novel but highly enjoyable. A young adult book but still suitable for anyone with an
Show More
interest in history or horses. Show Less
LibraryThing member TBE
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
It will soon be another cold winter in the Ukraine. But it's 1941, and things are different this year. 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.
Show More
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. 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.
Show Less
LibraryThing member agingcow2345
It reads well. Its a fun fable. Minus one star for getting elementary geography and chronology wrong.
LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
3.5 Stars
This book turned into something unexpected for me. Not necessarily a bad thing as the turns were interesting in their own right, but my expectations going in and how the book started made me not appreciate them as much as another reader might.
I went into the book expecting an engaging
I also liked the secondary characters; they were well-fleshed out and enthralling. Of course, Max shines as Kalinka’s savior. A sweet older man who has made it his life’s work to protect and work with the animals on his preserve, he stands as a bright light against the darkness of persecution and despair. I even liked the Nazi Captain Grenzmann. He had a certain charm about him, even though he also embodied all that was evil about the Nazis. He actually illustrated well how scary the Nazis could be: outwardly helpful and charming but willing to put a bullet in your head at the slightest cause on the inside.
The main animal characters of Temujin, Borte, and Taras were also given pretty strong personalities, to the degree that they could hold “conversations” with Kalinka and each other. They had distinct personality traits like stubbornness, protectiveness, and a strong will.
This is actually where the book started to go in a different direction than I expected. It never comes out the animals are having actual conversations with Kalinka; it’s more like an intuitive knowing what the other is trying to get across and what-not. Yet, it’s enough that the book slides into historical fantasy rather than a survival/WWII story. Those elements are still there, but the fantasy elements start to take over, with more and more of these “conversations” happening to the point that they are most of the exchanges we see.
There’s also the whole tomb thing as the finale of the book. That is pretty much ENTIRELY fantasy with visions, dream chats, and help from celestial bodies. Maybe the animal conversations were building up to this so it wouldn’t completely feel out of step with the book, but I was still jarred. I was looking for more of a realistic showdown/resolution with the chasing Nazis rather than this fantastical stuff. Left me a bit disappointed and feeling cheated.
So not a bad book but not what I was expecting. I loved the characters, even the horses and dog, as well as the WWII/survival elements. The story itself was suspenseful and kept me engaged. But the heavy presence and use of fantasy elements drove the book into unexpected directions and left me jarred. They didn’t work for me. Maybe another reader would appreciate them and like them better. I don’t know.
This book turned into something unexpected for me. Not necessarily a bad thing as the turns were interesting in their own right, but my expectations going in and how the book started made me not appreciate them as much as another reader might.
I went into the book expecting an engaging
Show More
survival story against the elements (Ukraine in winter, enough said!!), escape from the Nazis, and a helping hand from fellow humans. And I got all those. Kalinka was a smart girl who found herself swept up into the tragic events of the Holocaust and WWII. Striking out on her own across Nazi-occupied Ukraine, she finds help from some unexpected quarters. I found her journey through the many parts of this devastated land suspenseful and illuminating for her character.I also liked the secondary characters; they were well-fleshed out and enthralling. Of course, Max shines as Kalinka’s savior. A sweet older man who has made it his life’s work to protect and work with the animals on his preserve, he stands as a bright light against the darkness of persecution and despair. I even liked the Nazi Captain Grenzmann. He had a certain charm about him, even though he also embodied all that was evil about the Nazis. He actually illustrated well how scary the Nazis could be: outwardly helpful and charming but willing to put a bullet in your head at the slightest cause on the inside.
The main animal characters of Temujin, Borte, and Taras were also given pretty strong personalities, to the degree that they could hold “conversations” with Kalinka and each other. They had distinct personality traits like stubbornness, protectiveness, and a strong will.
This is actually where the book started to go in a different direction than I expected. It never comes out the animals are having actual conversations with Kalinka; it’s more like an intuitive knowing what the other is trying to get across and what-not. Yet, it’s enough that the book slides into historical fantasy rather than a survival/WWII story. Those elements are still there, but the fantasy elements start to take over, with more and more of these “conversations” happening to the point that they are most of the exchanges we see.
There’s also the whole tomb thing as the finale of the book. That is pretty much ENTIRELY fantasy with visions, dream chats, and help from celestial bodies. Maybe the animal conversations were building up to this so it wouldn’t completely feel out of step with the book, but I was still jarred. I was looking for more of a realistic showdown/resolution with the chasing Nazis rather than this fantastical stuff. Left me a bit disappointed and feeling cheated.
So not a bad book but not what I was expecting. I loved the characters, even the horses and dog, as well as the WWII/survival elements. The story itself was suspenseful and kept me engaged. But the heavy presence and use of fantasy elements drove the book into unexpected directions and left me jarred. They didn’t work for me. Maybe another reader would appreciate them and like them better. I don’t know.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TBE
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
Show More
the world and have never been domesticated. But the preternaturally intelligent creatures quickly—and improbably—bond 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! Show Less
LibraryThing member Cherylk
I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a long time. I finally picked it up to read it. I am a horse lover. While I did enjoy the horse aspect of this book, I could not keep the story in my head as I was reading it. Kind of like an outsider trying to look in. However, an unforgettable book.
This book is rated starting at 12 years old. This might be a little low for some children. Just due to the little bit of violent scenes in this book. There was not a lot of gory details given which was good. Yet, still as an adult you may want to be prepared to have to explain to your child about the actions of the Germans and their relationship towards Jews.
Show More
This sadden me as I did like Kalinka. She was a brave girl full of innocence. This is why I feel like the horses were drawn to her. This book is rated starting at 12 years old. This might be a little low for some children. Just due to the little bit of violent scenes in this book. There was not a lot of gory details given which was good. Yet, still as an adult you may want to be prepared to have to explain to your child about the actions of the Germans and their relationship towards Jews.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
During World War II 15-year-old orphan girl, Kalinka, is hiding in a large animal reserve in the Ukraine, Askania Nova. The Nazi's killed her entire family and village, and the yellow star on her coat marks her out for murder also. Meanwhile, the elderly Max is caretaker on the reserve along with
Kalinka has befriended the lead stallion and mare of the Przewalski's, which is unheard of. Both Kalinka and Max separately witness the machine gunning of the herd by the Germans. When Kalinka returns to her hiding place she discovers that the stallion and injured mare have escaped and are there also. The only person she can approach for help is Max. Max and Kalinka make a wonderful team, he feeds her and removes the bullet, then finds them shelter. It quickly becomes too dangerous as the Germans are hunting the horses and so Max sends them, along with his wolf-hound, to try and make their way to safety with the Red Army.
Based loosely on the real shooting of Przewalski's horses in Askania Nova by the Nazis during WWII, this is a compelling story as adult readers will know that the same attitude the Nazi's have towards the horses is the same as that they have towards the Jewish people.
Show More
his trusty wolf hound. His boss had told him to kill all the animals before the Germans arrived and used them for food, but Max simply cannot do it. Captain Grenzman arrives with his SS soldiers, and Max believes that the well-educated man will spare the animals, especially his beloved untamable and critically endangered Przewalski's horses which date back to caveman times. Then winter arrives and the soldiers kill the animals off one by one. Only the small herd of Przewalski's are left. Grenzman tells Max that he has received his orders from Berlin to remove this 'biologically unfit species'.Kalinka has befriended the lead stallion and mare of the Przewalski's, which is unheard of. Both Kalinka and Max separately witness the machine gunning of the herd by the Germans. When Kalinka returns to her hiding place she discovers that the stallion and injured mare have escaped and are there also. The only person she can approach for help is Max. Max and Kalinka make a wonderful team, he feeds her and removes the bullet, then finds them shelter. It quickly becomes too dangerous as the Germans are hunting the horses and so Max sends them, along with his wolf-hound, to try and make their way to safety with the Red Army.
Based loosely on the real shooting of Przewalski's horses in Askania Nova by the Nazis during WWII, this is a compelling story as adult readers will know that the same attitude the Nazi's have towards the horses is the same as that they have towards the Jewish people.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Barbaralois
Very good story. A young girl running from the German S.S. to save the valuable wild horses she has befriended. as well as find a place for herself
LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
"The Winter Horses" was a blend of historical fiction, survival and folklore. I liked 14-year-old Kalinka and old Max, the animal reserve's caretaker as protagonists. Both had suffered cruelties at the hands of the Nazis, but they remained kind, compassionate and forgiving. While I found the
Show More
dialogue stilted and boring I thought the author described the harshness and desolation of the Ukrainian steppe in detail, so it was easy to imagine the bleakness that Kalinka and animals had to endure. For young animal lovers the inclusion of the Russian wolfhound, Taras, and the two Przewalski's horses would be a welcomed addition to this book. However, as an adult, I found that the intelligence of these animals, and the horses in particular, was just too over-the-top to be believable. I know animals are incredibly smart, but really?! While I didn't mind this book, I think it would be a hard sell for its intended audience. Show Less
LibraryThing member charlie68
A pretty good read lots of themes, horses, World War 2, paleontology, history. Whether young readers will like it is an open question. I thought it was pretty good.
ISBN
0385755430 / 9780385755436