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Thu 3 Feb 2011

Posted by annastan [14] Comments

Win a copy of Anya’s War and other prizes! Details at the end of this post.

Anya inspected the first black page of her Book of Moons where she’d affixed the last photo Papa snapped in Odessa: of Anya shivering next to Mama and Georgi in the cold, in front of their old linden tree. Last January, she was still polite Anya of Pushkin Street, a good girl who talked a little too much but knew when to keep her mouth shut. For example, when her grandmother Babushka’s dumplings weren’t as delicious as their cook, Valentina’s; or when the secret police was patrolling her neighborhood because spies had reported anti-communist activity; or in case Mama was eavesdropping outside her new bedroom in Shanghai and might overhear her nightly prayer to God: Help me tell my mother, former diva of the Odessa Opera, I am too afraid to sing onstage. The two black corners holding the family photo were slightly crooked, the way she had left them before her birthday lunch this afternoon. She had constructed the booby trap so if Babushka was snooping again, Anya would catch her. Babushka couldn’t leave anything out of place. In her rage for order, she would have reset the corners — despite Anya’s warning on page one: To You, who wish to spy on my fond memories and deepest thoughts, Read at your own risk! Anya Rosen Excerpt © 2011 Andrea Alban

Anya inspected the first black page of her Book of Moons where she’d affixed the last photo Papa snapped in Odessa: of Anya shivering next to Mama and Georgi in the cold, in front of their old linden tree. Last January, she was still polite Anya of Pushkin Street, a good girl who talked a little too much but knew when to keep her mouth shut. For example, when her grandmother Babushka’s dumplings weren’t as delicious as their cook, Valentina’s; or when the secret police was patrolling her neighborhood because spies had reported anti-communist activity; or in case Mama was eavesdropping outside her new bedroom in Shanghai and might overhear her nightly prayer to God: Help me tell my mother, former diva of the Odessa Opera, I am too afraid to sing onstage.

The two black corners holding the family photo were slightly crooked, the way she had left them before her birthday lunch this afternoon. She had constructed the booby trap so if Babushka was snooping again, Anya would catch her. Babushka couldn’t leave anything out of place. In her rage for order, she would have reset the corners — despite Anya’s warning on page one:

To You,

who wish to spy

on my fond memories and deepest thoughts,

Read at your own risk!

Anya Rosen

Excerpt © 2011 Andrea Alban

About the book:

It is the eve of World War II. Anya Rosen and her family have left their home in Odessa for Shanghai, believing that China will be a safe haven from Hitler’s forces. At first Anya’s life in Shanghai is privileged and relatively carefree: she has crushes on boys, fights with her mother, and longs to defy expectations just like her hero, Amelia Earhart. Then Anya finds a baby, a newborn abandoned on the street. Amelia Earhart goes missing. And it becomes dangerously clear that no place is safe—not for Jewish families like the Rosens, not for Shanghai’s poor, not for adventurous women pilots. Based on the author’s family history, ANYA’S WAR is about finding strength within, when the world spins out of control.

What people are saying:

“An important addition to the literature about WWII refugees.” —Booklist Magazine

“… Anya’s Shanghai is richly chaotic, polyglot and packed with refugees. Russian, Yiddish, Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese and Italian pepper the dialogue… A delightfully textured glimpse at a little-remembered period of Jewish history.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Anya’s War by Andrea Alban tells a timeless story of love and danger in the setting of Shanghai, where many Jews fled to take refuge…(an) inspiring first novel of courage under duress.”—Maxine Chernoff, Poet and Author, Winner of the 2009 PEN Translation Award for The Selected Works of Friedrich Hölderlin

“This work of historical fiction is rendered all the more compelling by the integration of the author’s family stories. A fascinating read, Anya’s War gave me an insider’s perspective about this little known time in history.”–Kristin McCloy, author of bestselling novels Velocity, Some Girls, and Hollywood Savage.

“ Anya’s War is not just a terrific read but a loving act of cultural retrieval: the story of a Jewish girl and her family in Shanghai composed in spicy, effulgent, unforgettable prose and with vivid heartrending detail. A portrait of a bygone time and a forgotten exile, Andrea Alban is a major new voice.” —Alan Kaufman, author of Jew Boy

“Anya’s War is a powerful novel of cultures, adolescent emotions, aspiration, passion, fear and anticipation. Within it, we glimpse wartime China, its deep-seated traditions, structures, classes and beauty. (The book is)… rich with metaphor and reality, a powerful combination during an explosive era of world war and genocide. Alban’s writing style is structured, cogent and evocative.” —Charles Weinblatt, author of Jacob’s Courage, A Holocaust Love Story

Released: February 1, 2011 from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan

About the author:

Andrea Alban’s debut novel Anya’s War was inspired by her Jewish father’s childhood in war-torn Shanghai, a little known passage in holocaust history. She is also the co-creator with Lisa Burnett Bossi of nine books, greeting cards, and guided journals which draw on a love of family and nature’s wonders including The Happiness Tree (a Florida Children’s Book Award nominee), the bestseller, January’s Child: A Birthday Month Book , Ten Little Wishes, and Celebrating Motherhood .

A resident of San Francisco, Alban is a dynamic speaker at schools, museums, libraries and literary festivals throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Alban serves on the faculty of Book Passage and its annual Children’s Writer Conference, and coaches writers in the craft of fiction. You can visit her at www.andreaalban.com .

Giveaway:

Andrea and her publisher have been kind enough to contribute two sets of prizes for a giveaway! Each set will include a signed hardcover of Anya’s War , “double happiness” chopsticks, a recipe for Li Mei’s piroshki, and “Chopstick Rules, according to Anya.”

To enter simply leave a comment on this post.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada and ends on February 16th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Tags: Contest , Historical , Middle Grade , Realistic

Sarah says: February 3, 2011 at 5:29 pm This book looks really interesting, I can’t wait to read it! I’m a follower and I’ll post on FB.

This book looks really interesting, I can’t wait to read it!

I’m a follower and I’ll post on FB.

Kip says: February 3, 2011 at 7:12 pm Sounds fascinating!!

Sounds fascinating!!

Betsy Rosenthal says: February 3, 2011 at 7:40 pm I can’t wait to read Anya’s War. I know what a great writer and dynamic person Andrea is.

I can’t wait to read Anya’s War. I know what a great writer and dynamic person Andrea is.

Bethany says: February 3, 2011 at 8:44 pm Would LOVE to have this book!

Would LOVE to have this book!

Christy Evers says: February 4, 2011 at 1:35 am I love WWII books. Please include me. Thanks for the contest! I’m a new follower!

I love WWII books. Please include me. Thanks for the contest! I’m a new follower!

Leanne says: February 4, 2011 at 1:45 am This sounds like a wonderful story. I would love to read this book.

This sounds like a wonderful story. I would love to read this book.

Carol Wong says: February 4, 2011 at 8:24 pm I love immigrant stories, reading about Shanghai history and family history. If you ever get the chance to visit Shanghai, don’t miss out. It is a fascinating city, bursting with history. I would really love to read this story, it must be fascinating. CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

I love immigrant stories, reading about Shanghai history and family history. If you ever get the chance to visit Shanghai, don’t miss out. It is a fascinating city, bursting with history. I would really love to read this story, it must be fascinating.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol Wong says: February 4, 2011 at 8:30 pm I completely forgot to add I tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee888 http://www.firstpagepanda.com/2011/02/first-page-and-giveaway-anyas-war/ Giveaway of “Anya’s War” I also posted the link to my Facebook page.

I completely forgot to add I tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee888 http://www.firstpagepanda.com/2011/02/first-page-and-giveaway-anyas-war/ Giveaway of “Anya’s War”

I also posted the link to my Facebook page.

Carol Wong says: February 4, 2011 at 8:31 pm Plus I am a Google Connect follower and Twitter follower of this blog. CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Plus I am a Google Connect follower and Twitter follower of this blog.

ikkinlala says: February 6, 2011 at 7:03 am This looks fascinating.

This looks fascinating.

Ev Christensen says: February 7, 2011 at 2:17 am Sounds like an interesting book.

Sounds like an interesting book.

Elisabeth says: February 7, 2011 at 11:11 am I’m adding this one to my “to read” list – it sounds really good!

I’m adding this one to my “to read” list – it sounds really good!

Karen Einstein says: February 12, 2011 at 2:40 am I can’t wait to read this book! What a wonderful way to learn about the Jews in China.

I can’t wait to read this book! What a wonderful way to learn about the Jews in China.

Christy says: February 16, 2011 at 3:44 pm Sounds like a wonderful read ~ and a great giveaway! I’m a follower.

Sounds like a wonderful read ~ and a great giveaway!

I’m a follower.

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Featured Authors J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats

Andrea Alban

Crystal Allen

Sarah Aronson

Monica S. Baker

Hannah Barnaby

Rebecca Barnhouse

Hilari Bell

Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman

Julie Berry

Lauren Bjorkman

Jan Blazanin

Ellen Booraem

Hélène Boudreau

Julie Bowe

Robin Bridges

Leslie Bulion

Marissa Burt

Erin Cashman

Lara Chapman

Sheela Chari

Julie Chibbaro

Lena Coakley

Kristi Cook

Kate Coombs

Leah Cypess

Carole Estby Dagg

Karen DelleCava

Amy Fellner Dominy

Marissa Doyle

Deva Fagan

Beth Fehlbaum

Greg R. Fishbone

Janet Fox

Sonia Gensler

Cole Gibsen

Hilary Weisman Graham

Tessa Gratton

Alissa Grosso

Lia Habel

Teri Hall

Kiki Hamilton

Janice Hardy

Kim Harrington

Merrie Haskell

Danette Haworth

Cat Hellisen

Karyn Henley

Leanna Renee Hieber

Tess Hilmo

Amy Holder

Elissa J. Hoole

Jennifer Hubbard

Kirsten Hubbard

Denise Jaden

Terry Lynn Johnson

Mike Jung

Julie Kagawa

Julia Karr

Stasia Ward Kehoe

Lynne Kelly

Miranda Kenneally

Derek Taylor Kent

Kami Kinard

Jessi Kirby

Jo Knowles

Ron Koertge

R.L. LaFevers

Helen Landalf

April Lindner

Nikki Loftin

Natasha Lowe

Susan Lubner

Elisa Ludwig

Jenny Lundquist

Michaela MacColl

Christina Mandelski

Jessica Martinez

Shari Maurer

C. Lee McKenzie

Gretchen McNeil

Kate Messner

Dawn Metcalf

Erin Moulton

Erin E. Moulton

Kate Kae Myers

Anne Nesbet

Jennifer Nielsen

Kristin Wolden Nitz

A.J. Paquette

Rosanne Parry

Mitali Perkins

Gae Polisner

Cindy Pon

J.L. Powers

Joy Preble

Cheryl Rainfield

Michelle Ray

Jenn Reese

Diana Renn

Bettina Restrepo

Laurisa White Reyes

Nelsa Roberto

Joanne Rocklin

Lisa and Laura Roecker

Caroline Starr Rose

Randy Russell

Jeanne Ryan

Chris Rylander

Kimberly Sabatini

Peter Adam Salomon

Jeff Sampson

Tiffany Schmidt

Lisa Schroeder

Victoria Schwab

Mindi Scott

Ruta Sepetys

Medeia Sharif

Kristen Simmons

Angie Smibert

Clete Barrett Smith

J.A. Souders

Jessica Spotswood

Anna Staniszewski

Kiera Stewart

Lauren Strasnick

Sarvenaz Tash

Sarah Tregay

Audrey Vernick

Danette Vigilante

Sara Bennett Wealer

Dianna Winget

Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Allan Woodrow

Brian Yansky

Lara Zeises

Jennifer Ziegler

part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

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