Thanks to the Winnipeg Free Press for their review of A Storm Unleashed

"Veteran Winnipeg writer Carol Matas has penned A Storm Unleashed (Scholastic, 236 pages, softcover), a gripping, authentic novel ... about Mia, a young girl trying to focus on her hobbies and visiting with her grandparents with her beloved dog, even as the Nazi stranglehold increasingly restricts Jewish life in Germany before the Second World War. Children aged 9-12 will revel in this compelling story that recounts a lesser-known aspect of the Nazi plan to terrorize and subjugate people."  Harriet Zaidman, The Free Press, June 20, 2026

A Storm Unleashed included in new Manitoba Holocaust curriculum

Back (left to right): Mike Moroz, Tracy Schmidt, Kelly Hiebert,
Belle Jarniewski  Front: Carla Compton, Carol Matas

What an honour! The Manitoaba Minister of Education and Childhood Learning, Tracy Schmidt, chose to announce the new mandatory Holocaust curriculum at the launch of A Storm Unleashed on November 10. A Storm Unleashed is a recommended resource for grade 6! Also there to support the announcement and the book launch were Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology, and Carla Compton, MLA for Tuxedo.

Tracy Schmidt announcing
the new Holocaust curriculum

Belle Jarniewski, Executive Director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, and Kelly Hiebert, teacher and Holocaust scholar, discussed the book with me and participated in a lively discussion.

Many thanks to the Jewish Heritage Centre, which sponsored and organized the launch. The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and Scholastic Canada were also sponsors. And to friends, family, teachers, attendees, thank you for coming! What a great turnout! And a special thanks to my nine-year-old granddaughter who assisted me in the book signing!

First Review in for A Storm Unleashed

 Delighted to see A Storm Unleashed as a November Children's Book Pick in the Calgary Herald. 

"This historical fiction of bravery in the times of Nazi terror is an important read."

Book Birthday for A Storm Unleashed!

September 16 is pub day for A Storm Unleashed. Available for order at Indigo, which named it as one of Indigo's Most Anticipated Canadian Books. Also available at McNally Robinson Booksellers.

Twelve-year-old Mia lives in Berlin with her veterinarian father and beloved dog, Max. It's 1935, and life in Germany has changed radically — especially for Jewish families like Mia's. She tries to focus on things she loves: her best friend Frieda, training Max, birdwatching, and visiting her grandparents' farm ... but storm clouds are gathering.

Under Hitler's rule, antisemitism is now official state policy. Jewish people are quickly losing their rights and protection and are subject to random violence. Mia is vilified and treated cruelly by her teachers and fellow students. And a girl from the Nazi Youth has decided to take Max for herself. Meanwhile, Mia and father find themselves caught up in Hitler's plot to create an army of dogs.

Can Mia navigate this new reality and find a way to keep her loved ones safe? Even if she does, what will be the cost?

A Storm Unleashed has been sold To Australia!

 Kids in Australia and New Zealand will soon be reading A Storm Unleashed. 

This is the announcement made by my agent Amy Tompkins:

"Andrew Berkhut at Scholastic Australia has acquired Carol Matas's middle grade novel, A Storm Unleashed. Scholastic Australia's edition will be published in early 2026. Maral Maclagan at Scholastic Canada handled the deal for English rights in Australia and New Zealand. Carol Matas is represented by Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency, who is representing translation rights."

A Storm Unleashed — Coming this Fall!

My new middle grade novel, A Storm Unleashed, will be out this fall with Scholastic Canada. Set in 1933-35 Berlin, it is the story of Mia and her beloved dog Max . It chronicles Germany’s rapid descent into fascism from democracy and the unleashing of a rising storm of hatred against the Jews and Hitler’s “enemies.” Mia, Max, her family and her friends find themselves in a terrifying reality.

The novel also explores the little-known story of Hitler's dog army, which he created as part of his preparation for war and in order to subdue the groups he was rounding up and sending to concentration camps.