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."

First presentation of A Storm Unleashed

I was thrilled to present A Storm Unleashed to teachers at the Manitoba Social Sciences Association Conference on October 24. We had two sold out sessions. I was so fortunate to do the sessions with Kelly Hiebert, a Holocaust education scholar. Here I am preparing for the session. And here we are right after the sessions were over. Lots of great questions. Many attendees had already read the book and told me they loved it.  

I am looking forward to the book launch of  A Storm Unleashed on November 10. Belle Jarniewski, director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, and Kelly Hiebert, Holocaust scholar and history teacher, will be joining me in a discussion of my middle-grades novel.

Praise for A Storm Unleashed

Available now at Indigo and McNally Robinson Booksellers

"A Storm Unleashed is an important book for our time. Mia is a 12-year-old girl in Berlin in 1935. She and her dog Max have grown up surrounded by love. But with Hitler’s rise to power, all she sees, and feels, now is hate. And when a member of the Hitler Youth threatens to take Max away, Mia realizes that the country she once knew and felt safe in is changing.

In this book, Carol Matas brilliantly sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Hitler’s power – his army of 200,000 dogs. Matas centres the story on Mia’s lived experience - her love for her dog Max, her caring relationship with her Jewish veterinarian father, as well as with her non-Jewish grandparents and aunt on her mother’s side. When Mia can no longer ignore the antisemitism she’s experiencing in school, she realizes she has to pay attention to what’s going on in her country and to the people (and dog) she loves.

A Storm Unleashed not only tells a moving and accessible story leading up to World War II and the Holocaust, but shows young readers the importance of being engaged during turbulent times, while also leaning into hope and love." — Sidura Ludwig, author of  Rising

"Gripping, revealing, heart-pounding and hopeful, this meticulously researched novel breaks new ground and is an outstanding addition to Holocaust literature. This masterfully written novel should be utilized in classrooms everywhere." — Liza Wiemer, Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award-winning author of The Assignment

"A powerful story about tragedy, terror and survival. We can learn of a dark past to create a brighter future." — Eric Walters, author of King of Jam Sandwiches

"A Storm Unleashed is a powerful and, at times, raw and terrifying fictionalized, but no less harrowing, story of one girl’s account in Nazi Germany. Despite this book being set in 1935, during the rise of Hitler, so much of what Mia experiences could easily be written about today’s rise in disinformation, propaganda, and antisemitism: “It is an odd feeling knowing a large portion of the country believes things that are simply not true. I can’t help but wonder if I also believe things that aren’t true. If so, how would I know?” A relatable, if difficult read that will keep kids turning the page to find out what happens to Mia and her beloved dog, Max, while sneakily teaching them about history, democracy, a little philosophy, and what could come again if we aren’t careful." — Joanne Levy, author of All the Things We Found.

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.

Two new book deals for publication this year!

Transatlantic Agency has just announced two book deals! And, I'm thrilled that both these new books will be published in 2025.

Kar-Ben has acquired my picture book, Kai and the Golem, illustrated by Elisa Vavouri, for publication in the spring of 2025. In Kai and the Golem, nothing seems to be going right for Kai: it’s raining every day, he doesn’t get what he wants for breakfast, and he misses his Bubbe, who’s in the hospital. He doesn’t know what’s going on, but he begins to wonder if a golem is to blame! 

Scholastic Canada has acquired my next middle grade Holocaust novel, Mia & Max, for publication in fall of 2025. In Mia & Max, a Jewish girl and her beloved dog are both in danger as the Nazis rise to power in 1930s Berlin.

The Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2024

 Yay! Zevi Takes the Spotlight has been included in the CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2024 in the Hi-Lo Middle Years Fiction category .

Winnipeg launch of three middle grade novels

What a wonderful evening at McNally Robinson booksellers where I joined Sidura Ludwig, author of Swan and Rising, and Colleen Nelson, author of Mystery at the Biltmore and The Umbrella House. We read from our books - mine being Zevi Takes the Spotlight - and we had a conversation about writing for middle grade readers. My special guest was my twelve-year-old grandson who read with me. 

Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb

Many thanks to Deborah Kalb for her blog interview about my two latest books: Zevi Takes the Spotlight for middle grades.

"I wanted to write a fun book but a book that would get kids thinking about what fame really is. I started noticing that young people have gone from wanting to become scientists, or vets, or firefighters, to YouTube influencers. It seemed to me that fame had become the goal, not the result of hard work or inspiration. So, something to mull over."

Exciting news for Zevi Takes the Spotlight

 Zevi Takes the Spotlight has been chosen by School Library Journal as one of 42 Stellar Middle Grade books for 2024.

MATAS, Carol. Zevi Takes the Spotlight. Orca.
Gr 4-7–This hi-lo title excels in the genre, packaging an accessible, dyslexia-friendly text with a compelling plot and likable protagonist whose journey readers will happily follow.

More great news for Zevi Takes The Spotlight

What a wonderful review from the Association Of Jewish Libraries (AJL).

“Prolific Canadian author Carol Matas has another winner with this fun middle-grade novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, Jewishness, friendship, and the extraordinary…The plot is entertaining, the portrayals of family and friendships are positive and the inclusion of Jewish practices and values are few, but important, especially at the conclusion of the book, set at the family Shabbat dinner table.”—Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)

Plus: School Library Journal has included Zevi Takes the Spotlight in their Top Trends in SLJ's Starred Books/ The 2024 Stars issue!

A Big Honour for Zevi Takes the Spotlight

Zevi Takes the Spotlight has been chosen by the Children's Book Council for their BUILDING A HOME LIBRARY list of books for ages 12-14.

"A brand-new 2024 Building a Home Library book list –organized by age groups from 0 to 14– is now available.

Experts in children’s literature at the Ingram Content Group have compiled a vibrant range of genres, formats, and subject matter, with a focus on diversity of voices and from a wide range of publishers large and small.

From board books to graphic novels, picture books to middle-grade fiction, the new Building a Home Library list is a fantastic resource for all parents, caregivers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers."

Zevi Takes the Spotlight "Highly Recommended" by CM

Zevi Takes the Spotlight just got the most amazing review from CM: Canadian Review of Materials. I'm not just thrilled, I'm touched. I can only put a few lines here but read the whole review and you will see what I mean. 

“Action-packed, with danger and adventure in every chapter…the story delves into Zevi’s Jewish heritage and culture in a natural way that is enlightening and interesting for readers. Highly Recommended.”

Zevi Takes the Spotlight gets a Star!

Zevi wants to be a star so it's wonderful that he has received his first review and it comes with a star from School Library Journal!  The book will be published in early April 2004 by Orca Book Publishers and I can't wait!

⭐️ Zevi Takes the Spotlight:

“Zevi is Jewish, and this important part of his identity is skillfully woven throughout the narrative. This hi-lo title excels in the genre, packaging an accessible, dyslexia-friendly text with a compelling plot and likeable protagonist whose journey readers will happily follow." 

Highly recommended

Ready for preorder now:

 McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnpeg, Manitoba

 Barnes and Nobles 

 Amazon

A Struggle for Hope officially launched Nov 4

Many thanks to Belle Jarniewski, Executive Director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, for doing such a terrific job of hosting the virtual launch of A Struggle for Hope as part of Holocaust Education Week. We had a "packed house," and I have received so many congratulations and so many enthusiastic responses to our presentation. I hope you will take the time to click below and watch it.

Attention teachers: The video is a wide-ranging discussion about the Holocaust, racism, and how fascism can take hold in any democratic society. It also talks about "story" and how stories can be used for good or for ill. 

This event was jointly sponsored by Scholastic Canada, McNally Robinson Booksellers Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Jewish Federation and The Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada. 

A Struggle for Hope book signing

Delighted to sign books at McNally Robinson Booksellers.

 Click here to order A Struggle for Hope from McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg.
Also available from other Canadian booksellers.  

Cloning Miranda Rights Sale to Korea/Sakyejul Publishing

Cloning Miranda was originally the first of a three-book series I published with Scholastic Canada. The series was translated into numerous languages all over the world and is still used widely in German schools in an English edition.

A few years ago I had the idea to update the science and revamp the book. A small independent publisher, Fictive Press, also liked the idea. We decided we would combine all three books into one big story. Then I began an extensive revision. I'd say about half the book has been revised – including sentence by sentence. But we didn't feel it was enough to rename it as a new book, so we stuck to the original title and published it.

This is our first big foreign rights sale and I couldn't be happier.

The novel asks some big questions – like, what does it mean to be human? It delves into the moral issues of genetic engineering and cloning and would be a fun book to read and discuss in schools.

Science Fiction can tackle the big questions.

I love to think about the big questions and I love to write about the big questions. 

Thanks so much to Lindsey Carmichael for hosting me on her blog so that I can talk about science fiction and how it is perfectly suited for tackling big questions like, "What does it mean to be human?"

The 2023 author edition of Cloning Miranda is available in Kindle and print.

                                                                                                             

Voting! Elections! Democracy! Tyranny!

Tucson Jo is a book written for this very moment. I encourage parents and teachers to introduce it to the young people around them. This middle grade novel is about an election. In this election a populist runs for mayor of Tucson, Arizona, in 1882. His opponent is a Jewish man who believes in the rule of law. Guns are used to intimidate. So is Antisemitism. Jo is the eldest daughter of the Jewish family—and all she wants is freedom, freedom to wear pants, for instance! But even Jo is fooled by her father's populist opponent, believing anarchy will mean freedom. But anarchy is not freedom and she soon discovers that. What is true freedom? An important question to ask, fundamental to our democracy.

With elections coming up in the United States, in 2020, I will be available for school/ Skype visits  to discuss civics, gun violence, feminism, and the importance of politics and voting in our lives.

Tucson Jo was a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist.