Waltraut
Set in early 1960s Canada, Waltraut is the story of the ten-year-old daughter of two post-World War II immigrants. Waltraut lives for weekends at German School (Saturdays) and the German Lutheran Church (Sundays) when she’s with her two best friends. Her friends are confident, but Waltraut struggles to find her place in the world, a situation made worse by merciless bullying from the kids (and some adults) at her elementary school.
When she gets the chance to spend the summer at church camp, Waltraut is thrilled. However, the camp director is always watching her, waiting to catch her breaking the rules. Even he is a bully to Waltraut. Luckily, Waltraut’s home life is good, especially when her fun-loving Papi is around. Her parents, scarred by the war, are also struggling to fit in in Canada.
This story includes a lot of subplots that aren’t really resolved, which was disappointing. Waltraut never gets her face-off with the bullies, for instance. Also, at 224 pages, it may be a bit long for a middle-grade novel.
There is a basic description of sexual intercourse when an older camp counselor tells the girls the facts, so they won’t be confused when they get their periods. It’s well done, but if this information is new to a child reader, expect questions. Ages 9-12.
