Wolves at the Door

Gr 5 Up–This novel begins in Königsberg, East Prussia, where sisters Asta and Pieta, alongside their mother, endure the British bombings of their city. The horror escalates as the Red Army advances, compelling the family to flee to their grandparents’ farm. Safety proves elusive and tragedy strikes, forcing them to embark on a perilous journey to the Baltic Sea. The story takes a disastrous turn when the family seeks refuge aboard an evacuation ship, the MV Wilhelm Gustloff. The overcrowded ship is torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, resulting in the highest death toll in maritime history, with over 9,000 lives lost. Miraculously, Asta and Pieta survive, only to face further hardships as they meet Gerhard, a boy who is also orphaned and desperate. The trio’s journey becomes a fight for survival as they seek safety, warmth, and sustenance in a war-torn landscape. Their experiences highlight the devastating impact of conflict on innocent lives and the extreme measures they must take to endure. The title Wolves at the Door carries dual significance. On one level, it symbolizes the brutality of war and the relentless suffering it inflicts. On a more profound level, it refers to the plight of orphaned children, known as ­Wolfskinder, who roamed through Lithuania scavenging for survival, embodying both the physical and emotional challenges they faced. A powerful commentary on wartime inequities and the indomitable human spirit, this tale’s exploration of historical horrors and their resonance with contemporary issues of displaced and orphaned children makes it a relevant and unsettling read.