Interview and Giveaway with Anne Blankman!

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her “uncle” Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf’s, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can’t stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can’t help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she’s been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she’s always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she’s ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

Let me start by saying Prisoner of Night and Fog is technically a young adult novel (full disclosure and all that) but I thought it would be a great addition to our historical fiction here at The Mixed-Up Files, especially for our upper Middle-Grade readers.

Amie: I mentioned above that your book is technically YA, but how do you feel it will relate to the MG reader?

Anne: As a librarian, I’m a big believer in matching children with books…and holding off when they’re not quite ready for a particular title. PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG is geared for those 12 and older, so I don’t consider it too mature for the upper MG crowd, let’s say seventh and eighth graders. My story does deal with weighty issues, such as anti-Semitism and violence, though, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting it in a ten- or eleven-year-old’s hands. What MG readers will probably like the best is my book’s mystery…and some female readers may like the romance the most of all. 🙂

Amie: That’s a good point. My 10 year old read a book recently that was a YA for 12 and up and she adored it! I think it comes down to the individual child, their reading preferences, abilities, and maturity level. What was the most interesting thing you learned when writing this book?

Anne: Oooh, it’s hard to pick just one! The strangest detail I discovered is actually about Hitler’s mustache. The reason he sported such a bizarre, tiny mustache is because he thought it made his nostrils look smaller. Apparently he was very self-conscious about them!

Amie: Ha! A Napoleon complex of nostrils! Do you have a favorite MG book from childhood?

Anne: This is almost a cruel question! I can only pick ONE favorite book?Hmm, the first one that leaps to mind is THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE by Philip Pullman. Gorgeous writing, a thrilling plot, a Victorian London setting, and a gutsy heroine–really, what more could you ask for?

Amie: *Adds book to to-read list* We like to have a little fun here At MUF…so….Bed bugs or head lice? Farts or burps? Chocolate or vanilla?

Anne: I love these questions. Bed bugs for sure! Just the thought of little things crawling over my head wants me shudder. Ack! Definitely burps–it’s a compliment to someone’s cooking, right? And vanilla every time! Yum. Now you’ve made me hungry.

Thanks so much for having me “visit”, Amie!

Amie: Glad to have you, Anne!

Anne Blankman grew up in a small town in upstate New York. She studied history and English at Union College and earned a master’s degree in library science from the University at Albany. She has worked for several years as a librarian. Currently Anne lives with her college sweetheart husband, Mike, and young daughter, Kirsten, in southeastern Virginia, where the hot summers haven’t killed her yet. PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG is her first novel.

So, what do you say, Mixed-Up Members? Want to win a copy of Prisoner of Night and Fog? Well, you know what to do!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amie Borst writes twisted fairy tales. Cinderskella and Little Dead Riding Hood are the first two books in the Scarily Ever Laughter series. Find her on facebook and her blog.

MsFishby

By MsFishby on April 10, 2014 / Author Interviews, For Librarians, Giveaways

Sarah

10:29 pm on April 10, 2014

Thank you so much for doing the giveaway!! This book looks really good!

Bruce Luck

10:12 pm on April 10, 2014

Publishers stress that characters must face tough choices and it sounds as though Ms. Blankman has done that well.

Jessica R

9:36 pm on April 10, 2014

I love seeing interviews where Anne talks about her research and all the interesting things she has unearthed – like the reason behind Hitler’s moustache… so strange, but at the same time, oddly relatable. Great interview!

Kimberley Griffiths Little

6:28 pm on April 10, 2014

Ooh, Anne, we have similar tastes: I loved The Ruby in the Smoke!! For all the reasons you state. 😉

Brooke Einstein

6:05 pm on April 10, 2014

As a librarian at a Jewish day school I think this would really appeal to my students. And I am really looking forward to reading it too!

Kierra

5:07 pm on April 10, 2014

I adore historical fiction! I’ve yet to read a book placed in the 1930s, which is why I’m so interested to read from a perspective of the niece of Hitler!

Jared

4:03 pm on April 10, 2014

I’ve been looking for a good YA/MG historical fiction, and this looks like a fantastic one! Thank you for the interview.

Christina

3:51 pm on April 10, 2014

The premise of this book sounds so cool. I’ve seen the title around the blogosphere but I never read the synopsis until now. I can’t imagine if someone I loved and admired ended up being one of the worst people in history. Thanks for the giveaway!