Description
After a childhood cut short by war and the harsh strictures of Nazi Germany, sixteen-year-old Wilm is finally tasting freedom. In spite of the scars World War II has left on his hometown, Leipzig, and in spite of the oppressive new Soviet regime, Wilm is finding his own voice. It's dangerous, of course, to be sneaking out at night to leave messages on police buildings. But it's exciting, too, and Wilm feels justified, considering his family's suffering. Until one mission goes too far, and Wilm finds he's endangered the very people he most wants to protect.
Award-winning author Karen Bass brings readers a fast-paced story about a boy fighting for self-expression in an era of censorship and struggle.
Author Bio
Karen Bass is the award-winning author of a number of novels for young adult readers. Her novel Graffiti Knight won the CLA Young Adult Book Award, the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, the R. Ross Annett Award and the CAA Exporting Alberta Award, among other honors. Uncertain Soldier, winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, and The Hill were both nominated for the Forest of Reading Red Maple Award. Karen was a public library manager in Alberta for sixteen years before turning to full-time writing. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
Prizes
- Ontario Library Association Best Bets SelectionCommended 2014
- USBBY Outstanding International Books selectionWinner 2015
- Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book AwardWinner 2014
- B.C. Teen Readers' Choice Stellar AwardsShort-listed 2015
- B.C. Teen Readers' Choice Stellar AwardsNominated 2014
- Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice AwardShort-listed 2016
- Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice AwardShort-listed 2016
- Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens starred selectionNominated 2014
- Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young PeopleWinner 2014
- Bank Street Best BookCommended 2015
- Resource Links The Year's Best Selection 2013
- R. Ross Annett Literary AwardWinner 2014
- CAA Exporting Alberta AwardWinner 2014
Review Quotes
About Graffiti Knight
2014 Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People Winner
2014 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award Winner
2015 USBBY Outstanding International Books List: Grades 6–8 selection
2014 R. Ross Annett Literary Award Winner
2014 CAA Exporting Alberta Award Winner
2016 Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award shortlist
2015 B.C. Teen Readers' Choice Stellar Awards shortlist
2015 Bank Street Best Book selection
2014 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection
2014 Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection
2013 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection
"[A] gripping page-turner...The authentic setting, compelling characters and taut, suspenseful plot claim attention throughout. Bass refuses to oversimplify human beings...A different kind of war story, highly recommended."—Kirkus Reviews
"The last quarter of the book is nonstop action...Wilm is a flawed but engaging protagonist, prone to headstrong actions, and he matures believably over the course of the story."—School Library Journal
"Graffiti Knight shines a light on an experience about which there is little information....a good addition to any library."—VOYA
"[I]t has more drama than The Hunger Games."—Resource Links
"Bass has artfully recreated an historical time and place peopled by realistic, three-dimensional characters grappling with their own emotions and global forces they can only barely understand."—Quill & Quire
"[I]ncredibly gripping and informative. As young adult war-related historical fiction goes, this book is second to none...Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine
"An action-packed emotional story filled with foolishness, friendship and courage."—Calgary Herald
"[A] riveting page-turner that readers will find impossible to put down."—Canadian Children's Book News
"Award-winning author Karen Bass brings readers a fast-paced story about a boy fighting for self-expression in an era of censorship and struggle."—Oak Bay News
