Rats and Wolves
(Polish original title Szczury i wilki)
Nasza Księgarnia Publishers, 2009

Copyright info: Rights belong to the author and publisher

Henryk (Heinrich) is fifteen and he calls himself a true Pole. He zealously defends the “purity” of Polish blood. Henryk’s authority is Adolf Hitler and his bible is Mein Kampf. “No mercy for the enemy. Showing mercy is a sign of weakness. The sick must be separated from the healthy. Cretins, dwarves, Jews, and degenerates must be eliminated to correct nature’s mistakes,” Henryk fanatically repeats these words after the leader of a neo-Nazi organization. Ruthlessly and brutally, he translates Hitler’s words into action. But does he really understand what’s at stake? Would he be so committed to the “cause” if he went through the hell of Auschwitz himself?

Rats and Wolves reminds us all that Nazi sentiments can still poison our youth.

The novel received honorable mention in the Book of the Year 2009 competition organized by the Polish Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).