Wolf, Joan M. 1966–

(J.M. Wolf)

Personal

Born 1966. Education: Bachelor's degree (education); Hamline University, M.F.A. (writing). Hobbies and other interests: Reading, drawing, painting Ukranian eggs, knitting, spinning, playing piano.

Addresses

Home—Minneapolis, MN. E-mail—joan@joanmwolf.com.

Career

Author and educator. Elementary-school teacher in Minnesota.

Awards, Honors

Cybil Award nomination for Middle-Grade Fiction, and Society of Midland Authors Literary Competition finalist, both 2008, both for Someone Named Eva.

Writings

The Beanstalk and Beyond: Developing Critical Thinking through Fairy Tales, Teacher Ideas Press (Englewood, CO), 1997.

Someone Named Eva, Clarion Books (New York, NY), 2007.

UNDER NAME J.M. WOLF

Cinderella Outgrows the Glass Slipper, and Other Zany Fractured Fairy-Tale Plays, Scholastic Professional (New York, NY), 2002.

Journal Activities That Sharpen Students' Writing, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2005.

Leveled Read-Aloud Plays: U.S. Civil Holidays, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2007.

Sidelights

A teacher as well as a writer, Joan M. Wolf has worked with both children and adults in her native Minnesota and her first books focus on educating young writers. Her first young-adult novel, Someone Named Eva, began as an assignment in a graduate-level writing program. In writing the book Wolf drew on her own family history and she even traveled to the Czechoslovakian village of Lidice, where the central events of the novel actually took place. Someone Named Eva "was inspired by the tragedy of Lidice and the frightening realities of the Nazi Lebensborn program," explained Wolf on her home page. "Although the significant events that happen in the book did take place, Milada, and the other characters in the book are fictional characters created to relay those events."

Set in 1942, Someone Named Eva focuses on a young girl named Milada as tragedy enters her small Czech village. In avenging the work of members of the Czech resistance, the Nazis enter Litice and kill all the men and boys, sent women to the Ravensbruck concentration camp, and farmed out ten Aryan children to German families. With her blonde hair and blue eyes, eleven-year-old Milada is one of these children, and she soon travels far from Lidice to attend a repatriation school that teaches German and obedience to the Fatherland. Renamed the German-sounding Eva, Milada finds her old life slowly being pushed from her mind by her school's determined teachers. Their goal, which is that of the Nazi's Lebensborn program, is simple: destroy Milada's memories through lies and brainwashing and transform her into a loyal Nazi.

Reviewing Someone Named Eva for Kirkus Reviews, a contributor predicted that Wolf's historical novel recounts a "little-known side of the Nazi era [that] will fascinate young readers." In School Library Journal Rachel Kamin was impressed with the novel and its focus on the effects of Hitler's war against Europe's Jews, writing that Wolf's "amazing, eye-opening story, masterfully written, is an essential part of World War II literature."

"I have always been interested in finding the ‘story within the story,’ Wolf explained on her home page. "I am fascinated by the way that ordinary people live through extraordinary historical events. I am also very interested in unearthing lesser known stories that are part of a larger well known historical event. I find it amazing to think that the big thing that we call ‘history’ is really made up of many individual stories. I want to be a recorder of those stories."

Wolf also shared some advice for beginning writers with SATA: "I have always loved writing stories and playing with words. There is something wonderful about being able to create stories that touch other people in some way. If you want to be a writer, I would encourage you to read everything you can get your hands on. Reading is what helps create great writers. And, of course, you must write, write, write. Try to make writing a regular part of your life so that you can develop and practice your skill. I believe in the power of words and the power that writers have to help make the world a better place!"

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2007, Hazel Rochman, review of Someone Named Eva, p. 63.

Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2007, review of Someone Named Eva.

Publishers Weekly, July 30, 2007, review of Someone Named Eva, p. 83.

School Library Journal, September, 2007, Rachel Kamin, review of Someone Named Eva, p. 211.

ONLINE

Joan M. Wolf Home Page,http://www.joanmwolf.com (September 15, 2008).