Hollow Chest, Brita Sandstrom
Hollow Chest, Brita Sandstrom
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
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Hollow Chest

Author: Brita Sandstrom

Narrator: Gary Furlong

Unabridged: 8 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/08/2021


Synopsis

Debut author Brita Sandstrom arrives with an unforgettable modern folktale of the darkness around and inside us, and the courage it takes to keep hope alive. “Hollow Chest is remarkable on so many levels—its exquisite writing, its startling originality, its deep empathy. An astonishing debut.” —Anne Ursu, award-winning author of The Lost Girl Charlie has been having nightmares. Eyes watching him in the night, claws on his chest, holding him down. His dreams have been haunted for years, ever since German bombs rained down on London, taking his father’s life, taking his city’s spirit, taking his beloved brother, Theo, off to war in France.Now Charlie is left to take care of his grandpa Fitz while his mother works, waiting for the day when Theo will come home. And with World War II nearly won, that day is almost here. Grandpa Fitz warns Charlie that soldiers sometimes come back missing a piece of themselves, but Charlie isn’t worried. Whatever Theo has lost, Charlie will help him find it. When Theo finally does return, though, he is cold and distant. But Charlie refuses to accept that the brother he knew is gone, and soon, he discovers the reason for his brother’s change: war wolves. Terrifying ancient beasts who consume the hearts of those broken by grief. The wolves have followed soldiers back home from the front. And if Charlie truly wants to save Theo, he’s going to have to find them and get his brother’s heart back. But can a heart that’s been eaten ever be replaced?

About Brita Sandstrom

Brita Sandstrom is a graduate of Hamline University’s MFA program in writing for children and young adults. Hollow Chest is her first book. She lives with her family and collection of cats in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can find her online at www.britasandstrom.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Christine on March 18, 2021

I somehow followed a World War II theme after recommending The Girl from the Channel Islands last month. Sandstrom’s middle-grade debut novel centers on twelve-year-old Charlie who lives in post-war London with his mom, grandpa, and cat Biscuits. A World War I veteran, his one-armed grandpa prepares......more

Goodreads review by Brita on April 30, 2023

Charlie has been longingly waiting for his brother Theo to return home from the war. When he finally arrives, he has lost his previous mobility and his optimistic spirit. He no longer laughs at Charlie's jokes and seems to be a completely new person who is existing, just to serve. Grandpa Fitz calls......more

Goodreads review by Becky on September 06, 2021

First sentence: The scream of the air raid siren cut off abruptly when Charlie opened his eyes, like a hand had come down to strangle it. Premise/plot: The war is almost but the war wolves are still hungry. Charlie, our protagonist, is one of the few who has never been to war himself yet can see plai......more

Goodreads review by Cindy (leavemetomybooks) on July 12, 2021

Hollow Chest was a haunting, moving, beautifully-written middle grade story set in London near the end of World War 2. Charlie lives with his mother and grandfather (a WWI veteran), and his faithful cat companion, Biscuits (BISCUITS!!!). His older brother, Theo, finally returns from fighting in Fran......more