Sandy Brehl

Winner of 2014 Midwest Book Award for Children's Fiction, Odin's Promise is a middle-grade historical novel, a story of the first year of German occupation of Norway as seen through the eyes of a young girl.

Eleven-year-old Mari grew up tucked under the wings of her parents, grandma, and older siblings. But when Hitler's troops invade Norway in Spring 1940 in the early days of World War II, she is forced to outgrow her "little girl" nickname to deal with harsh new realities in her small village.

At her side is Odin, her faithful Norwegian elkhound. Mari, her family, and her neighbors are soon drawn into the activities of the underground resistance movement, as young and old find a way to oppose the occupying forces and show their love for their native land.

The year will bring many challenges, as Mari confronts danger, develops her inner strength, and finds she is able to endure hardship and heartache.

Readers will cheer for Mari as she discovers her inner strength – and the courage to help celebrate Norway's spirit of resistance." – Kathleen Ernst, author of the Caroline Abbott series from American Girl.

"Not since Marie McSwigan's Snow Treasure have I read such a book about the heroic roles children played in the resistance movement in Norway during WWII." – Carole Estby Dagg, author of The Year We Were Famous.