Backpack, Boy, Berlin is my middle-grade debut, and will be published by Candlewick on November 3, 2026. It’s based on the true story of Don Heath, Jr., an American boy who lived in Berlin with his diplomat family during World War II. A bit more about the book:
This is the true story of a boy risking it all to deliver secret anti-Nazi messages while navigating dark times and changing friendships in World War II–era Berlin. The haunting and immersive verse novel comes from critically acclaimed author Kip Wilson.
It’s 1938, and ten-year-old Don Heath Jr. moves with his mother and American diplomat father to Berlin, Germany. This move is different—now they are under the nose of the Führer Adolf Hitler. Over the next three years, Don falls in love with this diamond of a city, makes heart-deep friends, and watches the country descend into a propaganda-fueled state of terror and danger. He fears for his Jewish friends, their families torn apart. He becomes increasingly wary of his friend Mole, whose actions seem at odds with the Hitler Youth uniform he wears—for now. When Don’s tutor, Mildred Harnack, gives him a banned book with a secret note inside, he jumps at the chance to become a covert courier between his parents and the resistance—a perilous prospect in a city where anyone could be an enemy. This remarkable true story delves into the fear, hope, anger, and paranoia of World War II Berlin. Back matter includes an author’s note with more information about the people in the story, a glossary, and a selected bibliography.
We’re now under six months out before the release, so I’ll be starting to share more about my research into Don’s incredible story.
Two important pieces for now though:
- Pre-order links. Release day for Backpack, Boy, Berlin is also midterm elections day. Do yourself a favor and pre-order now so you have something anti-fascist to read as you wait for election results.
- The beautiful cover. Matt Schu did the cover and interior artwork–isn’t it absolutely stunning?
Stay tuned for more!
