Sue Klauber

Author of books, Children's author, Novelist, YA author

Booking enquiry

Audiences

Age 11 to 14, Age 14 to 16, Age 16 to 18+, Further Education, University, Adult

Genres

Historical fiction

Book types

Fiction 8-13, War/Historical

Details

‘Zinc is perfect for years 6&7, secrecy,
bravery and cracking codes’

Alexandra Park School, librarian.

'It was fantastic to have Sue visit our school. She was so knowledgeable about WW2, and she was able to talk about the experiences her family had had during this time, which was extremely valuable for the children. They loved this workshop, and still talk about it now. Sue even brought in artefacts for the children, and they were absolutely amazed. This is a subject in which this year 6 class take a particular interest, and this workshop was the perfect addition to our unit of work. Thank you Sue.'

Hollickwood School, year 6 teacher

'Knowing that this is imaginatively based (the Official Secrets Act still prevents full disclosure) on the wartime exploits of @sue_klauber 's father, uncle and aunt makes the story even more extraordinary. A super read, fast paced and adventurous @TroikaBooks'

Fortismere School, librarian

'This pacy story, which will appeal to readers from 10 years upwards, follows the brothers, and Eva, until 1941, telling of their contributions to protecting their adopted country. But it is more than a war story. Through flashbacks to an incident which is sparingly narrated throughout the novel, the relationship between the brothers is explored and gradually, too, through their experiences, the two men, supported and protected by their sister, come to a fuller understanding of what courage means.'

Just Imagine

Illustrated with a PowerPoint of beautiful old photographs, British propoganda posters and more, I explain the working of Bletchley Park and Special Operations Executive through the stories of my father, uncle and aunt. With a short code-breaking exercise, and artefacts chosen from a box, I encourage questions and read from the novels. Zinc fits perfectly with the year 6 curriculum, and Cobalt, its sequel, is more suitable for the early teenage years.

I also give talks to groups of adults as the novels have cross-over appeal due to their subject matter. I live in North London but am prepared to travel - even internationally if the right opportunity came up!

My Instagram @sueklauber provides background material and short films which introduce each character in turn and explain my inspiration for the novels.

Books by Sue Klauber

I specialise in books on World War Two and Bletchley Park

978-1-912745-38-8

Cobalt

Cobalt is the exciting follow-up story to Sue Klauber's debut novel Zinc, in which three Jewish siblings - John, George and Eva - continue to play key roles in the WW2 war effort, encountering high stakes and thrilling adventures in the UK and across war-torn Europe and North Africa. George trains for a Special Operations Executive (SOE) mission to POland to help the fighters in the Secret Army. Joh, following his code-breaking work at Bletchley Park, is now stationed in Cairo, Egypt, working on plans to deceive Field Marshal Rommel about the location of an impending battle. Eva, still living in Hungary, is finding that life for anyone Jewish is getting harder and harder, as the Nazis tighten their grip over the country. Will the siblings ever find each other again? They share so many memories but war keeps them apart. Cobalt manages to blend intense drama and genuine emotion in an unforgettable account of human bravery inspired by the lives of Sue Klauber's own relatives.

W

Waterstones

978-1-912745-04-3

Zinc

It's 1939 and the Nazis are menacing Europe and planning to invade Britain. What can brothers John and George do to make a difference? Soon John is cracking German codes at Bletchley Park and George is parachuting into enemy territory. But what of their sister Eva? What will she do in times of unimaginable danger? Based on the true and thrilling events of Sue Klauber's Hungarian Jewish father, uncle and aunt's secret lives, Zinc looks at the remarkable lengths three young people will go to protect their family and their adopted country.

W

Waterstones

Photos

Keywords

BLETCHLEY PARK CHILDHOOD GAMES CHILDHOOD MEMORIES CODEBREAKING EGYPT EIGHTH ARMY FAMILY FAMILY HISTORY GENERAL MONTGOMERY HISTORICAL HUNGARY JEWISH POLAND RESISTANCE SIBLINGS SLOVAKIA SOE SPECIAL OPERATIONS WW2 YA