The middle grade novel 'The Wandspringer' follows protagonist Ellie as she travels back in time to East Berlin to save her imprisoned father and confront a man trying to prevent the fall of the Berlin Wall. The story addresses how to explain fascism to children in an understandable way without causing nightmares, allowing readers to experience the history of post-World War II Germany's division and the terrors of East Berlin's totalitarian regime.
After her father disappears, Ellie lives with her eccentric uncle who works on strange equipment in his cellar. She discovers her uncle possesses a time machine and uses it to travel back in time, initially seeking a hero called The Wandspringer for help but ultimately finding strength and skill within herself during the adventure.
The novel is available in both paperback and ebook formats through online booksellers and brick-and-mortar stores worldwide. As part of its Autumn Fest, the York Literature Festival will host a book launch for 'The Wandspringer' at the York Explore Library in York, UK on October 23 at 6 p.m. Event details are available at https://exploreyork.org.uk/whats-on/.
Author Robert C. Edgar, a professor of writing and popular culture at York St John University's York Centre for Writing, brings expertise in creative writing, screenwriting, and cultural studies to the project. Independent publisher Foolscap & Quill, based in Colorado with over 35 years of publishing experience, released the novel.
This publication matters because it represents a growing trend of using historical fiction to make complex political histories accessible to younger audiences. By framing East Germany's history within a time travel adventure, the novel provides middle grade readers with an engaging entry point to understanding totalitarianism, the Cold War division of Europe, and personal resilience during oppressive regimes.
The book's festival launch at a major UK literary event signals recognition of children's literature as a legitimate vehicle for historical education. For the publishing industry, successful titles in this niche demonstrate market demand for thoughtfully researched historical fiction that doesn't shy away from difficult topics while remaining age-appropriate.
For readers, 'The Wandspringer' offers more than entertainment—it provides context about a pivotal historical period that continues to shape contemporary European politics and identity. The novel's approach to explaining fascism to children could influence how educators and parents discuss authoritarian regimes with young people, potentially fostering earlier historical awareness and critical thinking about political systems.
