In this post, we feature multi-award-winning author Elizabeth Wein, whose previous, acclaimed titles include Code Name Verity, which was named a Printz Honor Book among numerous honors. You can hear her speak about her new novel, Stateless, and try her “invitation to imagine” activity. You’ll also find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Stateless
- Written by Elizabeth Wein
- Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Release date: March 14, 2023
When Stella North is chosen to represent Britain in Europe’s first air race for young people, she knows all too well how high the stakes are. As the only participating female pilot, it’ll be a constant challenge to prove she’s a worthy competitor. But promoting peace in Europe feels empty to Stella when civil war is raging in Spain and the Nazis are gaining power—and when, right from the start, someone resorts to cutthroat sabotage to get ahead of the competition. The world is looking for inspiration in what’s meant to be a friendly sporting event. But each of the racers is hiding a turbulent and violent past, and any one of them might be capable of murder…including Stella herself. From the award-winning author of Code Name Verity, this thrilling murder mystery set in 1937 Europe soars with intrigue, glamour, secrets, and betrayal.
From Stateless, by Elizabeth Wein.
“I didn’t realize those vultures were going to see me as fresh meat until it was too late.”
Click here to view a longer preview of Stateless, by Elizabeth Wein.
Explore Stateless
Listen to Elizabeth Wein talking with TeachingBooks about creating Stateless. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.
- Listen to author Elizabeth Wein pronounce her name.
- Read along with an audiobook performance of Stateless.
- Explore TeachingBooks’ collection of activities and resources for Stateless.
Invitation to Imagine
TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Elizabeth Wein.
Imagination Activity with Elizabeth Wein
Whenever I run into writer’s block, I try to write in a different style or from a different point of view. The easiest way to do this is to pretend that whatever I’m writing is a newspaper or media article instead of straight narrative: instead of writing fiction, I turn the story into a news report. A great way to mix up this technique is to imagine that one of the people you’re writing about is reporting on another. It helps to give insight into both plot and character and may surprise you with where your imagination takes you!
Finish This Sentence . . . with Elizabeth Wein
As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Elizabeth Wein’s responses.
“A surprising thing that helps me work is…”
A surprising thing that helps me work is ironing clean laundry! Doing a household chore like ironing or washing dishes gives my hands work to do and frees my brain for creative ideas. It also warms me up when I’ve been sitting at a cold desk for a while. I have to keep a notepad next to me while I’m ironing in case I have a brainstorm.
“I hope that my book may encourage readers to think about…”
I hope that my book may encourage readers to think about how different and how alike young people are all over the world. Stateless takes kids from many different European nations and throws them together in a competition. I hope that my book will make readers want to travel and to reach out to people their age from other cultures.
“You may not know that I can…”
You may not know that I can fly a plane! I am a member of the Ninety-Nines, the International Association of Women Pilots. I learned to fly in Scotland, and once, I even got to fly a World War II fighter plane (a Spitfire). I have also tried “wing-walking,” which means that I stood strapped to the wing outside a plane while someone else flew it!
“Where I work is…”
Where I work is on the sofa, with a lap desk and a cat sitting on me. This one
is Pan.
Thank you!
To wrap up this Virtual Book Tour, we thank Elizabeth Wein for signing a book for all of us.
More Connections to Elizabeth Wein and Stateless
- Discover books like Stateless on TeachingBooks.
- Little, Brown’s page about Stateless, written by Elizabeth Wein.
- Buy Stateless, written by Elizabeth Wein.
Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!
All text and images are courtesy of Elizabeth Wein and Little, Brown and may not be used without expressed written consent.
very good info, thanks