2023 Bronze Medal Winner YA Historical Cultural fiction

  • — Silver medalist from the 2023 Story Circle Sarton's Book Award (Young Adult category)

  • — Finalist for 2023 Eyelands International Book Award for Published Historical Fiction

Award winning historical fiction by Christine Fallert Kessides

Listen to Christine’s Spotify podcast interview on Let’s Talk with Scott Ellis - link to the episode

Read Christine’s interview with IndieReader

In 1916, the world is at war, even if America has not yet joined the effort. But for Magda, the growing hostility surrounding her German immigrant family in Pittsburgh hits close to home. Despite her domestic obligations, Magda persists with her education, determined to find an independent role for herself.  Faced with the mounting crises of the Great War and the Spanish flu, Magda seeks the knowledge and strength to protect those she loves most. 

Standing up to a war and pandemic, traditions and expectations, Magda embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience that leads her back to embracing her family and caring for a wider community. 

Synopsis:

When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little brother, sixteen-year-old Magda is devastated—but the greater challenge is saving her family in the midst of a global war and pandemic. 

Available in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

What people are saying about Magda, Standing

  • "Magda, Standing was such an encouraging story of resilience, determination, and the sheer power of self-confidence."

    - Rabia Tanveer, Readers’ Favorite Blog

  • "Does a great job incorporating history of the era in a natural and engaging way."

    Kate Szegda, award-winning author of Pharmacy Girl

  • ".... Magda is an appealing protagonist, ....she's revealed to be resourceful and understanding—a person upon whom no experience is lost. As a result, readers get a good, detailed sense of place....An impressive first novel that effectively draws on the author’s family story."

    —- Kirkus Reviews

  • "Hard to believe this was the author's debut novel! Excellent historical fiction!"

    StephBookWorm, GoodReads 5-star review, and “Best of 2023”

  • "A really compelling read and immersion into a less explored time in American history. Beautifully detailed with historical fact and tragic truths and a vivid window into the challenges facing German-Americans as we became immersed in WWI. Love the many quietly feminist women and role models."

    — L.M. Elliott, best-selling author of 13 historical novels

  • "The story is multi-faceted with history woven in and out of the main plot of a young woman following in the footsteps of relatives to make her own life choices. Family is so important in this story and the theme of a vocation in service is highlighted, all set within the era of the Great War. Fantastic story-telling...."

    - GoodReads 5 star review

  • Christine Fallert Kessides has crafted a meticulously researched and impressively detailed family saga with its roots in her own history for her debut novel, MAGDA, STANDING. Many facets of Magda’s story that are so compellingly constructed in this period novel are mirrored by problems that society faces today....wonderfully rich young adult novel, MAGDA, STANDING, includes period details which are convincingly evoked and a fully realized protagonist in all of her emotional complexity."

    - IndieReader

  • "Magda, Standing by debut author Christine Kessides a truly remarkable YA read....This was a well written debut with great world building and character development."

    • Adriann H, NetGalley 4 star review

  • "Christine Kessides does a beautiful job in creating a historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the time-period and that the characters felt like they belonged in this universe. I was invested in the story and thought it had a great feel to modern world."

    - Kathryn M, NetGalley 5-star review

  • "....One of the book's notable strengths is its well-crafted characters, who feel authentic and true to the time period....The novel's prose is well-written, and the author's storytelling is engaging...."

    - Morgan Ehnert, NetGalley 5-star review

  • "Kessides' novel is a story of grit that examines a young heroine's coming-of-age in a complicated time in American history. This gut-wrenching, beguiling historical novel is written in fine prose and it features a female protagonist that instantly wins the hearts of readers."

    - The Book Commentary

  • Kessides’ characters are the heart of the story, and the framing of the narrative through Magda’s perspective and her interactions with her large family and friends allows the reader to conceptualize the larger historical context of World War I.

    - GoodReads 4-star review

  • "The writing style of the author is fantastic. The language used in the book is lucid...."

    - SassyReviews.data.blog