I hadn't heard anything of Anna and the Swallow Man when I found a proof copy at work but I was immediately excited merely from reading the premise. Within the first few pages, I knew this was going to be a beautiful book and it is. It has been likened to The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas but I would argue it's a being all on its own. It's suitably magical and horrible all at once; the shadows of the true history of the time in which it's based, dance constantly in the background and are truly chilling. Savit's writing is really wonderful, creating beautifully engaging characters that you swiftly become attached to and feel simultaneously real and magical. I truly hope this becomes a children's classic that will sidle comfortably next to treasures such as Goodnight Mister Tom.