Victoria Winterhalter
Middle Grade and Young Adult Author Writing Herstory
Victoria Winterhalter is a writer and teacher, who loves books and films based on true stories. As a middle grade and young adult author, she enjoys sharing hidden histories and writing stories about characters discovering their self-worth.
She received an MA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, an MA in English Education from New York University, and a BA in Elementary Education from The George Washington University. After teaching Language Arts in middle schools for many years, she is now an Associate Professor of English at a community college, where she teaches composition, research, and Children’s Literature.
Born and raised in New Jersey, she currently lives in Virginia with her husband and two daughters. When not writing or reading, Victoria enjoys touring art museums, practicing yoga on her paddle board, and visiting destinations on her bucket list.
When We Were Enemies
​​WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES is a finished historical fiction middle grade manuscript at 50k words. A hopeful home front story, like Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus, it offers a theme of female empowerment, like in the novel The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman. Fans of Jennifer A. Nielsen will enjoy this untold chapter in America’s history.
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A 13-year-old Italian-American girl dreams of being a radio broadcaster, but when her father is wrongfully imprisoned at Ellis Island during World War II and a once-in-a lifetime contest offers her the chance to be on the air, she must decide if she should speak up for herself, even when it could cost her family their freedom.
The Great Escape
THE GREAT ESCAPE is a work-in-progress historical fiction young adult manuscript at 68k words. Set in Ecuadorian rainforest during 1996, it is a wilderness adventure with the self-discovery and romance of Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill as well as the 90s nostalgia vibes of The Mall by Megan McCafferty.
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An eighteen-year-old high school graduate decides to check “visit the jungle” off her bucket list before heading to college, but when she falls for another volunteer at the biological reserve and a dangerous secret surfaces, she must confront the fears holding her back and the reality that sometimes the person standing in your way is you.​
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The Stories Behind the Stories
When real life inspires manuscripts.
When We Were Enemies
Victoria's great-grandmother was one of the 600,000 Italian enemy aliens living in the United States during World War II. Her story inspired this fictional account of an untold chapter in America’s history.
The Great Escape
Prior to graduate school at New York University, Victoria traveled to the Ecuadorian rainforest on a scientific expedition. Her experience inspired this story about how sometimes the best way to find yourself is to first get lost.
Winterhalter Writes
I like the focus on Italians in the US during WWII, the unexpected and well-handled present tense, and the emphasis on radios during the war, especially for young people. Fran realizes her words can make a difference. I applaud her.
A family’s love is a lot like food. Maybe that’s why Italians are famous for it. It nourishes your heart until you meet again – whether that’s the next vacation, the next holiday, or the next generation.
Their stories not only play a valuable role in the telling of history, but also offer future generations a chance to emulate their courage when bringing to life our country’s ideal of liberty and justice for all.
Karen Cushman
Newbery Award-winning children's author on When We Were Enemies
Victoria Winterhalter
in Richmond Family Magazine
Victoria Winterhalter
in Richmond Family Magazine
Get in touch
For inquiries, please contact Victoria Winterhalter.
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