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cr_ashe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
It’s a very good story, but the actual writing leaves something to be desired. It’s not a perfect book, but the emotion and raw storytelling make up for a lot of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Abortion
It’s the holocaust guys, a lot of bad stuff happens.bookbrig's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
I listened to this audio, which was excellent, and the story is fascinating. I also listened to it thinking it was a YA book, which isn't accurate I guess. I think I'll bring it to our schools anyway, because Irene is a teenager for a good part of the story, and it's so compelling I think they'll find it interesting. It does touch on very dark things as well as very hopeful things, but it didn't feel too graphic for our middle school students.
It also has stark parallels to several current situations, and I found her very first acts to help Jewish people in the ghettos encouraging for when you're overwhelmed by a situation. That moment of "I can't fix this, but I can offer a small act," is such a good reminder that small things count even if you sometimes feel like nothing you can do will matter in the grand scheme of things.
It also has stark parallels to several current situations, and I found her very first acts to help Jewish people in the ghettos encouraging for when you're overwhelmed by a situation. That moment of "I can't fix this, but I can offer a small act," is such a good reminder that small things count even if you sometimes feel like nothing you can do will matter in the grand scheme of things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death