Reviews

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

tarin's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mjcglz's review against another edition

5.0

this books has such a vivid imagery, with a wonderful connection between music, survival, love and memory. it gripped and squeezed by heart. i loved the aching beauty of it all.

realisticreader1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

what_the_walrus_said's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Plot: 
Poland 1941 - Jewish mother Roza and her daughter Shira are running from the Germans after their town is raided and their family taken. They take refuge in a neighbors barn where they must remain silent and still, despite Shira's desire to hum and tap along with the music in her head. Her mother makes up stories to keep them occupied and teaches Shira that only her imaginary bird is allowed to sing and chirp. When the Germans close in, Roza must choose whether Shira will be safer with her on the run, or with strangers. 

Thoughts: 
I moved through this book fairly quickly (I think it had to do with the short chapters). Though parts of the story were quite emotional and difficult to read, they shed light on the very real reality of those on the run; the struggles they endured, the strength necessary to take care of each other, and the immense love a mother has for her daughter.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Miscarriage

heidirgorecki's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Fascinating and so sad but also hopeful. I loved the perspective of both mom and daughter hiding out, surviving any way they could and also the struggle of trying to reunite after the war was over. I can’t even imagine with being in a world now where so much information is at our fingertips and they only had word of mouth and notes on bulletin boards. Insane. 

I also appreciated the realistic mental warring of Roza as a mom - it was so real and relatable - and the child-like battle of her daughter.  Really well written and unfolded.

dlovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

ivytodd's review against another edition

4.0

Such a powerful story and such wonderful imagery created by Jennifer Rosner. Another interesting and different take on WWII and the intense difficulty and grief faced by Jews in hiding. However, I am always left wanting the ending to provide a bit more closure with her books.

mdpbernal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

ninasbooks57's review against another edition

4.0

I can’t even imagine the heartbreak suffered by the victims of Hitlers insanity. Families separated, tortured, hidden, the fear which encompassed every moment of every day! Then, after the war, never to reconnect with the loved ones who survived- if they survived? Who knew? This is the story of a family devastated and lost to each other. Did they reconnect…???

alyarchive's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Beautifully written book about the suffering one faces in the midst of war. The differences when following the pov for Roza as a mother, and Shira as a daughter as young as 5 years old, is the perfect depiction of contradicting yet similar. I love how honest both of them are, to their feelings and the writing of this piece flows so seamlessly with each chapter gripping you tight especially at its last sentences. The longing in this book is prominent, messages are conveyed so beautifully yet innocently. My new favourite. I just feel like the ending is a bit underwhelming, due to the whole book being such a masterpiece. It is less impactful but is definitely not making the book lacking at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Gun violence, Rape, War, and Death

Moderate: Abortion and Suicide attempt