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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Rape
dertikefi's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Violence, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
bookishmagpie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
zaracampbell's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very moving story that grapples with a mother's heartbreaking decision and its consequences to separate from her daughter in an attempt to keep her safe. It is a story of resistance, hope and resilience against a backdrop of devastation and utter brutality. A very raw and real testament to the strength of a mother's love and what she will endure for her daughter's safety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Miscarriage, Rape, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
rissaochs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Miscarriage, Rape, Blood, Excrement, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Child death
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Title: The Yellow Bird Sings
Author: Jennifer Rosner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: March 3, 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Meaningful β’ Unique β’ Elementary
π S Y N O P S I S
In the aftermath of a round-up which took their family, Roza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, are forced to hide in a farmer's barn, unable to make a sound. Shira clings to the the yellow bird from her mother's stories, and which sings the song Shira composes in her head.
Roza is doing everything to protect Shira from the horrors of the outside world, and when the day comes when their haven is no longer safe, she is forced to make an impossible choice.
π T H O U G H T S
It will come as no surprise that as a historical fiction fan, I have read my fair share of WWII stories. I stumbled across The Yellow Bird Sings when browsing a historical fiction list online, and it sounded like such a unique story. And parts of it are. Yet the ending felt very clichΓ©, and overall the plot was extremely slow to develop and lacked depth, to the point where I felt detached while reading.
It is written in a very plain way, and the writing could have easily been edited to be more concise and improve the flow (even though it's already fairly short). Additionally, the voice of Shira felt unrealistically mature for a five-year-old. And I really wish the bird aspect would have played a larger role. It was there, but it really took a backseat.
The one aspect I truly appreciated was the inclusion of the power of music during both the best of circumstances and the harshest of circumstances. The musical elements were weaved flawlessly into the story, and depicted human connection on a different level.
There are so many excellent WWII books out there, and this one fell a little short for me. I am still glad I picked it up, it just wasn't the emotional journey I have come to expect, despite the story itself being heart wrenching.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ mother/daughter historical fiction fans
β’ musical readers
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"What is whole does not comprehend what is torn until it, too, is in shreds."
"Emerging from a past life means embracing new things, steering away from reminders."
Author: Jennifer Rosner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: March 3, 2020
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Meaningful β’ Unique β’ Elementary
π S Y N O P S I S
In the aftermath of a round-up which took their family, Roza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, are forced to hide in a farmer's barn, unable to make a sound. Shira clings to the the yellow bird from her mother's stories, and which sings the song Shira composes in her head.
Roza is doing everything to protect Shira from the horrors of the outside world, and when the day comes when their haven is no longer safe, she is forced to make an impossible choice.
π T H O U G H T S
It will come as no surprise that as a historical fiction fan, I have read my fair share of WWII stories. I stumbled across The Yellow Bird Sings when browsing a historical fiction list online, and it sounded like such a unique story. And parts of it are. Yet the ending felt very clichΓ©, and overall the plot was extremely slow to develop and lacked depth, to the point where I felt detached while reading.
It is written in a very plain way, and the writing could have easily been edited to be more concise and improve the flow (even though it's already fairly short). Additionally, the voice of Shira felt unrealistically mature for a five-year-old. And I really wish the bird aspect would have played a larger role. It was there, but it really took a backseat.
The one aspect I truly appreciated was the inclusion of the power of music during both the best of circumstances and the harshest of circumstances. The musical elements were weaved flawlessly into the story, and depicted human connection on a different level.
There are so many excellent WWII books out there, and this one fell a little short for me. I am still glad I picked it up, it just wasn't the emotional journey I have come to expect, despite the story itself being heart wrenching.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ mother/daughter historical fiction fans
β’ musical readers
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"What is whole does not comprehend what is torn until it, too, is in shreds."
"Emerging from a past life means embracing new things, steering away from reminders."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: War
death of partnertamaraepps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Rape
amymoorex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, and War
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Antisemitism
jbraith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Miscarriage, Rape, and Antisemitism
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