Broken Song

Sashie #2

by Kathryn Lasky

The year is 1897, and gifted violinist Reuven Bloom is fifteen years old. Life for the Jews in Russia is very hard. First Reuven's best friend is captured to serve in the Tsar's army, and then his parents and older sister are murdered. Reuven's dreams of music must be set aside. Now he has only one escape. With his baby sister strapped to his back, Reuven sets off toward an unknown freedom. His journey takes him first across Russia, and then ultimately to America. Readers will remember Reuven as the revolutionary who helped Sashie and her family flee from Russia in The Night Journey. In Broken Song, Reuven's own powerful story unfolds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Russia, Childrens, Historical

141 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2005

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Francisco Valladares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I had originally gotten this book because it was relatively short (150), but I soon came to realize its complexity. I was up until late reading this book, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The death of Reuven's parents and older sister forced him to grow up and take care of his sister, going through things no person should, child or adult. Reuven was forced to make many hard decisions like staying in Russia as his baby sister, Rachel, went to America with his cousin's family. After being separated from his only family he became obsessed with the revolution at hand, but had never forgotten his sister. After meeting an old friend, Reuven realizes he was not meant to be fighting in a revolution, for he did not have enough anger in him to continue, so he leaves to be reunited with his sister in New York. This made the book very special, as the sense of reunion showed me the importance of perseverance, and taught me to never give up my dreams.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction. Based on author's grandfather's story. 1890s Russia and Poland (brief ending in America). Describes the persecution and genocide by the Russian government of the Jews. Also some of those Jews' involvement with the beginnings of the communist revolution in Russia. Despite being a shorter book (~150p), I would caution about handing this to younger elementary, due to violence mostly.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Kathryn Lasky has told with great style and emotion a very interesting story. Reuven and his sister Rachel are the only ones survive a pogrom that destroys their family and their town in Russia. Reuven's inner strength saves them both. And it is that strength that eventually leads them both to a new and productive life in a America.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this, I really did. It's been on my to read list for awhile, but I had a hard time finishing it. The story is terribly sad, but there was too much going on. This could almost be 2 or 3 different books. Reuven's life and his escape with Rachel could be one story; I would have loved more detail about his settlement and culture. The Bund and Reuven's activities and meeting with Muttle could be another story. Finally, the journey to America and Reuven's musical career and meeting his wife could be a story. There was so much going on that the story just seem to sweep over major parts. And part of the problem with glossing over so much plot is that it's hard to understand why the characters change. Really wanted to love it. Still plan to try and read Night Journey.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨 takes you to Russia in 1897, where 15-year-old Reuven Bloom dreams of becoming a great violinist. But his quiet shtetl life shatters when a violent pogrom kills his family, leaving only him and his baby sister alive. With Rachel strapped to his back, he walks mile after mile toward Vilna, his violin left behind, his music silenced.

In the city, Reuven gets pulled into the fiery world of the socialist underground—fighting for justice but still aching for the music he’s lost. When fate puts his sister’s murderer in front of him, he has a choice: revenge… or a different kind of future.

Choosing hope, Reuven reclaims his violin and eventually makes it to America—where his broken song becomes whole again.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting moments, but poor plotting and I never really attached to the characters.

[Robert B. Miller]

Read by Anjie, Summer 2006:
"The jacket suggests a reading age of 10 and up. Some of the passages were a little distracting because I wasn't sure of the pronunciations (Yiddish and Russian). The story takes place in 1897, in a small Jewish village in Russia where Reuven Bloom is a fifteen-year-old violinist. The Jewish people in his village live in fear because the tsar's army kidnap young Jewish men, and burn entire villages. Reuven's family, except his infant sister, Rachel, are murdered by the Cossack's. He and his sister travel by foot to Poland, where he meets his cousin who is a Revolutionist leader for the Jewish people. A span of 6 years passes while Rachel is living in America with relatives and Reuven lives a life of violence for the Revolutionists. Reuven eventually travels to America and plays his violin once more. That wasn't very BRIEF! I chose this book because I have always been fascinated with the Holocaust. Diary of Anne Frank, Number the Stars, and another book written by Kathryn Lasky, The Night Journey, could all possibly be included in a text set."

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reuven Bloom lives with his family in the Russian Pale, an area inhabited by Jews. Even at the young age of fifteen, he’s an extremely talented violinist. Persecution is a way of life for Russian Jews, but the news of murderous pogroms throughout the Pale has everyone on edge. On the sixth day of Hanukkah in 1897, Reuven’s parents and older sister are murdered by Cossacks. Miraculously, Reuven and his baby sister, Rachel, survive. Dressed as a peasant woman and carrying Rachel in a basket, Reuven escapes to their cousin, Lovotz Sperling, the leader of the Bund (the Jewish Workers’ Federation). When Sperling is murdered, his wife takes Rachel and her children to America. Reuven stays behind and joins the resistance. For the next few years, he sabotages Russian artillery armaments. One night, Reuven sees the Cossack who killed his sister in a tavern. The man has Reuven’s violin, and so, for a time, Reuven becomes obsessed with revenging his family and getting his instrument back. When the deed is done, Reuven knows it’s time to find Rachel in America.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr 5-9 150pgs

1897-1904 Berischeva village Russia/NYC. After everyone in his village is killed by Coassacks in a pogrom, 15 year old Reuven takes his baby sister Rachel and heads for Vilna where is cousin lives. He hopes that his cousin will be able to help, but to get they must survive the long journey there.

Interesting story. Recommended to middle school or higher. Companion book to "The Night Journey".

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story comes from a dark time of our history, but makes me wonder if we've ever gotten out of the dark time of man. This story of how individuals handle revenge is thought provoking. Donald Graves would be affirmed in how Rachel saves her memories and adapts to a new language and country. ESL teachers could take heart from this story, but will need to get to the end to find their nugget of gold.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful, life-affirming book. Music has power beyond its momentary entertainment value; it can save a soul by helping a person connect with the best aspects of being human. Even though he has to set it aside to save his and his sister's lives, Reuven learns just how costly ignoring his musical gift could be.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving story of Reuven and his journey with his baby sister, Rachel. Ever since I had my baby, I cry very easily when it comes to babies, and this story was no exception. Well-written and I learned a little history, to boot. My only gripe is that the ending is rather abrupt. (But I did like reading an epilogue to the characters I grew to love.)

[Daisy_walden]

This book is sad, but hard to put down. A 16 year old Jewish boy, saw his parents and sister killed while he was hidden in the potato cellar (Fiddler on the Roof time period). His whole village was demolished and now he has to take his 16 month old sister on a trek to a far away village where he hopes he will be able to go to America where his uncle lives. I cant wait to see what happens.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about a young boy coming of age in war torn Russia during the late 1800's. He's a violinist that becomes a rebel and sabotuer for the underground. Quick read as it's juvenile literature category.

[Leah Coffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Night Journey as a kid and loved it, although I didn't truly understand it until I reread it years later. This sequel is, quite simply, amazing, and dovetails beautifully with the original.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a challenge and I'm glad that I discovered it. The writing is quite good. Even though each segment of time isn't very well developed, it still gives the reader a good idea of how desperately hard life was for the Jews in Russia during the years 1897-1904.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely children's book about a Russian Jew in the 1890's-1900's. If you have a child studying the violin or any musical instrument, this would be a great read for them. There is some violence and many people die but it's handled in a delicate manner.

[Jumpsinpuddles41 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jews in Russia 1897 - excellent

[Sofy · Rating 5 out of 5]

follows The Night Journey

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for 5th grade and up

[Sharia]

So sad, but a great sense of history.

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A companion book for "The Night Journey". Join the resistance in saving Jews from the czar's pogroms. I am thrilled that Reuven got his own story...I really wondered what happened to him.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always learn so much from her books, and this was no exception.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book about a very sad time. I agree with other reviewers that it's any early teen book. It has some tense parts that make it unsuitable for more sensitive kids.

[Vintage Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on author's grandfather's life.