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The Blood Years: A Gripping Holocaust Survival Story for Teens Based on True Events in Romania
The harrowing story of a young girl's struggle to survive the Holocaust in Romania.
Frederieke Teitler and her older sister, Astra, live in a house, in a city, in a world divided. Their father ran out on them when Rieke was only six, leaving their mother a wreck and their grandfather as their only stable family. He’s done his best to provide for them and shield them from antisemitism, but now, seven years later, being a Jew has become increasingly dangerous, even in their beloved home of Czernowitz, long considered a safe haven for Jewish people. And when Astra falls in love and starts pulling away from her, Rieke wonders if there’s anything in her life she can count on—and, if so, if she has the power to hold on to it.
Then—war breaks out in Europe. First the Russians, then the Germans, invade Czernowitz. Almost overnight, Rieke and Astra’s world changes, and every day becomes a struggle: to keep their grandfather’s business, to keep their home, to keep their lives. Rieke has long known that she exists in a world defined by those who have power and those who do not, and as those powers close in around her, she must decide whether holding on to her life might mean letting go of everything that has ever mattered to her—and if that’s a choice she will even have the chance to make.
Based on the true experiences of the author's grandmother’s childhood in Holocaust-era Romania.
Frederieke Teitler and her older sister, Astra, live in a house, in a city, in a world divided. Their father ran out on them when Rieke was only six, leaving their mother a wreck and their grandfather as their only stable family. He’s done his best to provide for them and shield them from antisemitism, but now, seven years later, being a Jew has become increasingly dangerous, even in their beloved home of Czernowitz, long considered a safe haven for Jewish people. And when Astra falls in love and starts pulling away from her, Rieke wonders if there’s anything in her life she can count on—and, if so, if she has the power to hold on to it.
Then—war breaks out in Europe. First the Russians, then the Germans, invade Czernowitz. Almost overnight, Rieke and Astra’s world changes, and every day becomes a struggle: to keep their grandfather’s business, to keep their home, to keep their lives. Rieke has long known that she exists in a world defined by those who have power and those who do not, and as those powers close in around her, she must decide whether holding on to her life might mean letting go of everything that has ever mattered to her—and if that’s a choice she will even have the chance to make.
Based on the true experiences of the author's grandmother’s childhood in Holocaust-era Romania.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2023
79 people are currently reading
6106 people want to read
About the author
Elana K. Arnold
33 books1,081 followersELANA K. ARNOLD writes books for and about children and teens. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing/Fiction from the University of California, Davis where she has taught Creative Writing and Adolescent Literature. Her most recent YA novel, DAMSEL, is a Printz Honor book, Her 2017 novel, WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her middle grade novel, A BOY CALLED BAT, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. A parent and educator living in Huntington Beach, California, Elana is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and writers’ conferences. Currently, Elana is the caretaker of seven pets, only three of which have fur. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://elanakarnold.us10.list-manage...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
October 27, 2023
"People do things for love. Sometimes, they do great things. Sometimes, terrible. Sometimes, the great and the terrible are one and the same."
Just . . . so, so brutal.
Just . . . so, so brutal.
October 12, 2023
Well. I loved this book with my whole heart, which is also the heart that this story broke several times over. What even do I say to do this lovely book justice? I will just tell you why I loved it so much that I ended up pre-ordering it, yeah? Great.
►It is based on the author's grandmother's real experiences. This added such an extra element of emotion to it, frankly. Not only was the story incredibly emotionally evocative in itself, but knowing how much this meant to the author, to tell her beloved grandmother's story, it added something extra that I can't even put into words. Add to it, I learned so much about other people and places that were affected by the war. It was eye opening on so many levels, really.
►I cannot overstate how much this story moved me. I mean, I know what you're thinking: WWII novel, sure it's going to be emotional, and you're not wrong. It's just that this story has so many incredible elements that take it to that next level. Obviously, the horrors of the war are front and center, make no mistake. But it is so much more. There is so much life happening- in literal spite of the war. Rieke and her family have both the horrific war-related struggles, but also some of the more mundane struggles that don't simply go away because you're also going through a crisis.
►The hope in the darkest of times was everything. The author showed how people went on living because they simply had no other choice. I often thought about how hard that would be, and it was, but also... it was the only option, too. Our characters had no choice but to keep on keepin' on, and I loved that the author showed that side of things. That sometimes you have to go on because there is absolutely no other option. The changes their daily lives underwent was so well written- you could see how, as time progressed, little bits of their lives were stripped away by these awful people in charge, and how little they could do to fight back. The author truly did a phenomenal job allowing both the reader and the characters see these changes creep upon them, with absolutely no recourse. It was haunting, and horrifically honest. But even in the darkest times, the worst of times, the characters held steadfast to their love for each other. There were glimmers of hope and humanity in even the darkest moments, and that was worth everything.
►The writing was just next-level. Every single thing that the author did seemed purposeful and well constructed. I felt like every piece of the story was just so well crafted, but in a way that just flowed perfectly. Add to it, I felt the author's love and emotion in every single page. I truly don't think there is a greater tribute than this.
Bottom Line: There truly are not enough words to express how gobsmackingly beautiful this book is. Thank you, Ms. Arnold, for sharing your family with the world. It quite literally took my breath away.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
►It is based on the author's grandmother's real experiences. This added such an extra element of emotion to it, frankly. Not only was the story incredibly emotionally evocative in itself, but knowing how much this meant to the author, to tell her beloved grandmother's story, it added something extra that I can't even put into words. Add to it, I learned so much about other people and places that were affected by the war. It was eye opening on so many levels, really.
►I cannot overstate how much this story moved me. I mean, I know what you're thinking: WWII novel, sure it's going to be emotional, and you're not wrong. It's just that this story has so many incredible elements that take it to that next level. Obviously, the horrors of the war are front and center, make no mistake. But it is so much more. There is so much life happening- in literal spite of the war. Rieke and her family have both the horrific war-related struggles, but also some of the more mundane struggles that don't simply go away because you're also going through a crisis.
►The hope in the darkest of times was everything. The author showed how people went on living because they simply had no other choice. I often thought about how hard that would be, and it was, but also... it was the only option, too. Our characters had no choice but to keep on keepin' on, and I loved that the author showed that side of things. That sometimes you have to go on because there is absolutely no other option. The changes their daily lives underwent was so well written- you could see how, as time progressed, little bits of their lives were stripped away by these awful people in charge, and how little they could do to fight back. The author truly did a phenomenal job allowing both the reader and the characters see these changes creep upon them, with absolutely no recourse. It was haunting, and horrifically honest. But even in the darkest times, the worst of times, the characters held steadfast to their love for each other. There were glimmers of hope and humanity in even the darkest moments, and that was worth everything.
►The writing was just next-level. Every single thing that the author did seemed purposeful and well constructed. I felt like every piece of the story was just so well crafted, but in a way that just flowed perfectly. Add to it, I felt the author's love and emotion in every single page. I truly don't think there is a greater tribute than this.
Bottom Line: There truly are not enough words to express how gobsmackingly beautiful this book is. Thank you, Ms. Arnold, for sharing your family with the world. It quite literally took my breath away.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
June 28, 2023
This is a gorgeously written book set during the Holocaust in a place I knew nothing about. It's a story of courage, endurance, of self-discovery, and of the brutality of human beings to each other, which makes the beauty of human kindness feel even more astonishing. This will be one of the very best books you read this year—if not ever.
March 17, 2024
This story was full of hurt and hate. It was very hard to read, very real. Well written and triggers many emotions.
July 24, 2023
Oh. My. Goodness. This. Book. 💛
My heart broke over and over again. History is full of difficult truths, and this story was told brilliantly.
- - - - -
“How can anything we do to hold onto our lives, to hold onto one another, compete with hate like this?”
“She laughs again, and Marcel does, too, and Papa joins them, and I hate all three of them, this line of laughing selfish fools who've taken the best seats in the room, who take and take and take.”
“I love him so much, I feel my heart could break.”
“Sometimes we choose between bad, and worse.”
“We are two bodies, alive right now, together.”
“This is a gift I can give to Opa: I can let him believe in a story I know isn’t true.”
“We are alone. In all the world, in all the stories, in all the time that has been and is to come, right now, with my hand upon Opa's as he pushes me through the snow, there is just us, and this moment. Opa, and me, together. It's cold--desperately cold--and it's dark- -terribly dark--and yet, I am shot through with a feeling I have never experienced before. My body comes alive with it. Time disappears, space collapses and expands. It's as if the sky opens and a bolt of lightning reaches down and stretches its finger straight to my heart, filling me with pure electric light.
Opa would say that this is God.
I believe that this is love.”
“Here we are again - or maybe still - the three of us.”
From the Foreword:
“Nana wanted to know and understand everything, the beautiful and the terrible.”
From the Author’s Note:
“Though The Blood Years is a historical novel, antisemitism and hate are not problems relegated to the past. Its imperative that we pay attention and look around. What's happening in your country, your community, your family, today? Where do you stand? What do you stand for?”
“This is what I know: it is easier to destroy than to create. A whole fleet of kids can work for hours to build a castle in the sand, and one bully can destroy their creation with a few swift kicks. It can feel like your heart is being torn out of your body when something like that happens. But does this mean that we should not build, should not dream? No. I tell you - No!”
You can choose each day--each moment--to soften, to listen, to wonder, and to grow. Your capacity for love--whether or not you are Jewish--can be stronger than their capacity to hate. I truly believe that this is true.
There are more of as who wont to build than those who wish to destroy. And we are stronger, when we are passionate, informed, and united.
Together - let’s build the world, with love.”
My heart broke over and over again. History is full of difficult truths, and this story was told brilliantly.
- - - - -
“How can anything we do to hold onto our lives, to hold onto one another, compete with hate like this?”
“She laughs again, and Marcel does, too, and Papa joins them, and I hate all three of them, this line of laughing selfish fools who've taken the best seats in the room, who take and take and take.”
“I love him so much, I feel my heart could break.”
“Sometimes we choose between bad, and worse.”
“We are two bodies, alive right now, together.”
“This is a gift I can give to Opa: I can let him believe in a story I know isn’t true.”
“We are alone. In all the world, in all the stories, in all the time that has been and is to come, right now, with my hand upon Opa's as he pushes me through the snow, there is just us, and this moment. Opa, and me, together. It's cold--desperately cold--and it's dark- -terribly dark--and yet, I am shot through with a feeling I have never experienced before. My body comes alive with it. Time disappears, space collapses and expands. It's as if the sky opens and a bolt of lightning reaches down and stretches its finger straight to my heart, filling me with pure electric light.
Opa would say that this is God.
I believe that this is love.”
“Here we are again - or maybe still - the three of us.”
From the Foreword:
“Nana wanted to know and understand everything, the beautiful and the terrible.”
From the Author’s Note:
“Though The Blood Years is a historical novel, antisemitism and hate are not problems relegated to the past. Its imperative that we pay attention and look around. What's happening in your country, your community, your family, today? Where do you stand? What do you stand for?”
“This is what I know: it is easier to destroy than to create. A whole fleet of kids can work for hours to build a castle in the sand, and one bully can destroy their creation with a few swift kicks. It can feel like your heart is being torn out of your body when something like that happens. But does this mean that we should not build, should not dream? No. I tell you - No!”
You can choose each day--each moment--to soften, to listen, to wonder, and to grow. Your capacity for love--whether or not you are Jewish--can be stronger than their capacity to hate. I truly believe that this is true.
There are more of as who wont to build than those who wish to destroy. And we are stronger, when we are passionate, informed, and united.
Together - let’s build the world, with love.”
September 26, 2023
Thank you to Harper360YA for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I’ll admit when I opened the package and saw this book I was sceptical. I’m a fantasy girl at heart who loves to get lost in the impossible, in the magic and The Blood Years was far from what I ever thought I would read.
1) I’m not big on war time novels
2) I’m not overly fond of “based on true events”
But I am open to new things and I’m glad for it because this book was actually pretty good.
It’s very sad and is based on horrific true events, but it also makes for a compelling read as I feel these days we are very ignorant to what has happened in the past and with current day events we are also very selfish and self entitled to what we currently have. But I won’t go into the political side of things, I always try to keep that out of my reviews.
The story follows two sisters and their family in war time Romania. Their struggle to survive and live when there was so much prejudice at that time. The horror and monstrous behaviour of people towards their fellow man.
I’ll admit I had no idea how hard the war hit those regions, but then I was never really taught World War history in school, which is just shocking IMO.
But there is also love and light in this story and I think the message is simply that through all the hardship and horror, family and love and hope is the strength you need and that alone cannot break you.
The blood years will be available to buy on November 9th
I’ll admit when I opened the package and saw this book I was sceptical. I’m a fantasy girl at heart who loves to get lost in the impossible, in the magic and The Blood Years was far from what I ever thought I would read.
1) I’m not big on war time novels
2) I’m not overly fond of “based on true events”
But I am open to new things and I’m glad for it because this book was actually pretty good.
It’s very sad and is based on horrific true events, but it also makes for a compelling read as I feel these days we are very ignorant to what has happened in the past and with current day events we are also very selfish and self entitled to what we currently have. But I won’t go into the political side of things, I always try to keep that out of my reviews.
The story follows two sisters and their family in war time Romania. Their struggle to survive and live when there was so much prejudice at that time. The horror and monstrous behaviour of people towards their fellow man.
I’ll admit I had no idea how hard the war hit those regions, but then I was never really taught World War history in school, which is just shocking IMO.
But there is also love and light in this story and I think the message is simply that through all the hardship and horror, family and love and hope is the strength you need and that alone cannot break you.
The blood years will be available to buy on November 9th
February 17, 2024
Exquisite. Devastating. You can’t put it down. You will think about it for every moment you aren’t reading it.
September 15, 2024
Review to come…(Having a bit of “book hangover”)…
June 14, 2023
I'm always looking for books set in this time period outside of the norm - books set in other countries outside of Germany, France, or Russia. Books about different lived experiences during WWII and the Holocaust. So I was very excited to read this story. Set in Romania, it gives us a different perspective, as they were first occupied by the Soviet Union, then the Germans. We're given a chance to see the different ways those occupations affected the country, particularly the Jews.
The characters in this book are based on the author's grandmother and her family, and I thought it was a really beautiful tribute. The characters felt real and raw - they weren't always likeable, particularly Astra, the older sister, who is sometimes cruel to her little sister. I really loved Opa, and the way he stuck to his morals no matter what. In such a dark time, that must have been so hard to do. Also, don't skip the Author's note at the end - it's powerful, and a great reminder that we learn history so that we can see the patterns and stand up for injustice everywhere.
There are some really dark moments in this book, as to be expected from any book set in this time period, so be aware of the content warnings. There is sexual assault and rape in this story, as well as violence. I'd say this book is best for older teens.
The characters in this book are based on the author's grandmother and her family, and I thought it was a really beautiful tribute. The characters felt real and raw - they weren't always likeable, particularly Astra, the older sister, who is sometimes cruel to her little sister. I really loved Opa, and the way he stuck to his morals no matter what. In such a dark time, that must have been so hard to do. Also, don't skip the Author's note at the end - it's powerful, and a great reminder that we learn history so that we can see the patterns and stand up for injustice everywhere.
There are some really dark moments in this book, as to be expected from any book set in this time period, so be aware of the content warnings. There is sexual assault and rape in this story, as well as violence. I'd say this book is best for older teens.
August 20, 2024
4.7 stars rounded up to 5.
The beginning of the book was definitely a young adult novel which I found the chapters were childish and boring. Not impressed at all. On hindsight, the beginning was important to form the backbones of the the characters whom I slowly fell in love with as the story unfolded.
About 1/3 of the way, when things became difficult for the Romanian, the tone of the book and the content were just as great as an excellent and rich adult historical novel.
I read two different novels about Romania during WW2, but this one stood out compare to the other two. I learned about the atrocious details of living in Romania as a Jew and other facts of the country that I didn't know about. The story touched me deeply because it was a retelling of the story of Frieda, the author's grandmother, and the testimonies of other survivors. In many ways, "The Blood Years" was *just* another novel about WW2, but this one was not of mediocre quality like many of the releases in recent years.
There were some mentioning of sex and sexual violations which I didn't expect. I was going to share the book with my 10yo but I probably will hold on to the thought until he is a little older because of the sexual references.
The beginning of the book was definitely a young adult novel which I found the chapters were childish and boring. Not impressed at all. On hindsight, the beginning was important to form the backbones of the the characters whom I slowly fell in love with as the story unfolded.
About 1/3 of the way, when things became difficult for the Romanian, the tone of the book and the content were just as great as an excellent and rich adult historical novel.
I read two different novels about Romania during WW2, but this one stood out compare to the other two. I learned about the atrocious details of living in Romania as a Jew and other facts of the country that I didn't know about. The story touched me deeply because it was a retelling of the story of Frieda, the author's grandmother, and the testimonies of other survivors. In many ways, "The Blood Years" was *just* another novel about WW2, but this one was not of mediocre quality like many of the releases in recent years.
There were some mentioning of sex and sexual violations which I didn't expect. I was going to share the book with my 10yo but I probably will hold on to the thought until he is a little older because of the sexual references.
March 2, 2025
This was a hard-hitting story of a Jewish girl in Romania during WWII. Rieke lives with her grandfather who loves her unconditionally, her mother who has given up on herself and her older sister who calls her "Rat Tale". It's a story of fortitude, endurance and love and is based on the true story of the author's grandmother. So well written and beautifully portrays life for the Jewish people in Romania during that horrible era.
Be sure to listen or read the author's note as well.
Be sure to listen or read the author's note as well.
Read
March 6, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Antisemitism (theme)
Graphic rape of a teenage girl by an older man, on-page
Parental infidelity mentioned
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
War themes including both the mass murder of men by beatings and gunfire and threats of being sent to concentration camps
Food scarcity & starvation
Antisemitism (theme)
Graphic rape of a teenage girl by an older man, on-page
Parental infidelity mentioned
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
War themes including both the mass murder of men by beatings and gunfire and threats of being sent to concentration camps
Food scarcity & starvation
November 7, 2024
This book will make you cry. This book will be impossible to get out of your head. Both touching and traumatic.
January 24, 2024
incredibly moving and based on the author's grandmother's experiences during world war two. definitely going to be one of my top reads for 2024
July 4, 2024
This historical fiction is based on the life of the author’s grandmother leading up to and during World War II in Romania. I had not previously read about this specific country, and I found this book to be quite immersive and transporting. The story is about Rieke’s life with her mother, sister, and grandfather. Rieke remembers a trip to the country as a child and how idyllic life seemed in that setting. Later, she describes the ghetto where the family is forced to live. This book contains descriptions of rape, murder, and disease. It is a recent winner of the National Jewish Book Award.
August 13, 2023
So many emotions with this story about Romania during the Holocaust. I have never read a book that takes place in Romania during the Holocaust era so I learned a lot, like how the Soviets invaded first before being pushed out by the Nazis. Arnold beautifully details her grandmother's life during the Holocaust that will make readers furious and heartbroken about the atrocities that happened. Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC.
February 20, 2024
This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. I could write a really poignant raving review, but there is a lot of stuff I have to sit with first. A must read, even for people who don’t normally read YA. The writing is literary and beautiful.
November 27, 2023
oh shit. oh my god.
February 12, 2024
A hauntingly and beautifully written story about a terrifying part of history.
January 8, 2024
Hold onto your heart with this book. I love Elena K. Arnold’s books. I’ve read A Boy Called Bat, Harriet Spies and Sarla Jean Cracks the Case. These are all early grade novels that warmed my heart and made me love her writing. So, I was surprised to see that she has written MANY more books, including young adult novels. The Blood Years, her recent novel, has not warmed my heart… it stole it. In it, we meet Frederieke Teitler and her family living in Czernowitz in the twentieth century. It begins with the typical events in a growing girl’s life: school events, dance classes and squabbles with an older sister. But the reader soon realizes there is much, much more to uncover: complicated family relationships, the heartbreaking effects of war, illness and lives lost too soon. This unforgettable book is based on Elena’s grandmother’s accounts of growing up in Holocaust-era Romania and opens readers eyes to many of the stories still untold from that terrifying time. This is one of those books that will stop you in your tracks and take your breath away. It will make you think, make you cry and make you appreciate all you have. And while this book highlights the harrowing experiences of some from the past, the unfortunate truth is that many marginalized groups are still experiencing hate in the world today. I still cannot shake some of the scenes of this book and honestly, I probably shouldn’t try to. It’s reading novels like these that can help us choose better today and as Elena states in her Author’s Note, build the world, with love.
February 1, 2024
This book was absolutely incredible. I’m not sure any review I write can do it justice, but I’m going to try. Based on the author’s grandmother’s experiences in WWII era Romania, The Blood Years is a beautiful, heartbreaking and haunting look at a young Jewish girl and growing up in Czernowitz over the course of several years. It’s a story of resilience, strength, family and community. It is a brutal read that had me sobbing several times, but there were some really beautiful, sweet moments of humanity too. When we think about the Holocaust, for a lot of us, we immediately think of Germany so reading this story about the Jewish people in Romania and what they went through was incredibly eye opening. It’s a book I think everyone should read. I loved the author’s note at the end, urging us to remember that antisemitism didn’t end when Nazi Germany fell. I highly recommend this one, but absolutely check the trigger warnings because there are a lot of them.
CW: genocide, antisemitism, violence, sexual assault, suicide, infidelity, rape, murder, child death, grief
CW: genocide, antisemitism, violence, sexual assault, suicide, infidelity, rape, murder, child death, grief
December 27, 2023
This story packs a powerful punch. There are two author’s notes where the first, at the beginning, explains that this story is based on the author’s grandmother and her teenage years in Romania before and during WWII. The second note is at the end of the novel discussing the reality of the events and people her grandmother experienced. These events are harrowing and there is a need for trigger warning when recommending this book to our students, such as rape and genocide. Due to the realistic nature of the characters and events, I was drawn into the book and the characters. Even though I am aware of what happened to Romania during both occupations of Russia and Germany, I believe the way the circumstances and political manipulations of the Jewish people were well conveyed through the voices of the characters. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is looking to further their understanding of the experiences of the Jewish people during that time.
December 26, 2023
Frederieke and her older sister Astra live in Czernowitz, an area in modern-day Romania, in 1940. Life right now is very unstable for Rieke’s family, besides the fact that they live during a time where it’s especially dangerous to be Jewish. Her mother often secludes herself in her room, for her husband left her long ago and only reappears in her life whenever the need suits him. The only stable figure the girls have is their Opa, who owns his own business selling watches and jewelry. Rieke looks up to her sister and grandfather, but then Astra falls in love, and Rieke notices that her Opa knows more about upcoming mandates for Jews than he lets on. Rieke often feels left out and hurt. Soon, war breaks out in Europe, and then the Russians invade, followed by the Germans. Rieke and her family realize that survival must be their main goal, and they’re willing to do what they must to stay alive. That means finding hope where there seems to be none.
Another brilliant, haunting novel by Elana K. Arnold. Rieke’s story is so heartbreakingly real, and that’s because Arnold used her grandmother’s story to tell this one.
Another brilliant, haunting novel by Elana K. Arnold. Rieke’s story is so heartbreakingly real, and that’s because Arnold used her grandmother’s story to tell this one.
March 6, 2024
5 stars. Assorted thoughts:
Carlotta Brentan excellent narrator
No concentration camps in Romania
Wow for the forward: Transform pain into art… and her relationship with her grandma who said to write her story but name the main character frederika
Geese chasing them, bit fedrika with serated beak - geese don’t play!
Series of verbs in ing form: ways to be killed
Russians weren’t bad enough then came the Germans - Holocaust didn’t just happen in Germany, this book is Romania
Doesn’t shy away from bad stuff, told in a respectful way
Great analogy about broken plate
Honor the real lives trauma of the people
Excellent, moving author note
Carlotta Brentan excellent narrator
No concentration camps in Romania
Wow for the forward: Transform pain into art… and her relationship with her grandma who said to write her story but name the main character frederika
Geese chasing them, bit fedrika with serated beak - geese don’t play!
Series of verbs in ing form: ways to be killed
Russians weren’t bad enough then came the Germans - Holocaust didn’t just happen in Germany, this book is Romania
Doesn’t shy away from bad stuff, told in a respectful way
Great analogy about broken plate
Honor the real lives trauma of the people
Excellent, moving author note
December 23, 2024
A beautiful, heart rending story about two teenage Jewish sisters who survive WWII in Romania, which is a part of the war I knew less about. It was first occupied by the Russians, then the Germans, then the Russians again (but this time they were on the side of the Allies). The novel is based on the true story of the author's grandmother, and it is incredible and devastating what she and her family survived.
There is a somewhat open ending to the book, so I am hopeful the author writes a sequel; stories about how people recovered and coped in the aftermath are just as important as part of the history as what happened during the war.
There is a somewhat open ending to the book, so I am hopeful the author writes a sequel; stories about how people recovered and coped in the aftermath are just as important as part of the history as what happened during the war.
December 30, 2023
A harrowing story of a young girl struggles to survive the Holocaust in Romania.
This book is beautifully written, and I absolutely LOVED it. This is not an easy read, and I would advise checking trigger warnings. Even with knowledge of what happened, it's still so hard to read about, but this book had me so gripped that i could not put it down. A brilliant beautiful heart wrenching story.
Thank you to Harper 360 YA and Elana K Arnold for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book is beautifully written, and I absolutely LOVED it. This is not an easy read, and I would advise checking trigger warnings. Even with knowledge of what happened, it's still so hard to read about, but this book had me so gripped that i could not put it down. A brilliant beautiful heart wrenching story.
Thank you to Harper 360 YA and Elana K Arnold for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
January 22, 2024
I was really happy to see this win the Sydney Taylor Book Award today! I thought it was an excellent book, if almost too bleak for me (and I typically enjoy sad, dark books.) However, I think that's a testament to the seriousness with which Arnold approached the topic. It's a really impactful story.
November 8, 2024
You have to give it chance. Make it to 100 pages. You'll thank me for it.
April 29, 2025
very well written. a great interpretation of this historical period.
September 11, 2025
A good, horrible story.
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