Yellow Star

By: Jennifer Roy

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1939, the Germans invaded the town of Lodz, Poland, and moved the Jewish population into a small part of the city called a ghetto. As the war progressed, 270,000 people were forced to settle in the ghetto under impossible conditions.

At the end of the war, there were about 800 survivors. Of those who survived, only twelve were children. This is the story of one of the twelve.

©2006 Jennifer Roy (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“In vivid free verse, Jennifer Roy tells a story of hope and courage as gripping as Schindler’s List.” (Eric A. Kimmel, author of Gershon’s Monster, a Sydney Taylor Book Award winner)

“A stunning, poetic recreation of a life lived within the horror that was the Holocaust.” (Jane Yolen, author of The Devil’s Arithmetic and Briar Rose)

GHETTO

One should read a book about the Holocaust once a year or so. This book and others should be read in school. Perhaps if we had more education about the Nazi's and what they did, we would not have people waving their flags around. This is a true story and covers life in the Ghetto. The atrocities of the concentration camps are not in this book, but how the Jews were treated and the fear they lived in, is shown here. Lots of killing goes on in this book, but it is not graphic and I believe this would make a good start for younger kids to start being educated.

A young adult biography worthy for adults

As Holocaust survivors age and die, we need records of experiences to remind us how hatred can transform societies. Lodz, Poland will never be the same nor will countless other European communities where Jews and other hated people were transported to death or made to work as subhumans. This book is the story of one of only 12 children who survived the ghetto in Lodz as well as a story of her family members, who were part of the 800 people (out of a quarter of a million) who also survived.

For those of you who say you are "tired" of these books, I say: we need to remember so we can avoid the complacency that led to our country not believing what was happening to fellow human beings during World War II. Coping with systematic atrocities created heroes among those in the ghettos and camps. Yellow Star is an example of a family's strengths as well as luck in surviving. It is a well told, important story.

Amazing! Truly touching

What about Tavia Gilbert’s performance did you like?

She made it feel as if you were there.You could truly feel all that the author's Aunt went through on an emotional level.. The narration for this was excellent

Any additional comments?

I love reading books that have the story of someone's real life experiences, brought to reader's in a way that makes us feel as if we share in their journey with them. I found myself anxious,heartbroken, and going through the same emotions that this young survivor felt. Are there miracles? Yes. Did they receive an answer to prayers? I truly believe so and I have no doubt that God knew that through a child, many would be saved and healed of there own wounds through her continued work in life. It is back to the thought that trials in life can either tear you down,or polish you to a refined brilliance. I believe this woman shines brightly for all those she represents.

Well written story. Interesting, sad and inspiring

What did you love best about Yellow Star?

This is a true story which needs to be told. It gives a new perspective on all that we have and shows great strength in a time of turmoil.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sivia. Mainly because this is her story. I must say that her father quickly became my hero as well.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tavia Gilbert’s performances?

Yes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is no moment in particular. This story is full of riveting and intense moments. I think that her family support system was incredible. Her father in particular was her "rock".

Any additional comments?

The narration is spoken in a whine, through the entire story. While I get the anguish this young women must have felt, her strength shines through in the story. I can not imagine Sivia whining out this story. The narrator did not do this story justice. If I had it to do over I would have read the book rather than listen.

Riviting!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a very personal first hand account from the eyes of a child during a horrific period.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Yellow Star?

The desire of a small girl to hold onto some semblance of a past normal life while living through a new horrible normal.

Which scene was your favorite?

Each scene was described from the eyes of a child, without cumbrances of adult experience, so each change for her was memorable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she realizes that her friends are never coming back.

Utter horror through the eyes of a child

A story of terror and survival in a Warsaw ghetto as Syvia and her family battle the anti-Jewish rule during WWII. Horrifying tells of hiding in grave yards and watching loved ones leaving on one way train trips to their doom typify the daily struggle of Syvia's family and others as the battle for survival against all odds. Definitely up there with the Diary of Ann Frank and the works by Weisel and others that capture the struggle of the Jewish people as they struggle for existence through the brutal rule of Hitler, his henchmen, and the brain washed German populace.

An important story. Whining narration.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Anyone interested in the Holocaust should read / listen to this story. It's short. Told from the child perspective. HOWEVER, the narration was a challenge. Most of the narration was told in a whining voice. Tough to tolerate even for a short story.

What other book might you compare Yellow Star to and why?

Perhaps "The Book Thief" is the only story I can put close this. Only because its from the same era.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tavia Gilbert’s performances?

Perhaps.

Could you see Yellow Star being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

A movie would be an interesting attempt.

Any additional comments?

The story is important to hear. The narration (for a surly old man like myself) was a challenge. Perhaps read from a stronger perspective. My opinion is that a child's perspective (normally very malleable and possibly in a constant state of change), is challenging, and is seldom static. It's very (VERY) hard to imagine the main protagonist speaking in the narrators whining tone. Bring your cheese!!

Captivating View of Jewish Suffering During WWII

I consider myself a student of all things related to WWII. This book was a very interesting read, given that it's from the perspective of a young Jewish girl confined to a Polish ghetto by the Nazis. I appreciated the unique worldview of the girl and the author does a masterful job of communicating her emotions during the ups and downs of survival in the ghetto.

I was in tears at the end of this book, but I won't say why (no spoilers). A fast listen and wonderfully narrated.

exceptional!!!!

Would you listen to Yellow Star again? Why?

Yes! Fantastic narration. I loved the recap of
time line of events at the end

Engrossing

I could not stop listening to this audiobook. Another amazing story of a survivor of the holocaust. I can't beging to imagine what living at that time was like for a Jew.