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)

Through The Eyes Of the Innocent

Powerful historical account as seen from the eyes of a young child. Appreciated the tie in to actual events throughout the story to lend perpective.

Sad, but important to listen to and remember

This true account is based on the memories of a child who survived the Nazi's slaughter of Jews in Poland. It is well written and conveys the tragedy clearly but without revolting details that have been well documented in other accounts. The narration is excellent

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.

Great, First Person Presentation

What a difficult account to write. I appreciate both the author and the narrator. I encourage everyone to listen to this account from a child's point of view, a survivor of the holocaust and one of the few surviving children of one of Poland's Jewish ghettos. Precious history.

Beautiful

The narrator was wonderful, with her deep voice for the father, her childish voice for the speaker, and she played everything very well, to the point where it felt like you were in the story. The author did a wonderful job with this survival tale, and I highly recommend it.

couldn't finish

I really wanted to read (hear) story. But I couldn't take this voice any longer.

Extremely Powerful Tale

What made the experience of listening to Yellow Star the most enjoyable?

It was incredibly well written and narrated. Both the deep descriptions of the people and the environment, as well as the tone, inflection, and energy of the narrator allowed me to see the story in my head, almost like a movie. I was completely absorbed. I had shivers several times, and had to hold back from weeping several times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Papa- he is an incredible leader and a hero.

Have you listened to any of Tavia Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me weepy in several places, and in the end, I could feel the hope and relief of the survivors.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad to have come across this brilliantly told tale. It does an incredible job depicting the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust of WWII, and the great strength and endurance of the Jewish people who survived.

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

A captivating listen from start to finish. Listening to the real life struggle of being a Jewish child in such turbulent and horrifying times as the Holocaust from the eyes of that child is something worth hearing. I found myself on the edge of my seat hoping to know what happened of her and her family, even though I knew she had to have survived for this book to have been written. At times, I found myself crying, and at a few times, I found myself smiling, because through all the pain, here and there are sprinkled lightly small bits of happiness. It's definitely worth your time. Please, give it a listen.

Sad but wonderfully written

This story was very well written. I loved the choice to tell it in first person through the eyes of a child it seemed to make it more personal and easier to hear. We all need to hear these stories and remember. The narrator did a great job and I enjoyed the audio version a great deal.