The Blackbird Girls

By: Anne Blankman

Narrated by: Kathleen Gati, Natasha Soudek

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

National Jewish Book Award Winner

A Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor Book

Like Ruta Sepetys for middle grade, Anne Blankman pens a poignant and timeless story of friendship that twines together moments in underexplored history.

On a spring morning, neighbors Valentina Kaplan and Oksana Savchenko wake up to an angry red sky. A reactor at the nuclear power plant where their fathers work—Chernobyl—has exploded. Before they know it, the two girls, who've always been enemies, find themselves on a train bound for Leningrad to stay with Valentina's estranged grandmother, Rita Grigorievna. In their new lives in Leningrad, they begin to learn what it means to trust another person. Oksana must face the lies her parents told her all her life. Valentina must keep her grandmother's secret, one that could put all their lives in danger. And both of them discover something they've wished for: a best friend. But how far would you go to save your best friend's life? Would you risk your own?

Told in alternating perspectives among three girls—Valentina and Oksana in 1986 and Rifka in 1941—this story shows that hatred, intolerance, and oppression are no match for the power of true friendship.

©2020 Anne Blankman (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"A gripping adventure and a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship in the face of troubling times."—Margaret Peterson Haddix, New York Times bestselling author

"A powerful and beautifully written story that explores the losses and growing friendship of two girls whose lives and beliefs are forever changed after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It's truly an unforgettable work that left me breathless."—Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor author of Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods

"This unique novel by Anne Blankman brings powerful moments in history into sharp (and tear-inducing) focus...Not to be missed."—Jane Yolen, author of The Devil's Arithmetic, Briar Rose, and Mapping the Bones

Pretty good

One problem I had was that it didn’t really captivate me until half way through the book but once I got past that point, it was really good. So for anyone who is or planning on reading this book, just wait.

Listen to this every month !

This is great for people 9-15 ! This book is interesting and has characters that you can actually like! So happy to see there is another book , wish there were more !

Excellent

My 16-year old son & I read this so he could get extra credit by participating in our One Book One Community discussion. It was very good. We both enjoyed it.

Good read but slow readers.

Good read but slow readers. I enjoyed the book and the readers were excellent though I felt they read a little too slowly.

An Honest Portrayal

Blackman is an amazing writer who uses historical fiction to sincerely chronicle the challenges and horrors of life in the USSR during the aftermath of Chernobyl through the eyes of children who find love and acceptance despite the unwelcoming prejudices of their fellow citizens. I was unable to stop listening to it and wish the book had not ended.

Girl's Story

Really enjoyed the story. The reading was excellent It's more of a girl's story so I want mt 12 year old granddaughter to listen to it.

Wonderful historical fiction!

I loved this book! Not only is it a beautiful story of friendship between two girls who have been taught to hate each other, it is full of history, geography, and cultural lessons. It fosters empathy, encourages kindness and empowers abused children to seek help and understand that they are not the problem. Highly recommend!

Powerful & moving

This book was moving, inspiring, and educational. The narration was particularly powerful. The characters quickly and easily became real to me, and the simplicity of the children’s views on hard issues and the complexity of the content & characters made for a compassionate and accessible engagement with the heartbreaking subject matter. I’d recommend this book to people to anyone.

Remarkable story

There is history we all need to hear and learn. This story was based on true events. Those events should never be forgotten.

Awesome story!!

The story is awesome and moving and the readers are great!!! I will definitely suggest it to my friends