Children of the Stars

De: Mario Escobar

Narrado por: Zach Hoffman

From international best-selling author Mario Escobar comes a story of escape, sacrifice, and hope amid the perils of the Second World War.

August 1942. Jacob and Moses Stein, two young Jewish brothers, are staying with their aunt in Paris amid the Nazi occupation. The boys’ parents, well-known German playwrights, have left the brothers in their aunt’s care until they can find safe harbor for their family. But before the Steins can reunite, a great and terrifying roundup occurs. The French gendarmes, under Nazi order, arrest the boys and take them to the Vélodrome d’Hiver - a massive, bleak structure in Paris where thousands of France’s Jews are being forcibly detained.

Jacob and Moses know they must flee in order to survive, but they only have a set of letters sent from the South of France to guide them to their parents. Danger lurks around every corner as the boys, with nothing but each other, trek across the occupied country. Along their remarkable journey, they meet strangers and brave souls who put themselves at risk to protect the children - some of whom pay the ultimate price for helping these young refugees of war.

This inspiring novel, now available for the first time in English, demonstrates the power of family and the endurance of the human spirit - even through the darkest moments of human history.

• World War II historical fiction inspired by true events
• Book length: 94,000 words
• Includes a historical timeline and notes from the author

“A poignant telling of the tragedies of war and the sacrificing kindness of others seen through the innocent eyes of children.” (J’nell Ciesielski, best-selling author of The Socialite and Beauty Among Ruins)

©2020 Mario Escobar (P)2020 Thomas Nelson

Eyes of a Child

It was interesting seeing the events in the eyes of the two boys. How they saw the holocaust is different than the adults. Thankfully they did not know the facts about the camps. They were certainly brave to make the trip to find their parents .

Great read!

Love this book. You get all emotions and it is a fabulous book. I would recommend to anyone

The love of the two brothers

I loved the way Jacob took care of his younger brother. The love they had for each other. The way they struggled to find their parents. It is a heartwarming

Great read.

I enjoyed the historical fiction and the characters a very interesting read. I recommend this book.

Good Performance, Story Okay

Performance was great. The story was exciting until the end.
SPOILER BELOW__<<

The parents are such b@st@rds that I don't feel as though they deserved the boys. They should've been the ones to search the world for the boys, not vice versa.

Brotherhood at its best

I've read a couple of Escobar's books this summer and I'm now a huge fan. This story not only shows brotherhood at its best, but also shares that strangers can become like family thru their kindness in hard times.

Was this a Young Adult Book?

It's an inspiring story, and undoubtely there are people who were caught up in the war and the holocaust who were extremely lucky. But after a while, I came to expect that these two boys would have a charmed experience wherever they went and whatever they did. Sure, there were the 'close calls,' intended to create some tension, but they always and invariably managed to fall into the hands of completely trustworthy and benevolent strangers.

I couldn't help thinking this was written to introduce young readers to the holocaust, highlighting a positive side. Bad outcomes are only alluded to, so that readers only see their shadows along the very edges of the page.

That's not inherently bad. But for people who have a deeper understanding of the war, the German occupation in France, and the holocaust, I think this book might seem a bit Pollyannaish.

An excellent read

This book is an excellent historical fiction novel about two French Jewish boys and their endeavors to reunite with their parents. In such a dark time in history, this story although fictional includes much historical fact. Well worth your time to read! Enjoy!

the importance of family

The interweaving of actual places and people to tell a story of great suffering and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.

Sacrifice for others

I appreciated the historical representation of the children and others who were cared for and assisted during these horrible circumstances. “Our life is not the sum of our expectations, it is the outcome of our decisions.” I appreciated hearing of others who made choices for the benefits of others amidst doubtful expectations. .