Reviews

The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

utahmomreads's review

5.0

THE BLACKBIRD GIRLS by Anna Blankman was on the list of books for the 7th grade Maine Reading Award so I got it for my 12yo for Christmas. After reading & enjoying ALL THIRTEEN as a family, we decided to read this one aloud too.

When we started, we didn’t know how timely it would be. The novel is set in Ukraine and begins in the town of Pripyat where the Chernobyl workers lived with their families. The accident at Chernobyl in 1986 would change the lives of 11yo Oksana and Valentina.

The novel moves about the different provinces of the Soviet Union and also tells the story of Rifka, a Jewish girl, who had to flee Kyiv as the Germans advanced on the city during WWII.

Besides being an absolutely beautiful and emotional novel, THE BLACKBIRD GIRLS has also helped us understand some of the history of the Ukraine/Russian area. I highly recommend it and my entire family was once again entranced each evening.

(Coincidentally, I was also 11 years old in 1986 so my daughters were able to understand that this history wasn’t really so long ago.)

bibliobrandie's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this historical fiction middle grade novel. Two stories unfold. The first is about two unlikely friends after the nuclear power plant explosion in Chernobyl. I realized how very little I knew of of this event that happened in my lifetime. The second story is of Rifka who must flee Kiev on foot during WWII. I loved the characters in the book, especially the grandmother. It’s a beautiful story of friendship. I would recommend this to fans of Jennifer Nielsen and Alan Gratz.

nedge's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

madsmikks's review

5.0

this book was truly incredible

donplata's review

adventurous emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

the_herbal_carnivore's review against another edition

4.0

My girls really enjoyed this book. It was actually quite the book, held you on quite well. Some parts were nerve-wracking, others joyous, others suspenseful. All sorts of emotions really. A lovely and powerful historical fiction story.

natalyamarie_'s review

4.0

The book overall was good. There were a few times where the plot and storyline was hard to follow but it was a great book.

librarydosebykristy's review

5.0

I loved this historical fiction about a topic I have never seen in Kidlit - Chernobyl.

The emotional journey of the characters was very reminiscent of The War that Saved my Life.

Grade 5 and up,

7h0m45_7r3vi11i4n's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

pencil_to_the_temple's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I could not pronounce any of these names