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evaosterlee's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
3.0
abibliophobicbibliophile's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
ashleyaewert's review against another edition
4.0
Very heartfelt story. I could feel all of the emotion as Zander told his granddaughter about his experience as a child as a Jew during World War II. Music is powerful
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
What does Fiddler on the Roof, the holocaust and the aftermath of 9/11 all have in common? They are all about discrimination, be it Jews, or Muslims, or what?
And the author wove these all together to tell the story that seemingly didn't have a connection.
Oh, and a little romance thrown in besides.
The intertwining of these elements worked well, though they were telegraphed, a bit, because it was the only logical outcome. But, there were other surprises, that I didn't see coming.
Great book for middle grade readers to learn a little history, and compassion.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And the author wove these all together to tell the story that seemingly didn't have a connection.
Oh, and a little romance thrown in besides.
The intertwining of these elements worked well, though they were telegraphed, a bit, because it was the only logical outcome. But, there were other surprises, that I didn't see coming.
Great book for middle grade readers to learn a little history, and compassion.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
danyell919's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange
for an honest review. Guys - this book - it made me cry! I don’t typically shed literal tears when reading MG books but I couldn’t help it! World War II historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this book was one of the best I’ve read. It tells the story of Shirli and her grandfather who survived the Holocaust. This book is a must read! 5/5 stars!
for an honest review. Guys - this book - it made me cry! I don’t typically shed literal tears when reading MG books but I couldn’t help it! World War II historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this book was one of the best I’ve read. It tells the story of Shirli and her grandfather who survived the Holocaust. This book is a must read! 5/5 stars!
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
Shirli Berman auditions and gets a role in her middle school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. It's not the lead singing role she wanted, but she is playing the part of an old Jewish mother, and decides to ask her Zayde, her grandfather, if he can help her prepare for the part by remembering his deceased wife and her family before World War II. It's set a year after the Al-Qaeda attacks on the Twin Towers on 9-11.
As she's rummaging around in the attic in a trunk for clothes for period costumes, she comes across a violin case and a poster of her grandfather -- in a band! She's never heard her grandfather play, nor has he ever, not once, mentioned that he played violin or that other members of his family played instruments, too. In fact, he won't listen to music, or come to listen to her sing in recitals or performances, like Fiddler. But she never thought to ask him, why? She's fairly certain the people in the poster, advertising a performance, are her grandfather's family, all killed in the Holocaust, but she's afraid to ask too much about them for fear of upsetting her grandfather.
In the meantime, there's a boy, a super-cute one (a football player) a grade above her, who also got a role in the play -- as her Fiddler old man husband! And eyebrows quickly raise with their chemistry on stage.
Her Zayde finds the violin and poster she's unearthed, and at first he's very angry and locked in a world of hurt. But as he opens up to Shirli about his past, about what happened to his family during the Holocaust, he eventually decides to do something amazing.
I won't reveal what it is, but it's super-touching, and leads to, ultimately, a stronger bond with his granddaughter and perhaps some healing, while Shirli discovers her musical roots and explores a crush.
A great story for middle grade readers!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
As she's rummaging around in the attic in a trunk for clothes for period costumes, she comes across a violin case and a poster of her grandfather -- in a band! She's never heard her grandfather play, nor has he ever, not once, mentioned that he played violin or that other members of his family played instruments, too. In fact, he won't listen to music, or come to listen to her sing in recitals or performances, like Fiddler. But she never thought to ask him, why? She's fairly certain the people in the poster, advertising a performance, are her grandfather's family, all killed in the Holocaust, but she's afraid to ask too much about them for fear of upsetting her grandfather.
In the meantime, there's a boy, a super-cute one (a football player) a grade above her, who also got a role in the play -- as her Fiddler old man husband! And eyebrows quickly raise with their chemistry on stage.
Her Zayde finds the violin and poster she's unearthed, and at first he's very angry and locked in a world of hurt. But as he opens up to Shirli about his past, about what happened to his family during the Holocaust, he eventually decides to do something amazing.
I won't reveal what it is, but it's super-touching, and leads to, ultimately, a stronger bond with his granddaughter and perhaps some healing, while Shirli discovers her musical roots and explores a crush.
A great story for middle grade readers!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
rebar351's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so beautifully written!! I feel like everyone needs to read this book!! This book made me cry and smile all at the same time!! I loved all the characters and the play the school puts on and learning about a grandfathers haunting past when the Nazis came in and turned his world upside down and telling it to his grand daughter!! Highly recommend!!
surabhi_arkalgud's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book because the genre is historical fiction and that's one of my favourite genres. It is also very relatable and really interesting for middle-grade readers.
tcbueti's review against another edition
5.0
Although I initially found the gushy voice of narrator Shirli annoying, and the writing in the first few chapters was a bit clunky, this book won me over once Shirli's widowed Zayde entered the picture. Their relationship was so devoted and caring, and the way he revealed his story, slowly and with both hesitation and courage, added both suspense and depth to this story. (He would have died with his secrets if Shirli hadn't come across the violin and poster in his attic, which he had told his wife to destroy.) The painful loss of his entire family and, thus, of his love for music, and the healing afforded by both sharing his secrets and helping Shirli and her castmates present "Fiddler on the Roof", is a moving tribute to the power of music. The connection Zayde made between his experience and to post 9/11 profiling and prejudice was striking and solid, and his desire to extend support to others was brave and inspiring.
Zayde is an amazing character. His exploration of Ben, who is not Jewish, playing Tevye and liking his granddaughter, leads to a gentle cast-wide talk with/about another student, Mohammed, and to Zayde's new friend, who is a Hindu. Zayde even encourages the not-great fiddler on the roof of this show, by sharing his own violin.
It helped to be familiar with the show--sometimes I wished they would include more of the lyrics, but maybe they couldn't get permission. Anyway, presenting this to a class could lead to lots of deep discussions about the historical events and differences, which should definitely include clips from the show.
The two authors have lots of books to their credit. Kathy Kacer has written several books about the Holocaust, and has kids who perform--those stage details were spot on.
Moving and timely book about family, history, differences and music.
Zayde is an amazing character. His exploration of Ben, who is not Jewish, playing Tevye and liking his granddaughter, leads to a gentle cast-wide talk with/about another student, Mohammed, and to Zayde's new friend, who is a Hindu. Zayde even encourages the not-great fiddler on the roof of this show, by sharing his own violin.
It helped to be familiar with the show--sometimes I wished they would include more of the lyrics, but maybe they couldn't get permission. Anyway, presenting this to a class could lead to lots of deep discussions about the historical events and differences, which should definitely include clips from the show.
The two authors have lots of books to their credit. Kathy Kacer has written several books about the Holocaust, and has kids who perform--those stage details were spot on.
Moving and timely book about family, history, differences and music.
olliet23's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book wasn’t bad and it has important themes I think should be explored, but if you don’t know about fiddler on the roof I wouldn’t recommend this book to you