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jbrooxd's review against another edition
5.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
This will most definitely be one of my favorite books for 2019. I adored this story and these characters from start to finish. I wish I could give this more than five stars. There are so many things to love about this - the characters, the heart, the musical pieces and the historical pieces.
Shirli's family is fascinating, from her grandfather's history in the Holocaust to her dad's longing to know more about his family of origin. Shirli's grandfather has held in all of his stories and his grief in an attempt to run from his past. Shirli's role in Fiddler on the Roof launches the whole family on a healing journey that is just delightful to watch.
Not only did I love the characters and the growth that takes place across the story, but I learned new things about the Holocaust as well. There's a lovely thread of the story that happens when Shirli's grandfather makes a new Hindu friend and also when he interacts with a Muslim student at Shirli's school. These are vital interactions considering the setting of the story, five months after the attacks on September 11th.
I cannot recommend this one highly enough. This would be outstanding for a classroom read aloud or for student book groups. I was so happy to see this listed as a book for readers from 10 to 14 years old, that "older middle grade" crowd that can get lost in the transition from middle grade to YA. This is absolute perfection! [My one complaint was how often the review copy referred to the oldest students in the junior high as "seniors." The book clearly states at the start that Shirli is an 8th grader in a junior high, but then the older students - technically freshmen - are called seniors throughout the rest of the story. I hope that will have been corrected by the time the book publishes in September.]
This will most definitely be one of my favorite books for 2019. I adored this story and these characters from start to finish. I wish I could give this more than five stars. There are so many things to love about this - the characters, the heart, the musical pieces and the historical pieces.
Shirli's family is fascinating, from her grandfather's history in the Holocaust to her dad's longing to know more about his family of origin. Shirli's grandfather has held in all of his stories and his grief in an attempt to run from his past. Shirli's role in Fiddler on the Roof launches the whole family on a healing journey that is just delightful to watch.
Not only did I love the characters and the growth that takes place across the story, but I learned new things about the Holocaust as well. There's a lovely thread of the story that happens when Shirli's grandfather makes a new Hindu friend and also when he interacts with a Muslim student at Shirli's school. These are vital interactions considering the setting of the story, five months after the attacks on September 11th.
I cannot recommend this one highly enough. This would be outstanding for a classroom read aloud or for student book groups. I was so happy to see this listed as a book for readers from 10 to 14 years old, that "older middle grade" crowd that can get lost in the transition from middle grade to YA. This is absolute perfection! [My one complaint was how often the review copy referred to the oldest students in the junior high as "seniors." The book clearly states at the start that Shirli is an 8th grader in a junior high, but then the older students - technically freshmen - are called seniors throughout the rest of the story. I hope that will have been corrected by the time the book publishes in September.]
adastraperlibros's review against another edition
3.0
"Sometimes letting go is the best thing you can do. It's taken me a long time to begin to understand that."
Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer is a middle grade novel about Shirli Berman, a middle schooler recently cast as the lead in her school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. When poking around her grandfather's attic looking for props they could use, she discovers an old violin. When she shows it to him he flies into a rage and refuses to talk about it, but over time he slowly opens up about his and his family's experiences during the Holocaust.
Set in New Jersey in the months immediately after 9/11, this book doesn't shy away from the uptick in Islamophobia and racism during that time. The themes are quite serious, but always presented in an age-appropriate way for the target audience. My only thing, and this is a personal pet peeve of mine, is that Shirli is almost a secondary character in her own story. She's the narrator, of course, and she's got a whole side plot with her co-lead and attractive-football-boy Ben, but this is more her grandfather's story than hers. He's the emotional heart of the book, and it's him deciding when to reveal more about his life that drives the narrative forward, rather than any action on Shirli's part.
Shirli's grandfather helps her and her friends draw connections between his past and their present in a really beautiful way. It's not the most engaging read as an adult, some of the writing and dialogue can be stilted and awkward, but overall this would be a great pick for younger readers.
Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer is a middle grade novel about Shirli Berman, a middle schooler recently cast as the lead in her school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. When poking around her grandfather's attic looking for props they could use, she discovers an old violin. When she shows it to him he flies into a rage and refuses to talk about it, but over time he slowly opens up about his and his family's experiences during the Holocaust.
Set in New Jersey in the months immediately after 9/11, this book doesn't shy away from the uptick in Islamophobia and racism during that time. The themes are quite serious, but always presented in an age-appropriate way for the target audience. My only thing, and this is a personal pet peeve of mine, is that Shirli is almost a secondary character in her own story. She's the narrator, of course, and she's got a whole side plot with her co-lead and attractive-football-boy Ben, but this is more her grandfather's story than hers. He's the emotional heart of the book, and it's him deciding when to reveal more about his life that drives the narrative forward, rather than any action on Shirli's part.
Shirli's grandfather helps her and her friends draw connections between his past and their present in a really beautiful way. It's not the most engaging read as an adult, some of the writing and dialogue can be stilted and awkward, but overall this would be a great pick for younger readers.
jilljemmett's review against another edition
5.0
This story takes place a few months after 9/11, so it is appropriate that it was released the day before September 11, 2019.
There was a lot of past trauma explored in this story. Shirli’s grandfather survived the Holocaust, but he never spoke about his experience at Auschwitz. Shirli is now living in a world where everyone is suspicious of people with brown skin, because they may be Muslim. Though the Holocaust and 9/11 were different events, they both left people discriminated against because of their religion.
This story made me tear up a few times. Shirli’s grandfather’s experience at Aushwitz was difficult to read, but it is an important part of history that everyone should know. This was a very powerful story!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot of past trauma explored in this story. Shirli’s grandfather survived the Holocaust, but he never spoke about his experience at Auschwitz. Shirli is now living in a world where everyone is suspicious of people with brown skin, because they may be Muslim. Though the Holocaust and 9/11 were different events, they both left people discriminated against because of their religion.
This story made me tear up a few times. Shirli’s grandfather’s experience at Aushwitz was difficult to read, but it is an important part of history that everyone should know. This was a very powerful story!
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
mollykate19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
miss_mustard's review against another edition
4.0
A good intro into heavy historical topics and their lasting impacts. The interactions between characters and the historical background are the shining stars of this book! For my students, I personally would have liked some elements to have been given the time/space to be a bit more expanded, as some of the developments did feel a bit quick, but it is well suited for the age level of the RMBA for which it is nominated! While it has been flying through my grade 8 classes this year and they have had the most exposure to studying the historical events referenced (Holocaust & 9/11, especially), this story would be an excellent way to begin discussions in the 6s and 7s as well - though taking the time to provide that important context will be necessary. Shirli and Ben's friendship/flirtationship was super adorable and never took up more space than it needed, as sometimes happens in upper middle grade fiction. Plus, it provided a lovely balance of levity to the seriousness of Shirli's discoveries and progressing relationship with her Zeyde.
Also, even though I know this was Shirli's story, my heart broke for her father and his slow, stunted, shy discovery of his own father's past through his daughter's relationship with Zeyde and not his own.
Also, even though I know this was Shirli's story, my heart broke for her father and his slow, stunted, shy discovery of his own father's past through his daughter's relationship with Zeyde and not his own.
em_and_em's review against another edition
4.0
I received an arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Shirli discovers a family secret when she rummages in her grandfather's attic to find props for her show, fiddler on the roof.
What I liked:
-The story fit together nicely with 9/11, discrimination and WW2 being connected together.
-It had a violin in a story, and I love it when stringed instruments actually play an important part.
-I liked how they put in a lot of references to 9/11 so you don't forget that is when the story is set.
Didn't like as much:
-Kind of predictable
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who think the topic looks interesting, because it is worth your time.
Shirli discovers a family secret when she rummages in her grandfather's attic to find props for her show, fiddler on the roof.
What I liked:
-The story fit together nicely with 9/11, discrimination and WW2 being connected together.
-It had a violin in a story, and I love it when stringed instruments actually play an important part.
-I liked how they put in a lot of references to 9/11 so you don't forget that is when the story is set.
Didn't like as much:
-Kind of predictable
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who think the topic looks interesting, because it is worth your time.
rachreads925's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful short read at only 288 pages, the book focuses on discussing the Holocaust with teenagers. Shirli is a 7th grader who loves theater and her family. She shows a wisdom beyond her years, and a secret keeping ability that would be hard to find among adults three times her age. Her Bubbe (grandmother) has recently passed away, so during a visit to her Zayde (grandfather) - she finds items in his attic that shock her. The beginning dragged a bit, but from here on out - this is where it got interesting. While I guessed at the secret pretty early on, I still enjoyed the ride. The writing is well done, and the way the Holocaust is discussed is perfect for that 11-13 year old age range.
So I do have a few issues with the book. There is little character development beyond Shirli and her Zayde, the others exist as secondary characters who serve to only push the story along. Shirli is a perfect teenager, never fights with her parents and never complains. Shirli and the other characters exist in a bubble without concerns for social ramifications which is not a typical middle schooler.
Would I recommend this book? Definitely! I am reading this as an adult, and I'm not sure a pre-teen or young teenager would have the same issues with the book that I do.
Thanks to Puffin Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
So I do have a few issues with the book. There is little character development beyond Shirli and her Zayde, the others exist as secondary characters who serve to only push the story along. Shirli is a perfect teenager, never fights with her parents and never complains. Shirli and the other characters exist in a bubble without concerns for social ramifications which is not a typical middle schooler.
Would I recommend this book? Definitely! I am reading this as an adult, and I'm not sure a pre-teen or young teenager would have the same issues with the book that I do.
Thanks to Puffin Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
kaisermatthias's review against another edition
4.0
This is an arresting and gripping narrative, that explores exactly what the blurb promises. The story is tightly crafted, and the emotional blows are intense. I would have rated 5 stars, except the authors cheerfully declared that voice lessons are taken from coaches, which as a voice teacher is one of my biggest pet peeves. Coaches teach songs, teachers make sure you know how to sing correctly. In a story this focused on music the only reason they received 4 stars is because of how well-written the remainder of hte story was.