A review by lighthousebooks
The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 is a beautifully written story told from the point of view of two girls, Valentina and Oksana, classmates who are enemies who find themselves unexpectedly living with Valentina’s estranged grandmother Rita Grigorievna (third POV) after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. 

💭 I had a hard time putting this book down. It was terribly heart-wrenching, yet so healing and hopeful, too. I really enjoyed learning more about this time in history. In fact, I remember seeing the Chernobyl nuclear disaster reported in the news on our ancient color TV. 

✝️ Addresses the nature of evil in a powerful and memorable way. Illustrates how faith can be so easily lost in a generation and how integral it is to our souls: we were made to worship. 

📝 Topics: World War II, Ukraine/Uzbekistan/Soviet Union, Chernobyl nuclear disaster, antisemitism, diaspora, family trauma, communism, totalitarianism, religious persecution, child abuse (graphic; resources provided).

🎟️ Age: This book is variously described as middle grade (8–12) or young adult (12-18). There is some disturbing content that is not appropriate for middle grade IMO. 

🎙️“She didn’t understand how he could have been both wonderful and terrible. Why couldn’t he have been one or the other? Then she would have been able to love or hate him. Instead, she felt stuck.”

🎙️“Tears flooded her eyes. God hadn't murdered her family. The German soldiers had. People had killed. Not God. She didn't have to hate God. She could love Him again.”