The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman, Viking, 9781984837356, 2020
Format: First Edition Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Historical Fiction
What did you like about the book? This engrossing historical fiction novel transports you back to Soviet Russia where two unlikely friends fight for their lives. Oskana and Valentina have disliked each other from the beginning and could not be more different. Valentina, a Jewish girl, is struggling to deal with the bullying that that title brings. Oskana, a child of abuse, looks down upon Valentina while she tries to make her father happy. Both of these girls have one thing in common: their fathers were both working at the Chernobyl factory when it exploded. With the radiation and loss of their fathers, the girls come together in an unlikely friendship to battle their demons and move forward.
Written from multiple perspectives, this book dives into a friendship that evolves over time. One of the reasons that I loved this book so much is that it dealt with themes that are important and valuable. Anti-Semitism, abuse, and childhood loss are all topics that are addressed in a way that truly shows readers how it can affect both children and adults alike.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? I would recommend this book to any readers who enjoy historical fiction. Readers who loved books such as The War That Saved My Life, Esperanza Rising, and The Night Diary will find it similarly enjoyable.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries, elementary schools, middle schools.
Where would you shelve it? Historical Fiction
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Marisa Marion, Locke Middle School, Billerica MA
Date of review: 6/5/2020
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