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With each note played, the narrative explores themes of resilience and the healing power of art. The characters grapple with their identities, as they uncover the truth behind their family's history and the weight of expectations. This poignant tale highlights the transformative journey of self-discovery and the importance of family bonds, even when shrouded in shadows.
As the school musical approaches, the stakes rise, pushing the characters to face their fears and embrace their heritage. The intertwined stories of past and present create an atmosphere where music not only tells a story but also unearths the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. This heartwarming narrative captivates readers, inviting them to reflect on the strings that connect us all.
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Absolutely beautiful story!! In this novel, we meet Shirli Berman, a young Jewish girl who loves to act and perform in her school musicals. She wants to be Hodel in this production of Fiddler on the Roof but she is instead cast as Golde. What she doesn't realize is just how perfect this role is going to be. While looking for clothes to use for costumes in her grandfather's attic, she comes across his violin and we begin the adventure of learning the life this Holocaust survivor has truly lived. She learns the value of family, love, and music! LOVE THIS BOOK AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Ended in tears but it was all worth it! Favorite quotes:"My dream was to perform in front of thousands of people. Something always happened to me when I stepped in front of an audience. Sure, I was nervous. But for me, the nerves would fade and a rush of excitement would take over -like being at a fireworks display or being a part of the fireworks." Pg. 4"Don't get me wrong. I did not say that the man runs the family. The man may be the head of the family but the wife is the neck. The wife tells the head where to look, and without the neck the head just flops around and can't do anything. My mother ran our family, the way your Bubbie ran this house and your mother runs your home." Pg. 82"I turned the corner, entering the living room, and that's when I saw him. Zayde was standing in front of the fireplace, his back turned to me. The old violin that I had found in the attic was tucked under his chin. His right hand held the bow, which he drew across the strings that had miraculously been repaired. Zayde was playing his violin!" pg. 136"Apparently I'm supposed to play, if that would be okay with everybody. But I have a condition. When I played as a boy, I always had my family with me. And I think I need to have family perform with me now. Shirli?" Zayde raised his violin once more and started to play. It was "Sunrise, Sunset." The notes were long and full and rich and as I looked out, the entire audience was standing in silence, eyes wide, amazed and entranced. And in the middle of everyone, there was my father, tears streaming down his cheeks as he heard his father play for the first time. It made me want to cry too!" Pg. 274
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.
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.