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Yellow Star

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006

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Book Brief

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Jennifer Roy

Yellow Star

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006
Book Details
Pages

227

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Łódź Ghetto, Poland • 1940s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

710L

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Super Short Summary

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy is a novel in verse that recounts the experiences of Syvia Perlmutter, the author's aunt, during the Holocaust in the Lodz Ghetto from February 1940 to January 1945, highlighting her family's struggle for survival amid immense hardships, deportations, and starvation, while showcasing their courage and resilience. The book discusses antisemitism, violence, and murder.

Dark

Emotional

Heartwarming

Inspirational

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.3

22,418 ratings

83%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jennifer Roy's Yellow Star is compelling and poignant, praised for its accessibility and emotional depth. Critics commend its portrayal of historical events through a young narrator, engaging readers with its authenticity and simplicity. Some find its verse format limiting in narrative detail. Overall, it's highly recommended for its educational value and moving storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Yellow Star?

Readers who appreciate The Diary of Anne Frank or Number the Stars will be captivated by Jennifer Roy's Yellow Star. This poignant, accessible narrative is ideal for middle-grade to young adult readers interested in World War II, Holocaust survival stories, and themes of resilience and hope.

4.3

22,418 ratings

83%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Syvia Perlmutter

The protagonist and narrator who shares her experiences from the age of four-and-a-half during the war to liberation at almost ten, capturing her transition from a carefree child to a survivor.

Father to Syvia, portrayed as resourceful and courageous, who works to protect his family and others within the constraints and dangers of the Lodz Ghetto.

Mother to Syvia, depicted as loving and selfless, known for her sacrifices to ensure the wellbeing of her daughters despite the severe hardships they face.

Syvia's older sister, initially enjoying a carefree life, who grapples with the dramatic changes brought on by the war while displaying protective instincts towards her young sister.

Book Details
Pages

227

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Łódź Ghetto, Poland • 1940s

Publication Year

2006

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

710L

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