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The Earth Is Singing
My Name is Hanna Michelson. I am fifteen. I am Latvian.
I live with my mother and grandmother. My father is missing - taken by the Russians.
I have a boyfriend. When he holds my hand, everything feels perfect.
I'm training to be a dancer. But none of that matters now.
Because the Nazis have arrived, and I am a Jew. And as far as they are concerned, that is all that matters.
This is my story.
I live with my mother and grandmother. My father is missing - taken by the Russians.
I have a boyfriend. When he holds my hand, everything feels perfect.
I'm training to be a dancer. But none of that matters now.
Because the Nazis have arrived, and I am a Jew. And as far as they are concerned, that is all that matters.
This is my story.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2015
32 people are currently reading
1250 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Curtis
18 books96 followersI'm a children's author whose first book 'Zelah Green: Queen of Clean' is published by Egmont UK and won the Manchester Children's Book Awards 2010. It was also shortlisted for the 2010 Young Minds, the 2009 Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the NASEN awards and the 2010 Bolton Children's Book Awards. I now write historical novels for young adults, including the Carnegie-longlisted 'The Earth is Singing' which also won the Young Quills Award and is published by Usborne. Usborne are to publish 'The One Who Knows My Name', my story of a girl who finds out that she's been stolen by the Nazis as part of Himmler's 'Lebensborn' programme, in February 2019 when they will also republish 'The Earth is Singing' as an Usborne Modern Classic.
I have also published two biographies of Virginia Woolf and work as a literary consultant. I'm married to fellow author Tim Bowler and live in Devon.
I have also published two biographies of Virginia Woolf and work as a literary consultant. I'm married to fellow author Tim Bowler and live in Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 4, 2015
I can't say i enjoyed this book because of the horrible subject matter but i am glad i read it. I would read sequel if the author wrote one.
May 3, 2015
4.5 stars
I purchased this book not realising that it is intended for Young Readers. I read a lot of Holocaust literature and have to say that this is an excellent read for those new to the subject as well as young readers. The authors family originated from Latvia so the book is set in Riga following the story of her Hanna, a student at a ballet school when the Russian Occupation of Riga ends and the Nazi's invade. Whilst this is a work of fiction it is based on actual events and covers topics such as going into hiding, betrayals, ghettos, forced labours and deportations. I would put his book in the top ten must reads for Holocaust literature for Young readers alongside The Diary of Anne Frank and Eva's Story by Eva Schloss. An excellent and highly recommended read.
I purchased this book not realising that it is intended for Young Readers. I read a lot of Holocaust literature and have to say that this is an excellent read for those new to the subject as well as young readers. The authors family originated from Latvia so the book is set in Riga following the story of her Hanna, a student at a ballet school when the Russian Occupation of Riga ends and the Nazi's invade. Whilst this is a work of fiction it is based on actual events and covers topics such as going into hiding, betrayals, ghettos, forced labours and deportations. I would put his book in the top ten must reads for Holocaust literature for Young readers alongside The Diary of Anne Frank and Eva's Story by Eva Schloss. An excellent and highly recommended read.
December 5, 2014
This is the story about three women from one Jewish family at the time when the Nazi's invade their town. This is a remarkable well told story that both astonishes and is heartbreaking while being beautiful written. These three strong women from three generations are to be admired,they are resilient , smart and courageous , it was a pleasure reading about them and the emotions and struggles they went through, you really feel for these people. There were moments I had a lump in my throat and I think that is something special when an author can do that. The youngest girl in the family is called Hanna and she is the narrator , her father has gone away and no one is sure where he has gone or if he will be back, and with the invasion of these terrifying troups it is a fearful time, her mama is trying to support and care for her and her own mother or as Hanna calls her Omama.
I recommend this book for any fans of Anne Frank . Unforgettable and touching!
I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids
February 13, 2025
Hi.
Latvian here. Born and raised in Latvia.
Stumbled upon this book by accident, and read it very quickly. Especially enjoyed this one, because I used to live in the old territory of Riga ghetto (Līksnas street, right next to the old Jewish cemetery, which is now a memorial park, because the cemetery itself was also destroyed and all the marble gravestones used in building new houses - a monstrous thing), so I could easily visualize what happened and where.
Really liked the story, we do appreciate heavy historical topics here, but I do have some small things that stood out to me.
Street names. Yes, ''Skārņu iela'' is a thing, but ''iela'' means ''street'', so why not "Skārņu street"? Skārņu street, Ludzas street, Līksnas street and so on.
Uldis Lapa. I saw his name and I was very impressed. That name is as latvian as they come :D Most of the character names were nice.
...and then Velna enters the stage. "Velns" means ''devil'' in latvian and "Velna" would be a female version of that word (or a conjugation of ''velns'', meaning - something that belongs to the devil) and no one in this country names their daughter that. Ever :D
Otherwise - solid 5 stars, made me emotional. And our grannies do believe that Black Balsam cures every single thing.
Latvian here. Born and raised in Latvia.
Stumbled upon this book by accident, and read it very quickly. Especially enjoyed this one, because I used to live in the old territory of Riga ghetto (Līksnas street, right next to the old Jewish cemetery, which is now a memorial park, because the cemetery itself was also destroyed and all the marble gravestones used in building new houses - a monstrous thing), so I could easily visualize what happened and where.
Really liked the story, we do appreciate heavy historical topics here, but I do have some small things that stood out to me.
Street names. Yes, ''Skārņu iela'' is a thing, but ''iela'' means ''street'', so why not "Skārņu street"? Skārņu street, Ludzas street, Līksnas street and so on.
Uldis Lapa. I saw his name and I was very impressed. That name is as latvian as they come :D Most of the character names were nice.
...and then Velna enters the stage. "Velns" means ''devil'' in latvian and "Velna" would be a female version of that word (or a conjugation of ''velns'', meaning - something that belongs to the devil) and no one in this country names their daughter that. Ever :D
Otherwise - solid 5 stars, made me emotional. And our grannies do believe that Black Balsam cures every single thing.
October 6, 2021
This book was heartbreaking and eye opening. All throughout I was so worried for the characters, and it was so tense that I couldn't cry until the end where I burst into tears. It was beautifully written and so emotional. Every person needs to read this book, so they know never to repeat history.
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January 10, 2021Grāmata-atklājums. Pirmkārt-šī ir grāmata jauniešiem. Otrkārt-autore ir Londoniete, bet stāsts ir par ebrejiem Latvijā, Rīgas getto un Rumbulas masu slepkavībām. Treškārt-grāmata nav tulkota latviski. Ceturtkārt-tikai dažus gadus pirms grāmatas uzrakstīšanas, autore no mammas nejauši uzzināja, ka viņas vecvecmāmiņa ir dzimusi Latvijā un 1905gadā devusies uz Londonu labākas dzīves meklējumos. Vanessa Curtis ieinteresēta par savu sakņu atklāšanu devusies uz Rīgu un muzejā uzzinājusi par ebreju likteni Latvijā otrā pasaules kara laikā. Skatoties ebreju bildes pirms viņu nonākšanas getto, viņa jutusi, ka viņi vēlas, lai viņa izstāsta viņu stāstu. Tā tapa stāsts “The Earth is Singing”-jauniešu auditorijai. Taču jūs maldīsieties, ja domāsiet, ka stāsts pasargā jauno paaudzi no detaļām. Nebūt nē. Stāsts, ko stāsta galvenā varone piecpadsmitgadīgā Hanna kā vētras sacelti viļņi, paliek arvien bangojošāks, drūmāks, saltāks, līdz aprij tevi un ierauj smacējošā atvarā. No literārā skatu punkta šis darbs ir “Annas Franks dienassgrāmatas” un “Es izdzīvoju Rumbulā” hibrīds jauniešiem saprotamā valodā. Protams, protams, lai arī man kā latvietei ir patīkami apzināties, ka mūsu vēsture (gan ne no labākās puses) tiek aiznestas līdz plašākai auditorijai, jāņem vērā, ka tā ir fikcija un var piesieties daudzām detaļām, kas pamanāmas būs vietējiem. Interesanti būtu uzzināt, vai autore un viņas komanda iedeva manuskriptu izlasīt Latvijā dzīvojošam un zinošam cilvēkam. Piemēram, draudzene, kuru sauc Velna. (Un tā nav drukas kļūda).
Bet tā jau ir piekasīsanās, jo kopumā man likās, ka stāsts ir viegli (emocionāli smagi) nolasāms un galvenais- ļoti saistošā veidā izstāstāms jauniešiem. Ne velti citas autores jauniešu grāmatas ir ieguvušas balvas.
Bet tā jau ir piekasīsanās, jo kopumā man likās, ka stāsts ir viegli (emocionāli smagi) nolasāms un galvenais- ļoti saistošā veidā izstāstāms jauniešiem. Ne velti citas autores jauniešu grāmatas ir ieguvušas balvas.
May 8, 2022
Trigger warnings: war, antisemitism, Holocaust, mass death, gun violence, death of a loved one, death of a child, blood.
Oof.
I picked this up purely because it's set in Latvia and I was interested to read a book that seemed on the surface like quite a different Holocaust story in that the Jewish population of Latvia are caught between the Russians and the Nazis and, indeed, the Latvian population who've fallen for the propaganda of both.
The early stages of this were...something of a struggle for me because Hanna is so utterly oblivious to the reality of what's going on around her and her conviction that her Aryan boyfriend couldn't POSSIBLY be like the other young men who join the police force following the German invasion.
The second half of the book was, frankly, brutal. Every time I thought it couldn't get darker, it did. I knew nothing about the war in Latvia, so everything was new information to me and OOF. Absolutely brutal from start to finish, and I wish it was more widely known in the English speaking world.
Oof.
I picked this up purely because it's set in Latvia and I was interested to read a book that seemed on the surface like quite a different Holocaust story in that the Jewish population of Latvia are caught between the Russians and the Nazis and, indeed, the Latvian population who've fallen for the propaganda of both.
The early stages of this were...something of a struggle for me because Hanna is so utterly oblivious to the reality of what's going on around her and her conviction that her Aryan boyfriend couldn't POSSIBLY be like the other young men who join the police force following the German invasion.
The second half of the book was, frankly, brutal. Every time I thought it couldn't get darker, it did. I knew nothing about the war in Latvia, so everything was new information to me and OOF. Absolutely brutal from start to finish, and I wish it was more widely known in the English speaking world.
October 17, 2015
There have been many books written about the horror of the Holocaust, and The Earth is Singing is particularly heart wrenching. And all the while, I’m thinking, ‘How can this have happened?’ though I know it is all terrifyingly true.
Unlike many holocaust novels, this story isn’t set in the terrible camps like Belsen, or Auschwitz, but in the city of Riga – capital of Latvia. It shows the Germans arriving and taking control, and changing the lives of the Jewish citizens so badly, that thousands perish before even getting on one of the cattle trains to the camps.
Some spoilers below....
Hanna is 15 and dreams of being a ballerina, and dancing in the Opera House in her city of Riga. She loves her dance lessons, has good friends, a handsome boyfriend and she lives with her Mama and Omama (Her mother’s mum). But her beloved Papa has disappeared - taken by the Russians before the Germans invaded. They aren’t told why or where. The citizens of Riga cheered the marching Germans through their city, thinking that their lives would return to how they were before the ruthless Russian rule, but little did they know that even more terrible things awaited them – especially for the city’s Jewish population.
It started with the move from their nice house, the burning of their synagogue, rule changes like not being able to use the footpaths, umbrellas, parks, cinemas, public transport or join any queues to buy food.
Then came the 10cm across, yellow Star of David, first on their jackets, then on their backs. If not worn (even in stifling heat) they would be shot.
The only food now available to her family is covered in mould or near rotten. People are dragged from their homes and shot, with Hanna and her family cowering in their flat.
Hanna's fate becomes worse and worse until the unthinkable happens - something so terrible, it's amazing she survives.
Read this book. It may make you cry, it will leave you sombre, but will definitely remind you of the horrors of the Holocaust.
Unlike many holocaust novels, this story isn’t set in the terrible camps like Belsen, or Auschwitz, but in the city of Riga – capital of Latvia. It shows the Germans arriving and taking control, and changing the lives of the Jewish citizens so badly, that thousands perish before even getting on one of the cattle trains to the camps.
Some spoilers below....
Hanna is 15 and dreams of being a ballerina, and dancing in the Opera House in her city of Riga. She loves her dance lessons, has good friends, a handsome boyfriend and she lives with her Mama and Omama (Her mother’s mum). But her beloved Papa has disappeared - taken by the Russians before the Germans invaded. They aren’t told why or where. The citizens of Riga cheered the marching Germans through their city, thinking that their lives would return to how they were before the ruthless Russian rule, but little did they know that even more terrible things awaited them – especially for the city’s Jewish population.
It started with the move from their nice house, the burning of their synagogue, rule changes like not being able to use the footpaths, umbrellas, parks, cinemas, public transport or join any queues to buy food.
Then came the 10cm across, yellow Star of David, first on their jackets, then on their backs. If not worn (even in stifling heat) they would be shot.
The only food now available to her family is covered in mould or near rotten. People are dragged from their homes and shot, with Hanna and her family cowering in their flat.
Hanna's fate becomes worse and worse until the unthinkable happens - something so terrible, it's amazing she survives.
Read this book. It may make you cry, it will leave you sombre, but will definitely remind you of the horrors of the Holocaust.
January 11, 2021
When I first took this book in the bookshop, the third sentence at the back of the book took me:
“My Name is Hanna Michelson.
I’m fifteen.
I’m Latvian.”
I bought this book instantly because I am Latvian, and book written by not a pure Latvian took me even more. And that is great that she honored this book to her grand grandmother, who was born in Latvia.
I’m so glad I read it, this book gave me a whole other look of the horrible things that happened of the Jews in the Second World War. And I learned so much of the horrible history that was not even mentioned in my history classes in the school.
Although story is tragic, it was still fun for me to keep track of the places in Riga, because that is my city and I know all the mentioned streets and places. The city is beautiful and it is such nice candy for the tourists.
I would recommend to read this to whoever wants to know more about the Holocaust and learn more about Latvia’s history despite that this book is for children.
After reading this, I am open to learn more of other countries as well which have gone through such as horrible things as Latvia.
“My Name is Hanna Michelson.
I’m fifteen.
I’m Latvian.”
I bought this book instantly because I am Latvian, and book written by not a pure Latvian took me even more. And that is great that she honored this book to her grand grandmother, who was born in Latvia.
I’m so glad I read it, this book gave me a whole other look of the horrible things that happened of the Jews in the Second World War. And I learned so much of the horrible history that was not even mentioned in my history classes in the school.
Although story is tragic, it was still fun for me to keep track of the places in Riga, because that is my city and I know all the mentioned streets and places. The city is beautiful and it is such nice candy for the tourists.
I would recommend to read this to whoever wants to know more about the Holocaust and learn more about Latvia’s history despite that this book is for children.
After reading this, I am open to learn more of other countries as well which have gone through such as horrible things as Latvia.
May 19, 2016
Why do I repeatedly pick books that are truly awful? Not the way it's written, not the characters portrayed, but the series of events that once again leave me feeling hollow, and shaking my head. How did humanity do that?
'The Earth is Singing' is the story of Hanna, a Jewish girl, who lives in Latvia during the Second World War. Because I've read quite a few other books about Jews set during this time, I knew things wouldn't be alright, I knew their hopes of a better life under the Nazis wouldn't be realized. But it still shocks me every time: the way they the Jews were expected to live, or rather, die; the cruelty of those who felt they were superior; the way some people found hidden strength and made it through. And probably the most haunting part was when I realized what the title meant.
So yes, it was awful. Terrible. Horrific. And it kept me reading right until the last page.
'The Earth is Singing' is the story of Hanna, a Jewish girl, who lives in Latvia during the Second World War. Because I've read quite a few other books about Jews set during this time, I knew things wouldn't be alright, I knew their hopes of a better life under the Nazis wouldn't be realized. But it still shocks me every time: the way they the Jews were expected to live, or rather, die; the cruelty of those who felt they were superior; the way some people found hidden strength and made it through. And probably the most haunting part was when I realized what the title meant.
So yes, it was awful. Terrible. Horrific. And it kept me reading right until the last page.
May 2, 2019
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: A physical copy was provided via UsBorne YAin exchange for an exchange review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
Trigger Warnings: Violent Visuals, Humiliation, Mass Murders and Violence
To say this book is an enjoyable read would be all kinds of wrong; but The Earth Is Singing is definitely an impactful read.
With the background of Hitler’s growing empire and crucification of Jews; I definitely wasn’t expecting this to be a bed of roses but I was definitely ill prepared for the horrors that one community went through only because one man thought his “race” was better than theirs (and yes I know, the current scenarios is eerily similar to the past!).
Told in the voice of Hanna, a young Latvian girl with a Jew Mother and Latvian Father (yes, this distinction is very important!)– with a bright future ahead; she is a skilled dancer and in love with her best friend Uldin. The only cloud in her otherwise sunny life is that her father was taken away by the Russian Army and so she has no idea if he is even alive right now or not; but she knows in her heart that she will meet him again.
When the Germans start to invade Latvia, they are widely believed to be the saviors of the country. With almost all of them disregarding the scary rumors floating in about the treatment of Jews by the German Army in other parts of the Europe.
“Is this to be my life too?
Will we get through it and somehow get back to normal?
Will I ever find Papa?
Why did I have to be born a Jew?”
It doesn’t take long for the Latvians, especially Hanna, her mother and her grandmother, to realize that their lives, however ordinary they maybe, won’t remain so for long. Slowly, the rules start to change for them, for their friends and it is heartbreaking to see the people they have lived with, dined with; their friends turn their back on them just because they were being persecuted for being Jews.
Throughout reading the book, I had to keep reminding myself that this book is not wholly fiction – sure the characters maybe; but their experiences and their suffering were definitely not; that this is definitely NOT the work of an overactive imagination of a writer. What it does do is reach its goal of waking its readers to actual emotional reactions behind the dry historical facts.
The Earth Is Singing is a book that everyone *NEEDS* to read – written in simplistic yet powerful manner; it is a brilliant cold hard way of waking up to the realization that history is not just dates written in a textbook; but actual reality for humans at one time.
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May 4, 2021
I didn’t expect much of this book as I don’t tend to enjoy YA novels but this book gave me goosebumps at the end. The storyline is horrific but brilliantly written and the characters are so memorable
May 7, 2021
The Earth is Singing tells the story of Hanna and her family, as she grows up in Riga, Latvia, as the Nazi occupation occurs. As Hanna and her family are Jewish, we see how their life slowly changes and how they survive. I found this book truly heartbreaking and just a shocking read. I found each character so unique, and to follow Hanna on this story made me very emotional. To know there are elements of her story that have happened to really people, is saddening.
The main idea that shocked me, was watching the slow change of attitude towards Hanna and her family. The book begins with Hanna describing her hopes and dreams for the future and how happy her life is. To see that slowly change, was so sad. It really hit me how her life would change, when a girl in Hanna’s ballet class, calls her an anti-Semitic name. The slow introduction of the rules the Nazis put in place, also hit me. I wanted to have hope for Hanna and her family, but I couldn’t - I knew how this would end.
One idea that really hit me, was that of betrayal and trust. As the changes in the country began to impact Hanna and her family, there was a real air of mistrust. This was very prominent, when Hanna’s mother was very careful to make sure Hanna told no one they were moving to stay with her Uncle Georg.
The sense of family and friendship, really also hit me. When Hanna and her family were moved to the Ghetto, it seemed that whomever they encountered, in the same circumstances, felt much closer, especially with the introduction of Max, Sasha and their father.
One quote that really struck me, was something Omama said: “Prayer is free... We can have as much of that as we want. The Nazis can’t take that away from us.” It is so beautiful and heartwarming to see them come together in such dark and unforgiving times.
I really enjoyed the history, scattered throughout the book. I’ve obviously read about World War II but I never read about the occupation of Latvia. It was very interesting (and harrowing) to learn that the people of Latvia were under Communist rule before being occupied by the Nazis, and many Latvians, at first, viewed them as saviours, from the tight rules of the Communists! It was very interesting to learn about a side of this period of history I’d never learned about.
Overall, this book was really heartbreaking and beautifully written. It was harrowing and shocking to read such a terrifying and emotional story. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone, but do be careful as some of the scenes can get quite distressing. Nevertheless, I think it is a very important read about a dark time in history.
The main idea that shocked me, was watching the slow change of attitude towards Hanna and her family. The book begins with Hanna describing her hopes and dreams for the future and how happy her life is. To see that slowly change, was so sad. It really hit me how her life would change, when a girl in Hanna’s ballet class, calls her an anti-Semitic name. The slow introduction of the rules the Nazis put in place, also hit me. I wanted to have hope for Hanna and her family, but I couldn’t - I knew how this would end.
One idea that really hit me, was that of betrayal and trust. As the changes in the country began to impact Hanna and her family, there was a real air of mistrust. This was very prominent, when Hanna’s mother was very careful to make sure Hanna told no one they were moving to stay with her Uncle Georg.
The sense of family and friendship, really also hit me. When Hanna and her family were moved to the Ghetto, it seemed that whomever they encountered, in the same circumstances, felt much closer, especially with the introduction of Max, Sasha and their father.
One quote that really struck me, was something Omama said: “Prayer is free... We can have as much of that as we want. The Nazis can’t take that away from us.” It is so beautiful and heartwarming to see them come together in such dark and unforgiving times.
I really enjoyed the history, scattered throughout the book. I’ve obviously read about World War II but I never read about the occupation of Latvia. It was very interesting (and harrowing) to learn that the people of Latvia were under Communist rule before being occupied by the Nazis, and many Latvians, at first, viewed them as saviours, from the tight rules of the Communists! It was very interesting to learn about a side of this period of history I’d never learned about.
Overall, this book was really heartbreaking and beautifully written. It was harrowing and shocking to read such a terrifying and emotional story. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone, but do be careful as some of the scenes can get quite distressing. Nevertheless, I think it is a very important read about a dark time in history.
March 14, 2020
I promised, I loved, l was betrayed, I survived
What a powerful story, I can only imagine, what it was like.
When her boyfriend betrayed them, I wanted to scream
When she meet Janis, Max and Sascha, I wanted to cry when you found out their story
When Mama and Sascha and all the other woman and children walked into a pit, to there deaths
I was crying 😭
When she meet with Max again, I was over joyed
When they were taking Hanna to a camp and she made it out the window of the train.
There he was Uldis, even though he had betrayed her family and betrayed Hanna, he never pulled the trigger.
The story was told
What a powerful story, I can only imagine, what it was like.
When her boyfriend betrayed them, I wanted to scream
When she meet Janis, Max and Sascha, I wanted to cry when you found out their story
When Mama and Sascha and all the other woman and children walked into a pit, to there deaths
I was crying 😭
When she meet with Max again, I was over joyed
When they were taking Hanna to a camp and she made it out the window of the train.
There he was Uldis, even though he had betrayed her family and betrayed Hanna, he never pulled the trigger.
The story was told
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2018
Even though this is a story it still hits home that something like this had happened. It was well written there was points for me I was in tears. Which for me is a big thing as no book really has ever made me cry. I have read a lot of books on holocaust and everyone has haunted me a way. This even tho is a story will stick with me.
November 6, 2017
Such a powerful, heart breaking and inspiring book. I’ve heard stories from my own family and fellow survivors. I’ve read books, but something about this particular book really hit home for me.
I am not afraid of who I am, where I have come from and I will never forget
I am not afraid of who I am, where I have come from and I will never forget
August 18, 2020
4.5
Oh dear, my heart.
Oh dear, my heart.
August 1, 2022
The story itself was not bad, but the writing was somewhat amateurish. It seemed a bit awkward to include original Latvian street names, like ‘Skārņu iela’ or ‘Kaļķu iela’.
February 3, 2019
I wanted to like this book, I really do. I read this as I finished The Silver Music Box which was magnificent and I had really enjoyed it so much. I thought, surely this book will be around as good as The Silver Music Box, right? Well, unfortunately it did not come close one bit. I understand that this book uses a first person narration, and our dear narrator is a 15 year old girl at the start of the book. So, it came as not a surprise to me that her views are that of a much younger girl, who sees thing as either black or white and that everything is as simple as good and evil. I didn't have any problems with that, until I pass 50-ish pages.
The narrator is now just plain annoying, constantly talking without a pause, complaining and just frankly speaking stupid and rude. How dare she question her uncle but trust her boyfriend completely? Like, I get you're not that close with your uncle and in the time of horror that was Nazi occupation, surely just because it's family, you can't just blindly believe them, and yet you believe your boyfriend? How idiotic can one person be?
Thankfully, the story did get better as I force myself to keep on reading. Honestly, at that point I really have to know how it would end, that is why I kept on reading though I hate the narrator more and more, because I find her completely annoying to the core.
I have to say that though the author narrates the story through the eyes of an annoying teenage girl, she manages to write some very dark moments in the book very nicely. Not dwelling too much on the grotesque side of history but as a reader, you can still feel how awful and horrible and incredibly dark it was. That, I can at least appreciate. But, then the ending?
Oh horror of the ending. It was absolutely ridiculous, it made no sense, and to me, it was completely unnecessary. No, I was not talking about what the narrator saw in the train but what she saw after she jumped off the train. Okay, excuse a little bit of my spoiler, but I just need to make sure which part of the ending that I find completely ridiculous and infuriating that I had to take one more stars off the rating of this book.
One good thing about this book was the character of the narrator's grandmother, Omama. She was such a breath of fresh air in what came to be such a dark and gloomy period of their lives. I just wish, instead of this 15 year old girl, the author would have chose Omama to be the narrator.
The narrator is now just plain annoying, constantly talking without a pause, complaining and just frankly speaking stupid and rude. How dare she question her uncle but trust her boyfriend completely? Like, I get you're not that close with your uncle and in the time of horror that was Nazi occupation, surely just because it's family, you can't just blindly believe them, and yet you believe your boyfriend? How idiotic can one person be?
Thankfully, the story did get better as I force myself to keep on reading. Honestly, at that point I really have to know how it would end, that is why I kept on reading though I hate the narrator more and more, because I find her completely annoying to the core.
I have to say that though the author narrates the story through the eyes of an annoying teenage girl, she manages to write some very dark moments in the book very nicely. Not dwelling too much on the grotesque side of history but as a reader, you can still feel how awful and horrible and incredibly dark it was. That, I can at least appreciate. But, then the ending?
Oh horror of the ending. It was absolutely ridiculous, it made no sense, and to me, it was completely unnecessary. No, I was not talking about what the narrator saw in the train but what she saw after she jumped off the train. Okay, excuse a little bit of my spoiler, but I just need to make sure which part of the ending that I find completely ridiculous and infuriating that I had to take one more stars off the rating of this book.
One good thing about this book was the character of the narrator's grandmother, Omama. She was such a breath of fresh air in what came to be such a dark and gloomy period of their lives. I just wish, instead of this 15 year old girl, the author would have chose Omama to be the narrator.
July 27, 2016
WOW! This book gets 5 stars from me for a number of reasons:
1) This is one of those YA books that you forget is written for a YA audience.
2) The writing is superb. It is visceral and beautiful all in one breath.
3) Everyone knows what happened during World War II. Nazi occupied Latvia is at the centre of the story.
4) We feel the characters' anguish as we take their journey with them. Hanna and her family are moved from camp to camp, and at one point are looking their fate directly in the eyes.
5) The story's main theme is one of togetherness. In desperate times, the characters stick together. Their strength is admirable.
6) I had tears in my eyes at one point in the book, just before the very end. No book has ever made me do this.
7) The 3 main characters are strong, independent women who despite having their basic human rights stripped away, still remain hopeful and determined to survive.
8) Every single character is important to the story.
9) The story is based on true events and real people. It is an astonishing story of survival and hope.
10) Each character is unique, every character has their own story and as readers we share the experience with them, right up to the very end, when the earth is genuinely singing.
'We have all heard the rumours. It has been said from late last year that the Polish Jews have been forced to leave their homes and herded into some sort of ghetto area in Warsaw. But nobody is sure and it seems so hard to believe that this could happen to ordinary people...'
'After all, this is not Poland. We are different in almost every way. Our language, our food, our history are all different. It is only our religion that we have in common with the Jews of Poland'.
'Up here with all the women it becomes unimportant who knows who or lived where or wore what in our previous lives. Up here we all band together to survive'.
'"Merciful God", says my mother, clutching at her throat. "They have not brought us to work. They have brought us to prison". As if on cue, a couple of guards appear. "Well", says one of them with a slow smile. "Aren't you just the daughters of fortune?".
A powerfully emotional story of the Latvian Jews of Riga, perhaps one of the less well known stories of the Holocaust. An absolutely well deserved 5 stars.
1) This is one of those YA books that you forget is written for a YA audience.
2) The writing is superb. It is visceral and beautiful all in one breath.
3) Everyone knows what happened during World War II. Nazi occupied Latvia is at the centre of the story.
4) We feel the characters' anguish as we take their journey with them. Hanna and her family are moved from camp to camp, and at one point are looking their fate directly in the eyes.
5) The story's main theme is one of togetherness. In desperate times, the characters stick together. Their strength is admirable.
6) I had tears in my eyes at one point in the book, just before the very end. No book has ever made me do this.
7) The 3 main characters are strong, independent women who despite having their basic human rights stripped away, still remain hopeful and determined to survive.
8) Every single character is important to the story.
9) The story is based on true events and real people. It is an astonishing story of survival and hope.
10) Each character is unique, every character has their own story and as readers we share the experience with them, right up to the very end, when the earth is genuinely singing.
'We have all heard the rumours. It has been said from late last year that the Polish Jews have been forced to leave their homes and herded into some sort of ghetto area in Warsaw. But nobody is sure and it seems so hard to believe that this could happen to ordinary people...'
'After all, this is not Poland. We are different in almost every way. Our language, our food, our history are all different. It is only our religion that we have in common with the Jews of Poland'.
'Up here with all the women it becomes unimportant who knows who or lived where or wore what in our previous lives. Up here we all band together to survive'.
'"Merciful God", says my mother, clutching at her throat. "They have not brought us to work. They have brought us to prison". As if on cue, a couple of guards appear. "Well", says one of them with a slow smile. "Aren't you just the daughters of fortune?".
A powerfully emotional story of the Latvian Jews of Riga, perhaps one of the less well known stories of the Holocaust. An absolutely well deserved 5 stars.
March 12, 2023
This book showcases history, how the government changes effect different communities, people, their attitudes and how lives change for the Jews in a very short time period. This book is full of pain, emotional distress, grief, death and many other things that come with war. Usually no happy endings. We meet people, learn to like them, but as usual, under the circumstances, war does what it does.
June 20, 2015
When Hanna’s story starts, she has a promising future as a ballerina, training at the city’s ballet school. She has a boyfriend who she thinks is perfect. She is just a normal teenage girl in a beautiful city. Yes, the Russians are there, but they cope. Knowing the history, it’s a heart breaking moment when the people of Riga welcome the Germans because they have got rid of the Russians.
Soon, Hanna’s friends turn away from her, calling her a dirty Jew. She can no longer take pleasure in her dancing, or a walk in the park. When her beloved Uldis joins the police and dons a uniform, how can that be good news for her?
The book goes into more detail on the Jewish faith and customs that any others I’ve read dealing with the same subject matter. Hanna’s Oma is very strict about her worship, so when that slides, you realise this is the point they know life is about surviving, not living. There’s a very touching scene when they’re in hiding in a loft, and they get the chance to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
It’s interesting that Vanessa chose to tell the story from the point of view of a half Jewish girl, who did not look Jewish and possibly could have passed had she separated from her family. There is one scene where she announces that she no longer wishes to be Jewish but her mother explains that half her blood is enough for the Nazis to hate her. Her appearance gives the reader a false sense of hope.
If you’re not aware of the massacre that happening in Latvia during the war, beware this book contains some traumatising events. One in particular you just couldn’t make up, but which very sadly happened. If teenagers are no longer being taught about the holocaust in school, then they could do worse than read this book. Hanna’s story isn’t an exaggerated one. The beautiful title has a truly awful source.
Soon, Hanna’s friends turn away from her, calling her a dirty Jew. She can no longer take pleasure in her dancing, or a walk in the park. When her beloved Uldis joins the police and dons a uniform, how can that be good news for her?
The book goes into more detail on the Jewish faith and customs that any others I’ve read dealing with the same subject matter. Hanna’s Oma is very strict about her worship, so when that slides, you realise this is the point they know life is about surviving, not living. There’s a very touching scene when they’re in hiding in a loft, and they get the chance to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
It’s interesting that Vanessa chose to tell the story from the point of view of a half Jewish girl, who did not look Jewish and possibly could have passed had she separated from her family. There is one scene where she announces that she no longer wishes to be Jewish but her mother explains that half her blood is enough for the Nazis to hate her. Her appearance gives the reader a false sense of hope.
If you’re not aware of the massacre that happening in Latvia during the war, beware this book contains some traumatising events. One in particular you just couldn’t make up, but which very sadly happened. If teenagers are no longer being taught about the holocaust in school, then they could do worse than read this book. Hanna’s story isn’t an exaggerated one. The beautiful title has a truly awful source.
January 14, 2022
I started reading this one late in the evening and I was not able to put it down, finishing it the next morning. The actual events that happened in Latvia and Riga during Nazi occupation during World War 2 are unimaginable and horrific. Even the thought of Rumbula and the massacre of women and children makes me sick. I have lived in Riga for several years and the places mentioned in the book are very familiar to me, making this book even more impactful as I could imagine the streets and buildings mentioned in this book. I think I will never again think of some of the streets the same way. At some point I lived in the area that was part of the original and bigger ghetto area and living there and visiting Latvia Holocaust Museum made me interested to learn about the history. This book though has been waiting for reading for couple years and I originally borrowed it from my friend.
I recommend reading this book. It was impactful, emotional and very much necessary and was written very well. Having a young main character worked very well in this book; somewhat hopeful attitude in the beginning that changed slowly to a realization that everything has changed, even how the people who in the past loved you suddenly treat you with hatred and disgust.
The story follows a 15 year old Hannah, aspiring ballet dancer and her family during Nazi occupation in Riga. She lives with her mother and grandmother, her father, Latvian, was taken away by Russians. The story starts with the arrival of Germans and how people in the beginning had hope this would bring a better life to Latvia. Little by little the changes, restrictions, burning of synagogues and killings start and Hannah and her family end up in living in the Riga ghetto.
I recommend reading this book. It was impactful, emotional and very much necessary and was written very well. Having a young main character worked very well in this book; somewhat hopeful attitude in the beginning that changed slowly to a realization that everything has changed, even how the people who in the past loved you suddenly treat you with hatred and disgust.
The story follows a 15 year old Hannah, aspiring ballet dancer and her family during Nazi occupation in Riga. She lives with her mother and grandmother, her father, Latvian, was taken away by Russians. The story starts with the arrival of Germans and how people in the beginning had hope this would bring a better life to Latvia. Little by little the changes, restrictions, burning of synagogues and killings start and Hannah and her family end up in living in the Riga ghetto.
November 25, 2015
Oh man. This book was cruel but necessary. Sigh. I'm only this reactive (but humans are only this reactive) when faced with events of the lowest. The lowest of the low.
(spoiler)
I still wish I knew whether Max and Hanna were together in the end. And whether Papa's alive. The ending is quite unexpected - after you've been hearing about the barbarity of the SS and Latvian soldiers the entire book, and feeling sick at their treatment of the Jews, it turns everything on its shoulders. Hanna blamed herself the entire time for having told Uldis where she stayed, hence sending them off the ghetto and resulting in the deaths of everyone around her - but in the end, Uldis is also the one who saves her life, or what's left of it, by not shooting. It shows that not everything is black and white. Uldis isn't purely evil - the soldiers aren't purely evil - they have just been twisted and warped by the correctness of their ideologies. Uldis is not black and white - in a rigid moment, he gave Hanna away to the SS and refused to look at her - but in another moment, seeing her alone and remembering the times they spent together, he spares her life.
This book is good, for its layered complexity and (harsh, but necessary) chronicling of events. Five stars. ☆☆☆☆☆Rest in peace, those with the Stars of David.
(spoiler)
I still wish I knew whether Max and Hanna were together in the end. And whether Papa's alive. The ending is quite unexpected - after you've been hearing about the barbarity of the SS and Latvian soldiers the entire book, and feeling sick at their treatment of the Jews, it turns everything on its shoulders. Hanna blamed herself the entire time for having told Uldis where she stayed, hence sending them off the ghetto and resulting in the deaths of everyone around her - but in the end, Uldis is also the one who saves her life, or what's left of it, by not shooting. It shows that not everything is black and white. Uldis isn't purely evil - the soldiers aren't purely evil - they have just been twisted and warped by the correctness of their ideologies. Uldis is not black and white - in a rigid moment, he gave Hanna away to the SS and refused to look at her - but in another moment, seeing her alone and remembering the times they spent together, he spares her life.
This book is good, for its layered complexity and (harsh, but necessary) chronicling of events. Five stars. ☆☆☆☆☆Rest in peace, those with the Stars of David.
January 14, 2020
The Earth is Singing is probably one of the hardest topics anyone can talk about or an author can write about. This story’s follows a girl named Hannah Michelson, 15 year old Latvian during 1940. She is training her whole life to be a ballet dancer with a boyfriend named Uldis. The Russian have taken her father and she is confused why but he made Hannah promise always take care of her mother and her grandmother. Everything changed, she was confused on why and what did they do to deserve everything that came their way. This novel follows Hannah during the beginning for WW2 until they end. Also this story has some plot twists and many of them, you would never see it coming. Makes you think who would do you wrong. I suggest everyone to read this book because it shows what she had to go through, how her love life was, and her relationship with her family. This book definitely deserves more then 5 stars it’s such an amazing book and also could make you extremely emotional if you are sensitive heads up .
January 22, 2015
This is a good book for teens, especially if they don't know too much about the WW11.
The book is Hanna's story, aged fifteen.
Hanna is half- Jewish and struggles with this as things become more and more difficult for Jewish people. There is a part of her that does not want to acknowledge this and part of the reason is because she has recently found a young man, which readers will relate well to. She does not want to be different and wants to enjoy the things that she had previously enjoyed but now, no loner can.
However, I only gave it 3 stars as its not amazing, and I have read better books on the same theme. Saying that though, I think it would make a good book group book for younger teens, in Key stage 3.
The book is Hanna's story, aged fifteen.
Hanna is half- Jewish and struggles with this as things become more and more difficult for Jewish people. There is a part of her that does not want to acknowledge this and part of the reason is because she has recently found a young man, which readers will relate well to. She does not want to be different and wants to enjoy the things that she had previously enjoyed but now, no loner can.
However, I only gave it 3 stars as its not amazing, and I have read better books on the same theme. Saying that though, I think it would make a good book group book for younger teens, in Key stage 3.
January 31, 2023
Written for younger readers but honestly, adults need to read this first to determine if its horrors are too graphic. I loved the three generations of women, young Hanna, her mother & grandmother and how they tried so desperately to stay together in the face of contemptible cruelty beyond description here. The author does not sugar coat the Latvian police force and their work with the Nazis, in fact their actions seem even more heartless because these were their own people. Hanna’s boyfriend, Uldis, proves to be a conniving and wicked fellow although his one last redeeming act may show he still had a heart. The history of the Holocaust must never be forgotten. Thank you Vanessa Curtis for this novel.
January 16, 2016
"It is the Sabbath so we sit around our box-table and offer up prayers to God but it is difficult to focus on a God you cannot see when the sounds and smells of danger and fear are all around"
"The Latvian soldiers have filled in the grave with earth but they must have failed to aim their shots as accurately as it seemed. The earth is singing. Moans and cries filter their way up into the cold air. The earth is moving."
"What sort of world is this?" he says. "Where little children are shot like rabbits."
"The Latvian soldiers have filled in the grave with earth but they must have failed to aim their shots as accurately as it seemed. The earth is singing. Moans and cries filter their way up into the cold air. The earth is moving."
"What sort of world is this?" he says. "Where little children are shot like rabbits."
February 19, 2019
When I picked this up, I wasn’t sure what to expect from it but just had a feeling that I had to read it. This is one of most engaging Young Adult books that I’ve read, one because of the storytelling within it, and two because of the subject matter. I’ve got to say that l, despite knowing a fair bit on the Holocaust, I never knew the impact in Latvia. This is a truly moving and important story that everyone should read.
April 8, 2019
This book was utterly depressing and heart wrenching. As any story of the holocaust is. It feels a little cliche but overall was a good story. It is very violent and gory, so much so that it almost makes one as numb to it as the characters themselves are. There was nothing to make it stand out from any other holocaust stories though. I might have got a bit bored, especially at the beginning and given up on it if it hadn't been an audiobook, but it was so I read it all.
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