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The Girl with the Silver Star
For the readers of The Nightingale and Lilac Girls, inspired by the true story of the author’s great-grandmother’s journey during World War II, The Girl with the Silver Star is the extraordinary story of a mother’s love and will to survive during one of history’s darkest time periods.
As a hailstorm of bombs begins to shatter the city of Minsk in Belarus, Raisa and her family run through the darkness of night to take cover. When Raisa, Abraham, and their daughters, Luba and Sofia, emerge from the bomb shelter, they find an unfamiliar city before them; chaos and terror burn in every direction. Fearing for their lives, they must leave at once to find the rest of their family. But before they are able to escape, Abraham is conscripted into the Russian Army and the family is forced to part ways. Raisa’s love and strength are put to the ultimate test as she finds herself on her own with her two young daughters in tow. How will she manage alone without her soulmate by her side?
Relying on hope, resourcefulness and courage, they walk, hitch hike and take trains heading for Uzbekistan, over 2,500 miles from home. Along the way they run from bombs, endure starvation, and face death.
Raisa finds solace in the women around her. Her mother, sisters, old friends and new help carry her through the difficult war years, but Raisa’s longing to reunite with Abraham still rages inside her heart. Will they ever see each other again? Will Raisa and her family find their way back to their homeland?
The Girl with the Silver Star is a captivating journey through war-torn Soviet Union as it illuminates a unique part of WWII history, the female heroes. Raisa’s journey is a tribute to the nameless women, their determination, bravery, grief and unwavering love during impossible times. Their stories shouldn’t be forgotten.
As a hailstorm of bombs begins to shatter the city of Minsk in Belarus, Raisa and her family run through the darkness of night to take cover. When Raisa, Abraham, and their daughters, Luba and Sofia, emerge from the bomb shelter, they find an unfamiliar city before them; chaos and terror burn in every direction. Fearing for their lives, they must leave at once to find the rest of their family. But before they are able to escape, Abraham is conscripted into the Russian Army and the family is forced to part ways. Raisa’s love and strength are put to the ultimate test as she finds herself on her own with her two young daughters in tow. How will she manage alone without her soulmate by her side?
Relying on hope, resourcefulness and courage, they walk, hitch hike and take trains heading for Uzbekistan, over 2,500 miles from home. Along the way they run from bombs, endure starvation, and face death.
Raisa finds solace in the women around her. Her mother, sisters, old friends and new help carry her through the difficult war years, but Raisa’s longing to reunite with Abraham still rages inside her heart. Will they ever see each other again? Will Raisa and her family find their way back to their homeland?
The Girl with the Silver Star is a captivating journey through war-torn Soviet Union as it illuminates a unique part of WWII history, the female heroes. Raisa’s journey is a tribute to the nameless women, their determination, bravery, grief and unwavering love during impossible times. Their stories shouldn’t be forgotten.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2020
430 people are currently reading
1496 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Zolotov
1 book64 followersRachel Zolotov's writing journey began after a conversation with her mother about her family history. It didn't take long for her to realize that she had a story that was worth sharing, and after years of research and writing,
The Girl with the Silver Star
was born.
Rachel has a background in Jewelry and User Experience Design and enjoys being creative. In her free time, you can find her snuggling up with a good book and a cup of tea. Rachel lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and two daughters. If you would like to learn more, please visit RachelZolotov.com You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram
Rachel has a background in Jewelry and User Experience Design and enjoys being creative. In her free time, you can find her snuggling up with a good book and a cup of tea. Rachel lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and two daughters. If you would like to learn more, please visit RachelZolotov.com You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 1, 2020
The Girl with the Silver Star is an excellent WWII era novel. But knowing that it is based on the story of author Rachel Zolotov’s family makes it even more meaningful. The book has an intimacy that movingly brings the reader into the world of Raisa, the author’s great grandmother, and her family.
Living in Belarus with her adoring husband Abraham with their two lovely daughters, this close knit family is torn apart when the Nazi’s invade Minsk. Abraham is required to serve in the Russian army and Raisa, along with her daughters and the rest of her family, flee to find safety. Their journey is harrowing. Once they are settled in Uzbekistan, Raisa is able to keep in touch with Abraham through letter writing, which keeps her going. Her strength and courage helps keep her family safe and as normal and happy as possible as they deal with the struggles of having had to leave everything behind. Raisa’s recollections of her pre-war days shows the lovely life she had before their world fell apart. It’s a tragic story far too many Russian Jews experienced.
This emotional and heartbreaking book shows the strength of love and the human spirit.
Many thanks to author Rachel Zolotov for providing me with a copy of this sad yet hopeful book in advance of its November 17, 2020 release.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Living in Belarus with her adoring husband Abraham with their two lovely daughters, this close knit family is torn apart when the Nazi’s invade Minsk. Abraham is required to serve in the Russian army and Raisa, along with her daughters and the rest of her family, flee to find safety. Their journey is harrowing. Once they are settled in Uzbekistan, Raisa is able to keep in touch with Abraham through letter writing, which keeps her going. Her strength and courage helps keep her family safe and as normal and happy as possible as they deal with the struggles of having had to leave everything behind. Raisa’s recollections of her pre-war days shows the lovely life she had before their world fell apart. It’s a tragic story far too many Russian Jews experienced.
This emotional and heartbreaking book shows the strength of love and the human spirit.
Many thanks to author Rachel Zolotov for providing me with a copy of this sad yet hopeful book in advance of its November 17, 2020 release.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
October 29, 2020
You read LOTS of books about World War II when you grow up in Germany so it's safe to say that I already know some non-fiction and fiction WWII themed books.
Nevertheless, I was still impressed by this book as it casted a different light on the WWII events, especially showing the effects and life in a lesser known WWII territory. The life as a Jew is pictured from a perspective of a mom with two girls who escapes into safer places where her family can live in peace and normalcy. You see, it is so important to understand that every person feel the same anxiety, sadness, anger and most importantly love. I think the book did a great job in showing this human aspect; the war is part of life but there is also lots more in life which is worth living.
In general, it was a beautiful book packed with relatable characters, a lot of info about the historical times and the suffering around the war. Even though I loved the narrative by the main character, I felt that some dialogues were textbook-like in the beginning. Not necessarily bad but sometimes too formal. The whole narrative style felt more like a report or a very long interview where the main character re-tells her life story.
Besides the storytelling, I also loved the whole design, layour, chapter setup and the book cover. The title is also very beautiful and well chosen for the book!
If you like emotional historical fictions, you will definitely enjoy this one.
**I received a free copy of this book via Making Connections for leaving an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**
Nevertheless, I was still impressed by this book as it casted a different light on the WWII events, especially showing the effects and life in a lesser known WWII territory. The life as a Jew is pictured from a perspective of a mom with two girls who escapes into safer places where her family can live in peace and normalcy. You see, it is so important to understand that every person feel the same anxiety, sadness, anger and most importantly love. I think the book did a great job in showing this human aspect; the war is part of life but there is also lots more in life which is worth living.
In general, it was a beautiful book packed with relatable characters, a lot of info about the historical times and the suffering around the war. Even though I loved the narrative by the main character, I felt that some dialogues were textbook-like in the beginning. Not necessarily bad but sometimes too formal. The whole narrative style felt more like a report or a very long interview where the main character re-tells her life story.
Besides the storytelling, I also loved the whole design, layour, chapter setup and the book cover. The title is also very beautiful and well chosen for the book!
If you like emotional historical fictions, you will definitely enjoy this one.
**I received a free copy of this book via Making Connections for leaving an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**
September 29, 2020
“The Girl with the Silver Star” is a poignant true story of a Jewish family struggling to survive the war. Separated at the very beginning of the Soviet-German conflict, Raisa and Abraham remain fiercely loyal to each other and do anything possible and impossible to keep their spirits up. While Abraham is fighting on the front, Raisa sets on a perilous journey through the Soviet Union, ending up in the southern republic of Uzbekistan. As I was reading Raisa’s story, I couldn’t help but admire her resilience and strength. Through Raisa’s eyes, we get a glimpse into the hardships Jewish refugees had to endure behind the frontline. So many books are written about concentration camps and Jewish ghettos, but there are very few accounts that show the Soviet side of Jewish refugees’ tragic history, and meanwhile, such stories shed light on the events that definitely need to be studied and discussed. Eye-opening, meticulously researched, and so very inspiring, “The Girl with the Silver Star” is a true must-read. Highly recommended!
November 17, 2022
An educational historical fiction that taught me much about the plight of Russian Jews during WWII.
The story commences in Minsk, Belarus where there is bombing and the destruction of the narrator's (Raisa, the mother's) home. The family needs to vacate the city. The trains out are jam packed full of many other refugees. At the train station, Abraham (the father) is given orders to report for the war. Now the family is homeless and separated too.
The rest of the story describes the walk and train ride to Kilinchi and at least two other cities that the family exits to.
I enjoyed the story and the different aspects of it. Rachel wrote this story based on her great-grandmother's life experiences. You can tell the love that Rachel put into this book because it was her own relative she was describing.
Another feature I truly enjoyed: Chapter Titles!!! So many books forego them these days. It was so nice to know what I would be reading in a specific chapter. Didn't feel spoiled at all.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy of the book to review. I look forward to reading more of her works.
4.25 stars
I just realized that this book could be added to Reading the World Book Journey as a book taking place in Belarus. It is No 99 added!!
The story commences in Minsk, Belarus where there is bombing and the destruction of the narrator's (Raisa, the mother's) home. The family needs to vacate the city. The trains out are jam packed full of many other refugees. At the train station, Abraham (the father) is given orders to report for the war. Now the family is homeless and separated too.
The rest of the story describes the walk and train ride to Kilinchi and at least two other cities that the family exits to.
I enjoyed the story and the different aspects of it. Rachel wrote this story based on her great-grandmother's life experiences. You can tell the love that Rachel put into this book because it was her own relative she was describing.
Another feature I truly enjoyed: Chapter Titles!!! So many books forego them these days. It was so nice to know what I would be reading in a specific chapter. Didn't feel spoiled at all.
I thank the author for giving me a free copy of the book to review. I look forward to reading more of her works.
4.25 stars
I just realized that this book could be added to Reading the World Book Journey as a book taking place in Belarus. It is No 99 added!!
April 26, 2021
An extraordinary story of courage and survival based on the author's great-grandparents' life in Russia during WWII. I loved the writing style - poignant and with great attention to detail, both visually and emotionally. From the moment Raisa and Abraham are forced to flee their home in Minsk, Belarus, with their two children, their lives changed forever. Their harrowing journey was as eventful as it was heartbreaking. I learnt much from this novel. For one, I had no idea how far Russian women and children were forced to flee to escape the war. In this case Uzbekistan. I found myself crying with their sadness and smiling at their celebrations, which I have to say, were few and far between. Ultimately this is a novel of courage and of the indomitable spirit of human beings despite everything collapsing around them. Abraham's letters to Raisa is the thread that binds the story together and with each letter that arrived, I found myself anxiously waiting for his news, just as Raisa would have done. An emotional read that touched me deeply. I look forward to more from this author.
October 30, 2020
I received this book as an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Time: World War II
Main Characters: Abraham, Raisa (Wife), Luba and Sofia (Daughters)
Must read and recommend to all Historical fiction, memoir, love story readers.
A story of an ordinary couple Raisa and Abraham, who were to be separated from each other during WWII for the safety and well-being of their family. The best part of this book is the letters that Raisa and Abraham wrote to each other, how long they waited to know about each other's health and well-being. This is a true love story where both of them together took stood up against the test of time and made each other know that they were warriors, one at the military end and one looking for the safety of their family.
The book is a beautiful combination of their love story + struggles that Raisa, her daughters, and her family faced while keeping themselves safe from the frequent bombings, how they managed to make many unknown places their home, and managed to stay alive in these hard times for each other.
Through this book, one can imagine the struggle faced by the WWII survivors as this war is known as the deadliest one where the death of civilians was more than that of military personnel.
The Author Rachel Zolotov has made a successful attempt in keeping the love story of her great grandparents and the struggle of many other warriors and survivors like Raisa & Abraham alive through this book.
Time: World War II
Main Characters: Abraham, Raisa (Wife), Luba and Sofia (Daughters)
Must read and recommend to all Historical fiction, memoir, love story readers.
A story of an ordinary couple Raisa and Abraham, who were to be separated from each other during WWII for the safety and well-being of their family. The best part of this book is the letters that Raisa and Abraham wrote to each other, how long they waited to know about each other's health and well-being. This is a true love story where both of them together took stood up against the test of time and made each other know that they were warriors, one at the military end and one looking for the safety of their family.
The book is a beautiful combination of their love story + struggles that Raisa, her daughters, and her family faced while keeping themselves safe from the frequent bombings, how they managed to make many unknown places their home, and managed to stay alive in these hard times for each other.
Through this book, one can imagine the struggle faced by the WWII survivors as this war is known as the deadliest one where the death of civilians was more than that of military personnel.
The Author Rachel Zolotov has made a successful attempt in keeping the love story of her great grandparents and the struggle of many other warriors and survivors like Raisa & Abraham alive through this book.
September 19, 2020
Oh my goodness, what a STUNNING novel 😍
I felt emotional the entire way through reading this and found it so hard to put down.
This gorgeous book recounts the story of Raisa who is forced to flee toward safety with her two daughters, sisters and parents in tow after her husband and soulmate Abraham has been ordered to fight on the front lines.
This stunning story tells of the struggles, heartache and loss that they experienced throughout the years of World War II. It broke my heart, it made me feel tense and anxious, it had me close my eyes and shake my head in shock and sadness over what I had just read. It bought tears to my eyes several times and it also made me cry!
But the book is full of beauty too. The love between Raisa and Abraham is beautiful, the bonds between family, the friendships, the strength, the bravery.. All of it, simply beautiful.
This is a stunning book, and it is a must read. 5 beautiful, emotional, well deserved stars for this one! 😍
I felt emotional the entire way through reading this and found it so hard to put down.
This gorgeous book recounts the story of Raisa who is forced to flee toward safety with her two daughters, sisters and parents in tow after her husband and soulmate Abraham has been ordered to fight on the front lines.
This stunning story tells of the struggles, heartache and loss that they experienced throughout the years of World War II. It broke my heart, it made me feel tense and anxious, it had me close my eyes and shake my head in shock and sadness over what I had just read. It bought tears to my eyes several times and it also made me cry!
But the book is full of beauty too. The love between Raisa and Abraham is beautiful, the bonds between family, the friendships, the strength, the bravery.. All of it, simply beautiful.
This is a stunning book, and it is a must read. 5 beautiful, emotional, well deserved stars for this one! 😍
September 25, 2020
For the first time I was reading a historical fiction and I didn't know what to expect from it. But as I started reading the book the story started flowing differently hooking me to it. The writing style was really good. I could imagine everything through the writing style- the love, the pain, the fear, the happiness, little moments of joy and relief in between the struggles of life and hope for things to get back to normal. I really appreciate the authors efforts being put here to reach this story of struggle of her ancestors to other people.
September 4, 2020
“The Girl with the Silver Star” is a heartfelt, tense, and moving story of one family’s journey through Russia during WWII. It recounts the author’s great-grandmother‘s struggle to keep her children and parents safe while her husband is fighting on the front lines.
The author’s admiration for her great-grandmother comes through on every page, as well as the power of family ties and the strength that carries through generations.
While I’ve certainly never gone through anything like them, I could completely relate to Raisa and the hardships she endured. I felt her struggles and heartbreaks. Her strength and that of the women around her poured through the pages. I loved this book! And I highly recommend it.
The author’s admiration for her great-grandmother comes through on every page, as well as the power of family ties and the strength that carries through generations.
While I’ve certainly never gone through anything like them, I could completely relate to Raisa and the hardships she endured. I felt her struggles and heartbreaks. Her strength and that of the women around her poured through the pages. I loved this book! And I highly recommend it.
September 16, 2020
The Girl with the Silver Star follows the story of an innocent family who are thrust into terror during WWII.
Its a fight for survival when mother Raisa and father Abraham are forced to fight for the safety and lives of their two young children, when the family are forced to flee from their home from the bombs, chaos and destruction.
When her husband Abraham is sent to fight on the front lines, Raisa is left to protect the children all by herself.
Their personal story covers just some of the horrors the Jews endured and the struggles that they faced during the war.
The details in the story drew me right in alongside them as they fought for survival.
This book had me in tears with the heartbreaking trials the family were made to overcome and the atrocities they witnessed in order to stay alive.
It is a stark reminder that humanity is equal despite our different races and religions and that we should always treat each other with kindness and love.
With real handwritten letters between husband and wife interwoven throughout the book, The Girl with the Silver Star is a story that will stand the test of time. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it!
Its a fight for survival when mother Raisa and father Abraham are forced to fight for the safety and lives of their two young children, when the family are forced to flee from their home from the bombs, chaos and destruction.
When her husband Abraham is sent to fight on the front lines, Raisa is left to protect the children all by herself.
Their personal story covers just some of the horrors the Jews endured and the struggles that they faced during the war.
The details in the story drew me right in alongside them as they fought for survival.
This book had me in tears with the heartbreaking trials the family were made to overcome and the atrocities they witnessed in order to stay alive.
It is a stark reminder that humanity is equal despite our different races and religions and that we should always treat each other with kindness and love.
With real handwritten letters between husband and wife interwoven throughout the book, The Girl with the Silver Star is a story that will stand the test of time. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2020
This book was just. Wow. I felt so attached emotionally to the book the main character the entire time. The way the book was written was in a way I never had imagined. It was romantic and heartbreaking all at the same time. She was able to stay strong and I almost felt like i was right there with Raisa the whole time.
The way she carried herself for her children and carried on each day was amazing. Reading about how in love she was with her husband almost makes you grateful for you own (if you have one of course) and feel all of those sparks and butterflies and your imagination wanders. There was something so amazing and yet so tragic about each part but it was like looking into a dusty minefield and seeing a single daisy sprout. There was brightness and a glow about the way the story drove itself through the darkness that ww2 was.
Thank you for giving me the priviledge to read such a book! It truly was rather amazing.
The way she carried herself for her children and carried on each day was amazing. Reading about how in love she was with her husband almost makes you grateful for you own (if you have one of course) and feel all of those sparks and butterflies and your imagination wanders. There was something so amazing and yet so tragic about each part but it was like looking into a dusty minefield and seeing a single daisy sprout. There was brightness and a glow about the way the story drove itself through the darkness that ww2 was.
Thank you for giving me the priviledge to read such a book! It truly was rather amazing.
November 21, 2020
I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
🎄🎄🎄 (three stars, as rated in Christmas trees because the flashbacks to Christmas were my favorite part of this book.)
Initially I gave this book 2 stars, but I have since revisited my rating because I think I was actually being a bit unfair. The story itself is really beautiful and the writing is easy to read. Don’t get me wrong, it’s absolutely devastating, but beautiful all the same. Resilience is such an intangible concept as we can never really be sure of our own limits until faced with them and I could genuinely feel the author’s awe toward the fortitude of her ancestors, being that they were the inspiration of the tale. I am an emotional person and prefer a lot of emotion from my characters. I’d rather be shown than told what they were feeling. But, that was not the direction the author chose to go with this book and so it reads much more like nonfiction than historical fiction. I went into it expecting something different than I got and was, admittedly, a little salty about it when I finished. Still, it is clear from the start that the lived experiences of these characters is of utmost importance to the author. The care taken to thoroughly research for this project is obvious throughout. I found myself researching Russian places and customs as they were mentioned, having not heard of many of them before. I am excited to see what is next for Rachel Zolotov. This was a promising debut novel and I am hopeful of more to come!
Content Warnings:
February 24, 2021
A marvelous story despite the heartbreaking subject!
I don’t remember reading a book about war that is so filled to the brim with love, light, and optimism. There is something magnetic about this novel based on real events. Is it the story itself or the people who are in the center of the events? Is it the author’s voice? Or something ephemeral this reader cannot describe? All along the way, I had that warm feeling as though the people (the author’s relatives) populating the novel were my good friends or family or I wished they were. Their way of life touched the deepest, most tender corners of my heart. The atmosphere or love, devotion, hope, and happiness despite all odds permeates every page. It was healing. For me, it was magical. Raisa (what personality!), the central character from whose POV the story is related, seems to look at everything through spectacles of kindness and nonjudgmental reflection. In the face of unimaginable difficulties—no wining or angry outburst, no blaming others and never complaining, but every day infused with hope—her positive attitude makes the story unforgettable and special. The author put me right there next to Raisa and I didn’t only feel for her, I felt with her.
The atmosphere of love and care for each other in her family and for friends enveloped the reader from the very first page despite the fear, destruction, and loss of the war. In Raisa’s words, “No matter what we endured, our mere presence in this life was beautiful, and I was thankful that our journey had brought us to this moment together…” How could she find the positive in any situation, I wondered? As I read about her life journey, I got goosebumps. I cried, I smiled, I was astounded.
Rachel Zolotov’s language, enchanting and easy to read, left me in awe of the author; the descriptions are so vivid, I felt inside the scenes.
The story’s appeal provides optimism for the time we now live through.
Highly recommended with no age reservation.
I don’t remember reading a book about war that is so filled to the brim with love, light, and optimism. There is something magnetic about this novel based on real events. Is it the story itself or the people who are in the center of the events? Is it the author’s voice? Or something ephemeral this reader cannot describe? All along the way, I had that warm feeling as though the people (the author’s relatives) populating the novel were my good friends or family or I wished they were. Their way of life touched the deepest, most tender corners of my heart. The atmosphere or love, devotion, hope, and happiness despite all odds permeates every page. It was healing. For me, it was magical. Raisa (what personality!), the central character from whose POV the story is related, seems to look at everything through spectacles of kindness and nonjudgmental reflection. In the face of unimaginable difficulties—no wining or angry outburst, no blaming others and never complaining, but every day infused with hope—her positive attitude makes the story unforgettable and special. The author put me right there next to Raisa and I didn’t only feel for her, I felt with her.
The atmosphere of love and care for each other in her family and for friends enveloped the reader from the very first page despite the fear, destruction, and loss of the war. In Raisa’s words, “No matter what we endured, our mere presence in this life was beautiful, and I was thankful that our journey had brought us to this moment together…” How could she find the positive in any situation, I wondered? As I read about her life journey, I got goosebumps. I cried, I smiled, I was astounded.
Rachel Zolotov’s language, enchanting and easy to read, left me in awe of the author; the descriptions are so vivid, I felt inside the scenes.
The story’s appeal provides optimism for the time we now live through.
Highly recommended with no age reservation.
October 18, 2020
It was an honor and a pleasure to be introduced to Mrs. Zolotov’s loving, courageous and determined family through her beautifully written book, “The Girl with the Silver Star.” It is both a heartbreaking and beautiful story of her family’s forced journey from their home in Minsk to avoid murder during WWII. Mrs. Zolotov’s writing style allows the reader to imagine the love, despair, fear, loneliness, bravery, grace and gratitude that members of her multigenerational family experienced without becoming overwhelmed. The story was so engaging that I did not want to put it down, nor did I want it to end. There were many priceless lessons about the power of love, perseverance, and the generosity of strangers that were a much needed comfort and reminder in our current climate… It is so important to bear witness, so such atrocities will not repeat themselves. I felt as though this book was a gift and I highly recommend it!!!
November 17, 2020
Thanks to Rachel Zolotov for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have never read such beautiful historical story ever in my life. Inspired by her own family, this book tells us of the struggle of the Jewish Community in World War Two in Soviet Union.
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The Girl With The Silver Star is the story of Raisa and her story of her family in the early 1940s when they had to fled from their homes to save themselves from the attack of the Nazis.
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This book is not only an account of what happened with Jewish families in wars,but it's also a story of how homes were destroyed, cities were destroyed, souls were destroyed but amongst all this Raisa stood brave, strong and to save her family from anything that came her way and learning a thing or two on the way to finding herself and a family a home again.
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The writing is so pure,such a beautiful narrative and you will see yourself wiping a tear or two while reading the book.
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Rachel not only shows us what happened on the front line but how the displacement of the families and the conditions they had to live in and the lives lost in the most brutal way.
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The writer doesn't sugarcoat the incidents and the war-period but keeps Raisa and her spirit alive in the book and the relationships she makes in her life with her sisters,her friends and most importantly her relationship with her husband Abraham was something to read as it was a love you could feel and only wish the best for them.
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I thank Rachel again for giving me this opportunity to read and review this absolute jewel and leave behind stories for us to learn from them.
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This book made me realise how easy it is for certain people to call out war without knowing it's repercussions to families, people and places in general.
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If you still don't realise, I would definitely recommend this book to you.
.
The Girl With The Silver Star is the story of Raisa and her story of her family in the early 1940s when they had to fled from their homes to save themselves from the attack of the Nazis.
.
This book is not only an account of what happened with Jewish families in wars,but it's also a story of how homes were destroyed, cities were destroyed, souls were destroyed but amongst all this Raisa stood brave, strong and to save her family from anything that came her way and learning a thing or two on the way to finding herself and a family a home again.
.
The writing is so pure,such a beautiful narrative and you will see yourself wiping a tear or two while reading the book.
.
Rachel not only shows us what happened on the front line but how the displacement of the families and the conditions they had to live in and the lives lost in the most brutal way.
.
The writer doesn't sugarcoat the incidents and the war-period but keeps Raisa and her spirit alive in the book and the relationships she makes in her life with her sisters,her friends and most importantly her relationship with her husband Abraham was something to read as it was a love you could feel and only wish the best for them.
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I thank Rachel again for giving me this opportunity to read and review this absolute jewel and leave behind stories for us to learn from them.
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This book made me realise how easy it is for certain people to call out war without knowing it's repercussions to families, people and places in general.
.
If you still don't realise, I would definitely recommend this book to you.
Read
October 16, 2020I wasn't able to connect with the writing style. I will try to pick it up again soon, but it just wasn't holding my attention.
March 21, 2021
A new perspective
How enlightening and heartbreaking it must have been for the author to uncover and then put into words to share with the world the story of her earlier generations. This is the first I have read about the Russian Jewish experience during WWII.
How enlightening and heartbreaking it must have been for the author to uncover and then put into words to share with the world the story of her earlier generations. This is the first I have read about the Russian Jewish experience during WWII.
October 5, 2020
The Girl with the Silver Star by Rachel Zolotov is an absolute must read based on a true love story that takes you on a journey exposing humanity's atrocious tendencies during war times. Set in WWII, the story follows a family of Belarussians from Minsk, as they navigate through the tough terrains of a war torn country, risking everything in hopes of finding a safe home. Many of us have heard stories of Polish and German Jews during this era, but this novel gives insight on the sufferings of Russian Jews as told through the sweet persona of Raisa, the author's real life great grandmother. You uncover just how fragile humankind is, but also discover how strong a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a mother can be when confronted at wits end.
I loved how the chapters alternate between Raisa's pre-war memories and current events as they unfold. The writing throughout is full of vivid imagery that transforms your imagination to the utmost emotional outcomes. I found the inclusion of cooking recipes, Jewish traditions, and war events were perfectly interweaved into the story, so that you did not feel lost reading it no matter your religion or historical knowledge. As in all dramatic thrillers, there is a plot twist, which you will surely find exhilarating!
If there ever was a need to validate the strength of women during war times, it is exemplified in this novel through the many women that cross Raisa's path. I felt empowered knowing that her strength was based on real events and real actions she took to protect her family. Such a wonderful novel to satisfy your soul, especially if you ever doubted whether true love exists.
I loved how the chapters alternate between Raisa's pre-war memories and current events as they unfold. The writing throughout is full of vivid imagery that transforms your imagination to the utmost emotional outcomes. I found the inclusion of cooking recipes, Jewish traditions, and war events were perfectly interweaved into the story, so that you did not feel lost reading it no matter your religion or historical knowledge. As in all dramatic thrillers, there is a plot twist, which you will surely find exhilarating!
If there ever was a need to validate the strength of women during war times, it is exemplified in this novel through the many women that cross Raisa's path. I felt empowered knowing that her strength was based on real events and real actions she took to protect her family. Such a wonderful novel to satisfy your soul, especially if you ever doubted whether true love exists.
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November 17, 2020Author Guest Post @ Let Them Read Books!
September 28, 2020
Wow!!! This is a must read for those who enjoy the World War 2 Era subject and want to feel a connection to possibly their own history.
What makes this story different is that it focuses on the refugees of Minsk and their struggles during the war. I have read several books about War World 2 set in Paris, in Germany and America but not about the Russian aspect. I had no idea so many men were drafted into the Red Army while their wives and children had to escape and survive by themselves.
Ms. Zolotov found letters from her great grandparents and pieced together their lives during this tumultuous time. The love between the two main characters, Raisa and Abraham, comes through in her writing. Raisa is, undoubtedly, the epitome of a strong woman. She managed to save her family and keep them going when all hope seemed lost. This character will stay with me for quite some time.
The fact that this book is based on true events that occurred in Ms. Zolotov's own family makes me want to research my own history. I felt such a connection to the characters of this book.
What makes this story different is that it focuses on the refugees of Minsk and their struggles during the war. I have read several books about War World 2 set in Paris, in Germany and America but not about the Russian aspect. I had no idea so many men were drafted into the Red Army while their wives and children had to escape and survive by themselves.
Ms. Zolotov found letters from her great grandparents and pieced together their lives during this tumultuous time. The love between the two main characters, Raisa and Abraham, comes through in her writing. Raisa is, undoubtedly, the epitome of a strong woman. She managed to save her family and keep them going when all hope seemed lost. This character will stay with me for quite some time.
The fact that this book is based on true events that occurred in Ms. Zolotov's own family makes me want to research my own history. I felt such a connection to the characters of this book.
November 17, 2020
Terrific book. I am a big fan of historical fiction, especially WWII themed, and this one didn't disappoint.
September 10, 2020
A story of love, loss, family and lasting friendships. This story is beautifully written and it will make you laugh, cry, get angry and want to love and be loved; hallmarks of a great story. The main character Raisa and her necklace are symbols of purity and reflect the themes of: good vs. evil, love and heroism. This story is more endearing because of its simple narrative; yet, depicts the complexities of war (WWII to be precise). Raisa's journey, while fleeing the ravishes of war, demonstrates the journey that many must take in life, to flee the negatives of their past, to embrace the joys of their future. Survival is critical and only the strong survives is also a true reflection of this tale.
October 23, 2020
This was a perspective on WWII that I had never really seen put into fiction (though the story is based on the author's great-grandmother). I really enjoyed reading about this and it was written in such a way that was easy to understand which can sometimes be difficult when it comes to Eastern European and Russian names. I want more people to read this story for both informative reasons and for a great story.
January 19, 2021
Captivating...
Absolutely the best story that I've read regarding Jewish refugees and survivors. Raisa and her story just came alive for me on the pages of the story.
Didn't want it to end and am so thankful for the Epilogue that completed the story and life if Raisa.
Absolutely the best story that I've read regarding Jewish refugees and survivors. Raisa and her story just came alive for me on the pages of the story.
Didn't want it to end and am so thankful for the Epilogue that completed the story and life if Raisa.
July 8, 2021
An incredible book that shares a story of love, loss, and struggle during world war 2. The unique perspective of Raisa and the inspiring women she met throughout her journey made this even more impactful. Truly beautifully written
November 16, 2020
"I prayed that I would find you... even at my lowest point, I still had hope."
The Girl With The Silver Star by Rachel Zolotov is one of the most emotionally honest novels I have ever read. It is written with so much love and sincerity and takes us on a rarely seen journey of Russian Jews trapped during Hitler's invasion of Russia.
Based on the true story of her Great Grandmother Raisa the author has us live through the horrors of war but also graces us with the resilience of a mother's love and strength and a wife's undying belief in her husband.
We travel through WWII from Raisa's point of view and feel her fear, anxiety, and her hope and determination as she and her two young daughters are forced to travel over 2,500 miles without her husband Abraham, who has been "drafted" into the Russian army. They often have to walk many miles when they cannot hitch a ride or get a train. They deal with starvation, lice, physical harm and the realization that death is always close.
One of the highlights of the book are the letters Abraham and Raisa write to each other during this time. Raisa goes through many emotions trying to decipher his redacted letters. Is he really ok? What is he really trying to tell me? But all the letters always end with their undying love.
There was much I related to in this book. My family immigrated to the U.S. in the 1700s from Russia to escape religious persecution. Their bravery allowed future generations to live free. Raisa grabs her Star of David when she gets nervous. This reminds me of how I grab the heart necklace my mom gave me. Like Raisa, touching it calms me and gives me strength.
I truly am so grateful to the writer for sharing Raisa's story and though I spent some time in tears reading it I also found hope in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Girl With The Silver Star by Rachel Zolotov is one of the most emotionally honest novels I have ever read. It is written with so much love and sincerity and takes us on a rarely seen journey of Russian Jews trapped during Hitler's invasion of Russia.
Based on the true story of her Great Grandmother Raisa the author has us live through the horrors of war but also graces us with the resilience of a mother's love and strength and a wife's undying belief in her husband.
We travel through WWII from Raisa's point of view and feel her fear, anxiety, and her hope and determination as she and her two young daughters are forced to travel over 2,500 miles without her husband Abraham, who has been "drafted" into the Russian army. They often have to walk many miles when they cannot hitch a ride or get a train. They deal with starvation, lice, physical harm and the realization that death is always close.
One of the highlights of the book are the letters Abraham and Raisa write to each other during this time. Raisa goes through many emotions trying to decipher his redacted letters. Is he really ok? What is he really trying to tell me? But all the letters always end with their undying love.
There was much I related to in this book. My family immigrated to the U.S. in the 1700s from Russia to escape religious persecution. Their bravery allowed future generations to live free. Raisa grabs her Star of David when she gets nervous. This reminds me of how I grab the heart necklace my mom gave me. Like Raisa, touching it calms me and gives me strength.
I truly am so grateful to the writer for sharing Raisa's story and though I spent some time in tears reading it I also found hope in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2021
My eyes have been opened once again. In school, they only touched on the highlights of WW2. Even at university they didn't go much deeper until I took a British History class. That is when I realized that if I want to know, learn and understand I had to search for points of views from other countries.
The Girl with the Silver Star allowed me to experience the devastation, the loneliness experienced by the citizens of Russia. I gained a beginning of understanding (yes only a beginning because I know there is so much more to learn) into the struggles of the Jewish people. Their strength amazes me.
The story is told through the eyes of Raisa as her family attempts to evacuate from Minsk. The Nazis are closing in and those of the Jewish faith are no longer safe. They are packing to flee when the air raid siren blasts. With suitcases in hand they head to the shelter. The next morning the only things they have left are what is in those cases. Their home has been destroyed. Their town is in ruins. They must now join others in fleeing to safety.
Readers join Raisa on her family's journey. It is just her and her two daughters searching for a safe place after her husband has been ordered to join the army. I never realized how challenging it must have been. The devastation, the starvation, the sense of survival, no matter the cost, were all things that I need to remember. That we all need to remember and learn even more about.
You need to read this so you can remember and understand no one suffered like those that were there. We in America lost loved ones. They lost everything. They gave up everything. They had no homes to go home to when the war ended. They had no family to find.
The Girl with the Silver Star allowed me to experience the devastation, the loneliness experienced by the citizens of Russia. I gained a beginning of understanding (yes only a beginning because I know there is so much more to learn) into the struggles of the Jewish people. Their strength amazes me.
The story is told through the eyes of Raisa as her family attempts to evacuate from Minsk. The Nazis are closing in and those of the Jewish faith are no longer safe. They are packing to flee when the air raid siren blasts. With suitcases in hand they head to the shelter. The next morning the only things they have left are what is in those cases. Their home has been destroyed. Their town is in ruins. They must now join others in fleeing to safety.
Readers join Raisa on her family's journey. It is just her and her two daughters searching for a safe place after her husband has been ordered to join the army. I never realized how challenging it must have been. The devastation, the starvation, the sense of survival, no matter the cost, were all things that I need to remember. That we all need to remember and learn even more about.
You need to read this so you can remember and understand no one suffered like those that were there. We in America lost loved ones. They lost everything. They gave up everything. They had no homes to go home to when the war ended. They had no family to find.
November 17, 2020
I found this story intriguing! It's basically the memoir of Raisa, a Russian Jewish mother, and her two daughters, going through the terrors and heartbreak of World War II. I enjoyed the various joyful "before the war" scenes and customs sandwiched between her day-to-day events as a refugee.
The story starts as Abraham and Raisa and their two daughters survive the initial bombing of Minsk. They attempt to escape by train from the approaching German army – along with thousands of others. As they wait hopefully for space on the next train, the Red Army shows up and conscripts Abraham. His presence in the story after this is mainly through letters he wrote to his family while serving in the army. But his love for "his girls" casts a warm glow through the whole story.
Raisa and her daughters were able to join her parents and sisters in another city and the group made their way, along other refugees, to a safer place. The book tells of the treacherous journey they undertook, crammed like sardines in freight cars, with trains being bombed and heartless thieves, as they passed through cities overflowing with refugees, finally finding a temporary home at Kokand, in Uzbekistan.
As I began to read, I soon realized that this story isn't being related in contemporary English. Rather, in the writer's choice of words and syntax, I "heard" the Eastern European accent Raisa would have used to tell her story. I felt like I was listening to her as she shared her life in day-by-day scenes and memories of a better day – always holding on to the hope that there will be better days again.
The story starts as Abraham and Raisa and their two daughters survive the initial bombing of Minsk. They attempt to escape by train from the approaching German army – along with thousands of others. As they wait hopefully for space on the next train, the Red Army shows up and conscripts Abraham. His presence in the story after this is mainly through letters he wrote to his family while serving in the army. But his love for "his girls" casts a warm glow through the whole story.
Raisa and her daughters were able to join her parents and sisters in another city and the group made their way, along other refugees, to a safer place. The book tells of the treacherous journey they undertook, crammed like sardines in freight cars, with trains being bombed and heartless thieves, as they passed through cities overflowing with refugees, finally finding a temporary home at Kokand, in Uzbekistan.
As I began to read, I soon realized that this story isn't being related in contemporary English. Rather, in the writer's choice of words and syntax, I "heard" the Eastern European accent Raisa would have used to tell her story. I felt like I was listening to her as she shared her life in day-by-day scenes and memories of a better day – always holding on to the hope that there will be better days again.
November 14, 2020
What a beautiful, heartwarming story this is! It is a story of true love and perseverance of a Jewish family, which takes place in Soviet Russia during World War II. Growing up in Russia, I was surrounded by war stories since childhood. Countless Russian books and movies about the war always extolled the heroism of the Russian soldiers. Little, however, was said about the plight of Russian Jews and other families who were trying to escape Nazi occupation. What sets the Girl with the Silver Star apart, is the focus on quiet every day heroism of Raisa, an ordinary wife and mother who overcomes extraordinary hardships to keep her family safe.
Raisa’s husband is drafted to the army in the early days of Nazi’s invasion of Belarus, and Raisa is forced to flee Germans across the USSR with her young daughters and extended family. Suffering and chaos are everywhere – death, starvation, disease. Raisa’s fear and anxiety are raw and palpable, yet they’re overshadowed by the love she feels for her family, which keeps her focused one thing – to keep her family safe and together.
This book is meticulously researched and is full of priceless Yiddish sayings and little vignettes that makes it both historically accurate and easy to relate to. The poignant human moments permeate the book and make it a must read.
Raisa’s husband is drafted to the army in the early days of Nazi’s invasion of Belarus, and Raisa is forced to flee Germans across the USSR with her young daughters and extended family. Suffering and chaos are everywhere – death, starvation, disease. Raisa’s fear and anxiety are raw and palpable, yet they’re overshadowed by the love she feels for her family, which keeps her focused one thing – to keep her family safe and together.
This book is meticulously researched and is full of priceless Yiddish sayings and little vignettes that makes it both historically accurate and easy to relate to. The poignant human moments permeate the book and make it a must read.
December 31, 2020
I just finished The Girl with the Silver Star. What a beautiful novel and a fresh perspective I had never read before on WWII in Russia. Recently, I saw information showing how many Russian lives were lost in WWII and I was shocked. It was new information for me. But looking at information only gives numbers, it doesn't go into the lives that were lived and the loves that were lost. Numbers don't tell of the women who bonded together while their men were off at war to save families and try to survive acts beyond our comprehension. With a beautiful, almost lyrical, writing style; this novel touched me deeply. I suggest it for anyone who enjoyed Cilka's Journey or loves historical WWII fiction.
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