Book Review: The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

This is a book that I chose based purely on the cover and the title. A historical fiction novel during WW2, it is about a Jewish mother and her young daughter (Shira) trying to survive the Nazi’s occupation of Poland. The lengths a mother will go to to survive and protect her child is amazing, and heartbreaking. The things endured purely for survival, the fear, and the risk is unimaginable. Now imagine it with a five year old. Shira is a musical prodigy, and her mother must keep her silent while in hiding. Thus, the yellow bird is born.

This novel will hurt your heart, and the bittersweet ending will leave you crying. It is a book that is somewhat subtle, but sticks with you well after you've finished reading it. I recommend taking about a week or so to sit with it before moving on. If you have read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, I would not put it on the same level so you may find some relief in that. Nonetheless, everything you read about living through Nazi occupation is either disgusting, heartbreaking, unimaginable, and so much more. This book is no exception. 4/5 stars.

Buy It.