From the Publisher
This lyrical book is one of the most truthful survivor stories I’ve ever read. I think this book will be a page-turner for adolescents. — Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage
A profound and powerful story of the Holocaust, told with heart, soul, and music. — Kathryn Lasky, Newbery Honoree and winner of the National Jewish Book Award
A harrowing and remarkable story of strength and survival. — Kirkus Reviews
Appended with generous back matter, this offers a revealing look at an underreported Holocaust chapter. — Booklist
Hood tells Zhanna’s story through both free verse and a rich array of forms. The use of poetry is effective, echoing in its complexity the music of a singular life caught in the chaos of history. This highly recommended book includes extensive background material, photos, sources, lists of musical compositions, and poetic forms. — Jewish Book Council
[A] hard-hitting nonfiction biography told in verse. [An] accessible portrait of two talented and determined teens. — Publishers Weekly
This compelling book of loss and perseverance will stay with readers long after they have finished. . . This lyrical biography (written with Dawson, Zhanna’s son) features significant back matter, including discography, original photographs and correspondence, further reading, and more. The verse format and harrowing narrative make this a quick read for reluctant and striving readers. This powerful work of persistence and hope is highly recommended. — School Library Journal
A tribute to the power of girls. — The Sydney Taylor Schmooze
On the Audio Edition: "A touching story of art, struggle, and overcoming persecution, with a narration that is a testament to survival." — Booklist
Booklist
Appended with generous back matter, this offers a revealing look at an underreported Holocaust chapter.
Jewish Book Council
Hood tells Zhanna’s story through both free verse and a rich array of forms. The use of poetry is effective, echoing in its complexity the music of a singular life caught in the chaos of history. This highly recommended book includes extensive background material, photos, sources, lists of musical compositions, and poetic forms.
Jack Kliger
This lyrical book is one of the most truthful survivor stories I’ve ever read. I think this book will be a page-turner for adolescents.
Booklist
Appended with generous back matter, this offers a revealing look at an underreported Holocaust chapter.
Kirkus Reviews
2021-12-15
Sisters Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya were piano prodigies in Stalin’s Soviet Union who survived against the odds.
The Jewish Arshansky family lived in the small Ukrainian city of Berdyansk until the sisters were 8 and 6, when growing antisemitism forced them to settle in bustling Kharkov. The sisters earned scholarships to a famed music conservatory and were happy for some time. But when the Einsatzgruppen, or Nazi death squads, arrived in 1941, the family was forced on a long death march to Drobitsky Yar where nearly everyone was killed. The two girls, then 14 and 12, escaped and made it back to Kharkov. Relying on the kindness of courageous people, Zhanna and Frina obtained false papers and established new identities as Christian girls named Anna and Marina Morozova. They went on to become renowned pianists, hiding in plain sight and entertaining German audiences and Nazi soldiers across Europe. Though constantly living with the risk of discovery, they survived the war with their secret safe. Using a variety of poetry styles and direct quotes from Dawson’s mother, Zhanna, the co-authors relate the siblings’ horrific and incredible lives. While some of the verse forms seem almost too frivolous for such a serious tale, this work offers readers the truth of the Shoah in a simple and accessible format.
A harrowing and remarkable story of strength and survival. (note on names, map, authors’ note, photographs, letters, afterword, list of music, historical note, places of note, poetry notes, sources, bibliography) (Verse biography. 10-14)
