The Blackbird Girls

Two fifth graders who dislike each other experience the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in Ukraine in the 1980s and are forced to evacuate together. Their story is intertwined with prejudice and intolerance towards Jewish people, the threat of KGB intervention, and dire poverty. As the two girls are thrown together, they learn to appreciate each other, resilience, the strength of friendship, and the power of hope. This timely fast-paced historical novel details oppression of Jewish people in Ukraine surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and WWII, and explores trauma, abuse, war, loss, grief, belonging, friendship, and hope. Social considerations noted; discussions and support may be required.