Based on the true story of two World War II heroines, Andrée and Ida, who risked everything to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium using coded notebooks.

I haven’t read anything by Rebecca Connolly before but I did like her writing in this novel - though some of it had more internal monologue than I thought was necessary, the imagery written was amazing and I can still picture some scenes in my head, even days after reading it. Connolly really puts you on the streets of Brussels with the tension of doing everything one can to save children.

Each chapter began with real Nazi propaganda and it really got to me a bit for how many of them were aimed at children. This book is about saving children, and to have such nasty propaganda aimed at the same age group these women are trying to save just goes to show how much hatred is taught.

This is all based on a true story(ies) of the CDJ in Belgium - which, as stated in the Afterword of the novel, is estimated to have hidden nearly three thousand children successfully during WWII!

My only thing about the novel is I wasn’t always 100% sure where in the timeline of the war the chapters were happening. Sometimes I could gage based on what they would talk about - like clearly towards the end, but other times I kind of wished I knew what year it was.

Overall though, I absolutely loved this book and I already know a few people I will be recommending it to. If you love historical fiction about WWII, especially those based on true events, this book will capture your attention and never let it go - even long after you’ve finished.

*Thank you Shadow Mountain an NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The people of Belgium heroically saved a lot of Jewish children. If you do not know their stories, this would give you information. However, I felt the telling of this particular story was a bit impersonal, and I had no strong feelings for either the women that were the focus of the story or for the children involved. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc and no pressure for a positive review.

How I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!! In a nutshell, it's an amazing story of two women who helped save hundreds of Jewish children from the Gestapo. Andrée Geulen is a young school teacher who, although not Jewish, notices that each day some of her Jewish students were disappearing, and the ones still in school the were being affected by the bright yellow stars they must wear on their jackets. ". . . she was not going to allow the shaming of children to stand where she could make a difference." Ida Sterno, a non-practicing Jewish woman and social worker who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews, part of the Belgian resistance recruits Andrée to work with them.

These are real women who lived in Belgium in 1942 when the persecution of Jews was gaining ground. Ida and Andrée risked their lives saving as many children as they could by hiding them with other families using secret channels established by the resistance. This story, although heart-wrenching at times, captivated me. Several times my heart pounded wondering if Ida and Andrée would get caught.

At the beginning of each chapter is a quotation, which came from various German propaganda and shows the contempt that was held towards the Jewish people and made them look less than human. Thankfully, not everyone believed the propaganda and there were many who helped hide the children or aided in their escape.

I love Rebecca Connolly's writing and I think it gets better with each book. This is definitely one I would recommend to everyone. There's an afterword and author's notes at the end that you shouldn't skip over. I don't think I'd have been able to do what Ida and Andrée did; they were brave women who stood up for what was right at a time when it was dangerous to do so, and because they did hundreds of children's lives were saved.

I received a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

There is a heavy emotional impact while reading Hidden Yellow Stars, because of its focus on the experiences of Jewish families in Belgium during World War 2. The story follows two remarkable women dedicated to aiding Jewish children in escaping the Gestapo and finding safe refuge. The story centers on the tireless efforts of The Committee for the Defense of Jews, risking danger at every turn to smuggle families to safety.

Ida Sterno, a Jewish woman involved in the CDJ, finds schoolteacher Andrée Geulen, a young,non-Jewish woman who helped her students by concealing the yellow stars they wore. Andrée's Aryan appearance allowed her to safely escort children to hiding spots, even passing by Gestapo officers gathered in the street. There were many heart-stopping moments as they hoped for the children's true identity to stay concealed.

Along with the courage and determination of Ida, Andrée, and other CDJ members, the story also shows the harrowing reality of families that were forcibly taken from their homes and the brutality of concentration camps. While not shying away from the horrors faced by many Jews, the storyline avoids getting into excessively graphic details, instead focusing on the bravery that was shown by these women in protecting the innocent children.

The book not only educates on this tragic historical period but also highlights the courage of individuals who assisted those in need. Make sure and read the author's notes at the end of the book for further information and understanding. Rebecca Connolly's storytelling skills shine in Hidden Yellow Stars. You're immediately immersed in this powerful novel that I know will be in my top 10 reads of 2024. This impressive story should be read by all to remember the atrocities that took place and that we prevent them from happening again.

Such a beautiful book that tells the story of a group of people who help sneak Jewish children away to people and places who will keep them safe from being taken to camps. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking!

Hidden Yellow Stars
By: Rebecca Connolly

5 Stars

I have read many books based on this time in history, but this is the first of this nature. The saving of children, by hiding them, with a brilliant way to keep them safe, yet organized. This story was wonderfully done. It was captivating to read of the bravery of the women and men that risked all they could to save those that needed it. To save those that couldn't save themselves. You meet only a few in these pages, but each had such an amazing role to play in a very ugly time of war, persecution, and fear. Many killed, while many died in the camps. Danger was everywhere.

This was an amazing story that touched my heart. It was lovely to see the determination of a people that were suffering and surrounded by the horrors of the Nazi regime. It was well written and well researched. I learned so much I never knew and will definitely share this book with my history loving friends.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

I am at a loss to figure how to encapsulate the impressions of a book such as this. Words won’t come, but emotions are there.

Emotive words like moving, heartbreaking, hopeful, unimaginable, awe inspiring are accurate but inadequate.

In the end what you’re left with is the all encompassing ache to see people, really see them, and to do something not just wish you could.

And that is the result of words and a story so incredibly well written.

The suspicion is palpable, the terror, the no clear line of what is right and what is necessary. The goodness in the face of so much evil, the compassion and the horror. The hard questions and the realities juxtaposed with their dedication to not just keeping them safe, but doing their best to provide them with happiness is all so incredibly portrayed on each page.

I whole heartedly recommend this book and the heart and soul infused in it.

I have been reading Rebecca Connolly since I first discovered her years and years ago. I've read everything. When her first non romance historical fiction came out I was so nervous, but it turned out I didn't need to worry. I loved it! BUUUUUT....I loved this one even more!!!!

This was a fantastic WWII historical fiction novel. It drew my in right from the start. I loved the female characters, their strength, their fortitude, and even their friendships with each other. Really a beautiful story about women as well as about these children they worked so hard to save.

I cried multiple times during this book and in my mind, that is a GOOD thing. I love when I feel so connected to a story and the characters that I feel an emotional attachment.

Read this one and you won't regret it! Loved it!

Connolly, Rebecca, Hidden Yellow Stars. Pgs. 304.

Set in World War Two Belgium, Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman living with fake papers. Working as a teacher at a convent, she helps the Jewish resistance to help children escape and find new homes. She enlists the help of Andree Geulen to help defy the Nazis. As each Jewish child escapes, Andree commits their true identity to memory and vows to help as many families as possible reunite. Traitorous Fat Jacques and the Gestapo, however, suspect Ida and Andress and are trying to catch them. Fat Jacques hatred of the Jewish people fuels his determination to put an end to the resistance. Risking their lives, will Ida and Andree continue to succeed?

Based off a true story, the author’s well-researched novel is inspiring, well-written, and engaging. The perspective is unique and does a great job of telling a lesser-known story. The plot is well-developed and true to real events. There is a piece of Nazi Propaganda at the beginning of each chapter. Included in the back is a bibliography as well as a follow up to what happened to the people in the story. Readers interested in historical fiction, adventure, and WWII stories will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 to Adult, 5 stars.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

What a heart rending story, the history books didn't tell us all the things that happened during the German occupation of Belgium. Thank you Rebecca Connolly for enlightening us to the plight of the children during this awful time. It is hard to put this book down as the story unfolds, you want to turn the next page quickly to see if the hero's made it through danger. I often think to myself whilst reading, would I have been able to do what these brave men and women did to keep the children alive and like to think that I would.
The author has done some very deep research and has found some interesting facts. The story is even more harrowing knowing that the main characters were based on real people. Thank you for a lovely book.

Ordinary women can be heroes. This historical fiction novel hits close to home for the author. It was heartbreaking to read in the Author’s Note that while doing research for this book she learned about several people from her own family history who died in the concentration camps of WWII.

This is the remarkable true story of Andree Geulen, Ida Sterno and other women who risked everything to move 3,000 Jewish children in Belgium to safe hiding places. Unfortunately, most of the time the parents had to be left behind. A complex system of notebooks is kept to record the child’s real name, new false name, date of birth, true parent address, and location hiding them.

It’s difficult to read the short quotes from anti Jew literature and speeches at the beginning of each chapter. Most surprising are the horrible statements made in children’s books. I like that the author doesn’t show a lot of the violence, you mostly just see the after effects. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-copy of Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connelly.This is a historical fiction account based on the true stories of Ida and Andree , two social workers in Brussels who helped hide thousands of Jewish children during WW2.Ida was Jewish so this was a particularly dangerous line of work for her. Andree who had Aryan looks was the perfect Aryan “ mother” to the children she helped hide.This book portrays these heroic women as both human but also superhuman because they were able to confront their fears and use it to overcome evil and save lives.Each chapter had a quote from some of the Nazi ideology condemning Jews as being subhuman animals that must be destroyed.In the face of this evil, it is doubly impressive that these women were able to save so many.Highly recommend.

World War II is one of my favorite time periods. I love learning about it, and reading novels based on specific events or people is one of my favorite ways to do that. My most recent WWII read was “Hidden Yellow Stars” by Rebecca Connolly. I was blown away by the story of Andrée Geulen and Ida Sterno. Not only did I learn about the rescue efforts of these two brave women, but also I walked away with a great desire to do good for those around me.

One thing I loved about “Hidden Yellow Stars'' was the way it was written. It is beautifully written, and with so much respect for these women and the lives they saved and the ones that were lost. It’s written as a dual point-of-view allowing the reader to see Andrée Geulen and Ida Sterno. Both of these women risk everything to save the lives of their Jewish neighbors. The dual pov was perfect as it gave the perspective of these rescues being made by a Jewish woman in disguise and a schoolteacher wanting to do something for her students.

A shoutout needs to be given to Rebecca Connolly. The amount of research that she did and the respect that she clearly has for these women and their story is woven into the pages of this book. There is a reverence about it that adds to its meaning.

“Hidden Yellow Stars” is one story that readers won’t regret reading. Full of emotion and brave characters, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves World War II.

If you love WWII fiction this one is a must read. Based on the true story of two women who helped save Jewish children from the Gestapo, this one will pull at your heartstrings.

A moving and poignant story set against the backdrop of WWII. The writing is atmospheric and rich in historical detail.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly is a beautiful tale based on a heroic true story. Andree and Ida are each remarkable in their own way. The risks that are taken are all for the children and for pursuing rightness and justice in the face of horrendous evil. Andree is not Jewish and commits to doing whatever it takes, at whatever cost. Ida is Jewish, but thanks to her fair coloring, can pass as non-Jewish. Together, these women carry on the work of the Committee for the Defense of Jews. Through creative placements and intricate record keeping many, many children are saved in Belgium. I loved that they did not just get the children to safety, but there was a plan for when they were able to start reuniting families. It reads like fiction, but I often had to stop and remind myself that there were real people putting themselves on the line for the sake of helping their neighbors, just as Ida and Andree did. I did not know about Fat Jacques, and it just broke my heart to read about how he turned on his own people. This is not a light read, so pace yourself. There is a lot of historical detail which helps provide context and authenticity. Overall, I found this to be very well written, deeply moving, and memorable.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The work they did here was important, and it needed to continue, now more than ever.'

Would you do it? Risk everything to rehome a child? Take in a child in danger? I hope I would but I don't truly know. I am so glad there are people who had.

If you like emotional books, WWII, inspirational women, books that break your heart, historicals, and a reminder that there are good people, even in, maybe especially in, the darkest of times, read this book.

This is such a powerful and moving story! Full of heartache and triumph! I'm sure there are many more true stories such as what Andrée Geulen and Ida Sterno did to save lives that we are unaware of. But I'm so grateful to know of the stories that we do have of those who risked their own lives to secretly defy the Nazis and do what was right to protect and save humans who were targeted! As a child I devoured anything I could about WWII. My grandfather passed away before I was born. He served in WWII and I felt that if I could study and learn everything I could about it that I would know him and more about his strong patriotism and desire to make the world a better place by fighting for what was right. When I learned that Rebecca Connolly was writing this story, I couldn't wait to read it and learn more about these two incredible women and the organization they worked for. I don't know what I would have done in their shoes, but I do know that I hope I would have been as courageous and willing to do what they did to protect these innocent children!

Do you love Historical Fiction? If so, I highly recommend that you pick up this book and come to know about the daring rescue of many children and how they were saved. Something that I found so neat was that one of the children that was rescued and saved by Andrée and Ida read this book and left a review for it. How amazing is that? I'm so grateful that people are willing to share their stories so that we can know of the past. Even though these were harrowing moments of history, I'm grateful to learn of them and know of the good that exists in this world and in humanity. Let us not forget the struggles and sorrows felt by others and become complacent in our own lives because there are things happening all around us and in the world that we can see and find a way to advocate and do what is right!

Thank you to Rebecca Connolly for writing such a powerful and inspiring story. Thank you to Andrée Geulen and Ida Sterno for your selfless courage and gift of love! I will not forget you nor your story!

Content: Clean. This book is based on true happenings and people in Belgium during WWII. There are some moments that are intense and some sad moments. There might be some triggers for some readers. The author did a really great job of being sensitive to the happenings of the time but still being true to it.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Rebecca Connolly has been one of my favorite authors for years. She has always had a way with grabbing your attention and entertaining you from page one but this book completely blows my mind and expectations! It shook me to the core and had my heart aching and cheering at the same time! (Is that even possible?!) Hidden Yellow Stars isn't just a must read, but a must read right now. You won't regret it. Brilliance!