I like books from this era because it reminds me that even in times of desperation and oppression that some people will fight back. Unfortunately, this book felt a bit flat - almost like an early draft. Maybe the 'diary' format limited it a bit, but it has a lot of potential if it was longer and the characters were more developed.

Not for me I'm afraid. I wasn't really impressed by it but it was an ok read. Good writing style and ok characters.

I received an ARC from net galley in exchange for my review of this book. I found Wordwings to be an intriguing and curiously creative look at the Warsaw ghettos written from the perspective of a young girl, Rivke. With the power of words Rivke provides simultaneously an escape for the children and community in the ghetto as well as a documentation of the circumstances of their daily lives from the perspective of a child. The joy and resiliencey of children in the most unlikely circumstances come shining through. Wordwings provides a quick storyline and allows you to consider the plight of the children in the Warsaw ghetto without the horror and devastation that are surely surrounding them.

<p>In which I read <a href="http://www.reluctantm.com/?p=6265">another novel about the Holocaust, set in a Polish Ghetto, from the perspective of a child</a>, but without the magical talking dolls. I think I appreciate books about the Holocaust more that don't feature talking dolls, as much as anyone can, or should, <i>appreciate</i> a novel about how truly sh*tty humans can be to each other. </p>

<p>So, <A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19876620/book/148213410">Wordwings</a> is about a girl who tells stories in the Warsaw ghetto, writing them between and around the lines of a worn book of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. That's why I requested it; there's something poetic about where she had to write. It has a sort of fairy tale logic in its necessity. And then there's some talk of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Six_Swans">The Six Swans</a>, which I always think of a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0710993/">The Three Ravens</a> from the Jim Henson Storyteller TV show. So, little pieces I liked dappled throughout.</p>

<p>I approached <A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19876620/book/148213410">Wordwings</a> as a children's book, maybe because the last novel I read about the Holocaust was geared towards kids. But then <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> tells me it's <i>General Adult.</i> But then Rivke, our protagonist, doesn't really write like a child, although does one write like a child in such situations? I am blessed that I never had to find out. But as an adult book, <A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19876620/book/148213410">Wordwings</a> only kind of works, mainly since the secondary characters are more sketches than people. If we put it back as a middle-grade novel, the characterization work better. But then we're again with the voice, which I can't reconcile with a child's one. But I think a middle-grade reader would see past that. And I think that even if it says <i>General adult</i>, I might put it under <i>mature middle-grade (and weirdo grown-ups like me who like middle-grade books)</i>.</p>

<p><A href="https://www.librarything.com/work/19876620/book/148213410">Wordwings</a> by Sydelle Pearl went on sale October 1, 2017.</p>

<p><small>I received a copy free from <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> in exchange for an honest review.</small></p>

This was is definitely a child's version of events. The fairytales remind us of the tragedy of childhoods lost. I would have liked the book to be longer. I would have liked more historical fact in it as well.

A short, poignant and incredibly evocative book set in the Warsaw ghetto during the World War II. This is the story of 12 year old Rivke, who lives with her Grandfather and two younger sisters in the ghetto. Written as a series of diary entries, it describes some of the day to day experiences she and her family endured, from the cruel and humiliating, to the powerful and uplifting. While some readers may dislike this format, I thought it worked very well, and lent a real feel of authenticity to the book.
Rivke is a storyteller by nature, and writes her secret diary in the margins of one of the few books remaining in the ghetto, a selection of stories by Hans Christian Andersen. Several of these stories are retold within the book, as well as some original stories and some traditional tales from other countries. The use of storytelling as comfort, and as a record of what is going on in the ghetto works very well, while also making the horrors more understandable for younger readers. The original story, the Jewish Geese was particularly moving and it became a focal point of the book as a whole.
If I had one real criticism of the book, it is that the ending is far too abrupt, it almost feels like the book is unfinished, which is a shame as I really enjoyed it up to that point.
I received a review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

I have read to many Holocaust books and each time I think 'no more' I'm drawn to the next. The innocence of the child Rivka Rosenfeld is heartwarming and so sad. We need to keep on reading these books - lest we ever forget!

I enjoyed the Premise of this story. I think that is is a very interesting read although I wanted to like the characters more than I did.

Blog review will go live on the release date!

The sisters of Rivke, were not fully developed enough for me to form an opinion of them. Rivke was boring and hard to relate to or empathize with. I feel as if this premise would have made for an engrossing read if the author had written it differently and expanded on more characters.

This was such a beautiful and powerful story - I wasn't expecting it to be so short even though I did check the page number on Goodreads beforehand. I just love anything to do with WWII historical fiction novels but this one definitely makes a really big impact with just the writing style, characters, and raw emotions that resonate from this story.

Set in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1941 and seen through the eyes of 12 year old Rivke, this book brings both hope and tears. Filled with folktales, fairytales, and interwoven with snippets of history Wordwings is a unique and interesting reading experience.

The concept behind this book is beautiful and interesting, but I walked away from it feeling as though I may have missed something. There is so much about this book that I loved - the folk tales, expertly crafted storytelling embedded throughout, the constant references to Hans Christian Anderson's fairytales, and the flawless inclusion of actual historical figures. And yet, I found myself unable to connect with Rivke's stories and character. This however, I will have to chalk entirely up to personal preference as I rarely enjoy a first person point of view, and generally don't gravitate towards texts that are heavy on the use of 'I'.

I was, however, constantly struck at how children can find magic and beauty in the most unexpected places. The power the story, the act of storytelling, and how these elements work in communities was a shining light throughout this novel. I was constantly reminded of the unusual ways in which children's minds work, and their ability to tell tales that are bound to bring a smile to your face.

I was excited to read this book because it sounded like it would be something along the lines of The Book Thief, one of my favorite novels. It was a far cry from that. This novel was disjointed and seemed more like a stream of consciousness rather than a true story.
The format is of a diary where we follow the protagonist through her haunting life in the Warsaw Ghetto. She finds comfort in telling children and adults about the stories that she has read and even adapts them so that they will fit the life they are living currently.
The premise for this novel sounded good and if it had been delivered properly, I have no doubt that it would have been a great novel. I could not finish this book fast enough because I disliked it so much.
The sisters of Rivke, the protagonist, are flat and are never fully developed. The only character that we get to know decently well is Rivke and even she is a flat and boring character. She offers insight about what happens in her life but I felt that the community was too centered around her. It felt like Rivke was getting so many benefits in the community because of her stories, which would have never happened.
I would have liked this story to be grounded more in truth and more examples of what WWII and the treatment of Jews in the Ghetto was like. I felt that if it was from another perspective, perhaps Zayde, the novel would have been much more effective.

Good fit for the target age group, but I just couldn't get into this. The flashbacks felt disconnected and a little too back and forth.