"Children of the Stars" by Mario Escobar takes readers on an emotional journey through one of the darkest periods in human history – World War 2. Set against the backdrop of the Paris during the war, the novel follows the lives of siblings Jacob and Moses as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of war-torn France.

Escobar masterfully intertwines historical events with a gripping narrative, drawing readers into the heart-wrenching struggles of the characters. The siblings' courage and resilience in the face of adversity make them compelling protagonists, while their quest for survival and freedom keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

What truly sets "Children of the Stars" apart is its exploration of the human spirit amidst the chaos of war. Escobar skillfully delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the indomitable power of hope, creating a poignant and unforgettable tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Overall, "Children of the Stars" is a powerful and captivating novel that sheds light from a different aspect while also celebrating the strength of the human spirit. Escobar's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this compelling work, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

3.5 Stars

This was a really interesting perspective to read about WWII from, through the eyes of a pair of brothers who against all odds managed to escape capture by the Nazis time and time again. It really demonstrates how many good people there were during that time, willing to risk it all to help strangers. A beautiful story.

Sorry I could not finish this book in time. I had an emergency at the time and could not finish. I have friends who have read it and loved it. I will get a copy and try to read. Thank you for the opportunity.

Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I love WWII stories, and when they have several heroes that makes them even better! Of course there is sadness that goes without saying but every time a milestone is reached you just want to stand up and cheer. I could go on and on how great this story is but I’m afraid I would put to many spoilers in the review. You really do need to get it and read it to find out who the heroes are! Thank you Mario for writing such a great book!

What a fabulous book! If you love World War II this is the book for you! Two brothers who must find their parents after the Germans round them up and take over Paris. This is the story of resilience, family and determination. Danger at every turn this brothers are determined to find their parents. An awesome read!

Jacob and Moses Stein find themselves without their parents during the 1942 horrific and terrifying round up of the Jewish people in Paris. The brothers are living with their aunt while their parents, well-known German playwrights with definite targets on their backs, try to secure safe passage to Argentina for the family. Escaping capture and armed only with an address for their parents, will the family ever be reunited?

The author has done extensive research into the true events of the time, weaving in two fictitious brothers with the young children saved by a small village in France. The author's note details the truth from the fiction, as well as giving readers a timeline of the larger world events. I wanted to like this novel more than I ultimately did, especially as I am a fan of historical fiction. Having read many recent publications regarding France's involvement in the rounding up of the Jewish people in World War II, I was hoping that the characters would be special enough to carry the familiar subject. Resilient and resourceful, both Jacob and Moses are almost too good to be true. These are boys who did not seem to have a care in the world before the fateful day, yet they are able to navigate a country and its people almost with ease. Ultimately, Children of the Stars is a good story, but just misses the mark for me.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Children of the Stars via NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson. The choice to review this book was my own.

Children of the Stars is about the Stein brothers wishing to reunite with their parents. This book was given to me from NetGalley as an Advanced Reader Copy and I enjoyed the author's previous works. Upon finishing this book, I was shocked at the amount of history that I didn't know, at the same time I was relieved for the boys.
I enjoyed the writing of this book because the author was able to incorporate all the senses during different scenes. Mario Escobar made it feel like you were right there with the boys during their travels. The story was easy to read and was well-paced even though it covered a lot of different periods of time and adventures. The story’s greatest strength was its ability to tell a story that was unique and made you invest in the characters. The story followed a clear path but had one main conflict that was shown throughout the story with different points of reaching the same climax but a different resolution. The author did a great job of describing the world that the story takes place in and makes it believable as well.
The main characters of Joseph and Moses Stien, who at the beginning were living with their Aunt till the raids in Paris. The characters are mainly representing Judaism and French as the story takes place during the invasion and control of France by the Nazis. The Stein brothers both grow throughout the series as their relationships not only deepens but they discover how to be unique.
The main theme was the kindness of others. The Stein brothers, nor their parents, would not have been able to escape France without the help of others. Though every person who helped them could have possibly been arrested, detained, or exiled. They took the chance on their life as well as their families to help these two young boys. This challenged us as a reader to ask ourselves are we doing enough for those around us.
The reader should take away that even when there were war and danger others still risked for those less fortunate. This book should be read to see how small acts and togetherness can change the outcome, no matter the size of the act. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in World War II fiction, acts of compassion or selflessness, and families being reunited.

I wanted to read this book because I loved Auschwitz Lullaby so much, but unfortunately I didn't love this one as much

This was a very slow moving story that read more like a boring journal than a novel.

I did like the history and the ending. But overall it was just too slow.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is one of the first WWII novels I have read where the ending is happy. This was a light, relatively easy read, that documented two brothers travels, evading Nazis and escaping situations in order to reunite with their parents. While the storyline itself was good, some of the situations were hard to believe and rather cliche.

I did receive this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An incredible story of two brothers and the brave people who risked everything to help the boys escape.

Set in France during the WWII, this story follows brothers Jacob and Moses as they fight for their survival and a chance to reunite with their playwright parents. I loved how this book tells of the many men and women who sacrificed everything to stand up to oppression and help the children on their way.

This book is rich in history, well researched it brings the dangers, betrayals, and sacrifices to life. This is an inspiring tale, compelling, yet at times it lagged in pace, feeling more "tell" than "show," and it felt very episodic.

Overall, it's a book that I am glad to have read. There is much to admire and appreciate about this story of brotherly love, survival, and the kindness of strangers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mario Escobar brings us the tale of Jacob and Moses, 2 Jewish boys trying to find and reconnect with their parents during the WWII era. Right off the bat I'm going to say that this story feels more to me like a young adult or even children's novel, despite it being advertised as Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction. I'm not saying this because 2 children are our main characters, no... I have read many, many historical fiction novels taking place during this time period, and I find myself setting this one apart. I even looked it up on Goodreads to see if it was sub-categorized as Middle Grade or Children's. But alas - this really IS a WWII Historical Fiction novel... for Adults.

I don't agree with that decision... Its a book that has a lot of happy ever afters and coincidences that simply aren't realistic. I know there were a lot of people that helped Jews in secret during this time, but those people got caught more often than not. For example, an officer finds a backpack full of food and maps in an old lady's apt where she lives alone, yet they're not going to search her home? REALLY!??

And the dialogue! No 12yr old boy in a constant high stress situation is saying/thinking these philosophical questions and statements. I felt like some scenes had the dialogue move the story forward, instead of the plot. People, especially children, don't talk and describe what they're doing as they do it. A lot of inner dialogue could have been turned into part of the storytelling.

My verdict is that no violence or bad language, and Superman's swooping in left and right makes this Hitler-era novel a PG version among it's many, many companions in the same category of ebooks. And the fact that they make it to Argentina in the end SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT A SURPRISE!! Let the reader discover the characters' fate on their own! Putting it in actual Book Blurb ruins it. Its a spoiler nobody asked for.

A solid 3 stars from me... The kids will enjoy this one for sure 🙂

“Innocence can only be lost once.” ~ Mario Escobar, Children of the Stars

Too often, authors write novels highlighting World War II's horrible events, but very few spend time creating a story based on the brave citizens who defied the law to save countless lives. We read about people’s grueling survival or perilous journeys through war zones, immersing ourselves into a world of dirt and darkness, but what about the light and hope that remained within so many? Children of the Stars brings both of these themes to life in this phenomenal narrative of two brothers as they trek across war-torn France to be reunited with their parents.

Jacob and Moses have only known the streets of Paris. Though persecution against the Jewish people grows every day, the brothers do not understand the reality of the German’s hatred until they narrowly escape death in the Velodromo de Invierno. No longer safe in the city they’ve called home and with no one to look after them, Jacob and Moses determinedly embark on a venture that will take them further than they imagined. From city to city, they will meet an array of people, learning who to trust and how to survive on their own. With each terrifying day, Jacob and Moses will also grapple with their childhoods, wanting to keep hold of youth's innocence while struggling to be treated as more.

Children of the Stars was a fantastic novel. Gripping from the moment I opened the first page, I was remarkably surprised by this story. Though I have read many historical fiction novels based on World War II, Children of the Stars produced a new look at the war and restored my hope in humanity. It only takes one spark to light a fire, and while so many lost their fight during the war, others held onto the light to keep pushing through. Jacob and Moses’ journey will inspire readers to find the good in others and always fight for what is right, no matter the cost.

Inspired by true events, it was amazing to learn about the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. One of my favorite quotes from the book was, “From the green valleys of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, where a village of men and women set their faces against the horror and showed that, armed with the Spirit, the noblest hearts are always capable of overcoming and that the shadows of evil will finally be dispelled until light invades everything once more — for a new generation to believe it can change the world, or at least try.” Throughout the book, Mario Escobar perfectly explained the power of faith and determination. His writing was relatable, allowing us to connect with the characters emotionally and spiritually. To know that some of these events were true made the story all the more profound. Children of the Stars was a book I will not soon forget.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book. The words and opinions shared in this review are completely my own.

I have read a lot of books this year, but this takes the cake as the best. It is so beautifully written and heartbreaking. The book is just perfection. Cudos to the author. the author took us there. Made us feel it all. The book was extraordinary. A keeper for my bookshelf that I will read often. I will never forget this book.
#ChildrenOfTheStars #NetGalley

This book was written very well and shows the true struggles of children during this time in history. I felt like I was next to those children as they found their way!

This ARC was given to me by the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was a well written and thoughtful account from a child's perspective of the holocaust. I appreciated the care and research that went into the book and liked the relationship between the young boys. It was heartbreaking and sad but also so beautiful a story. I would read it again and recommend it.

Though fictional this book is actually based upon factual historical events happening in the character's lives.
Jacob and Moses are brothers and the children of famous well-known German playwrights.
Sent by their parents for their safety into their aunts care the children are taken captive by a roundup and arrested before they are able to escape and reunite with their parents.
The French gendarmes, under direct Nazi order take the boys to Vélodrome d’Hive, a structure in Paris where thousands of France’s Jews are being forcibly detained.
Knowing they must escape and fearing for their lives, knowing if they don't they may never see their parents again the story follows the harrowing trek the boys make trying to find their parents when they have very little to go on besides a set of letters sent from the South of France.
These brothers have only each other to rely on as they face the grim reality of not knowing who they can trust and who will turn them in .
Faced with hunger,desperation,fear and uncertainty is it really feasible to continue this journey to find their parents? You will meet the people who go out of their way putting their own lives in danger to help these young brothers, some paying the ultimate price.
Though tragic the human spirit shines through the darkness as we come into the light of human goodness once again.
Highly recommended for historical fiction loves who enjoy learning something from what they are reading.

Pub Date 25 Feb 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I have seen several reviews of this book mentioning that there is content I do not like so I will not be reviewing "Children of the Stars" as I don't want to read the content.

I really enjoy WWII historical fiction especially when it's based on true events as, "Children of the Stars" is. While the language the children used seemed a bit beyond their age philosophically, I didn't find this distracted from the book overall. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

What an absolutely amazing story!

Jacob and Moses have a story that will keep you gripped to the book from start to finish! They had such amazing strength and determination to survive throughout this story. It was a historical fiction that I won't forget for a long time.

I would recommend this heartwarming, yet harrowing story for readers that enjoy historical fiction set in WWII. If you enjoy stories of escape and survival, this one is for you!

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.