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!

OH this story and it's true characters! I am just overwhelmed by the love shown by these good women! Such an amazing amount of bravery that was shown by these sweet women who risked everything for beautiful Jewish children. I loved it!

Thank you Net Galley for this story, all opinions are my own!

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

304 Pages
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing, Shadow Mountain
Release Date: March 5, 2024

Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, World War II, Nazi, Jewish, Children, Belgium, 1940s

Andree Geulen was a young teacher trying to protect her Jewish students. She is saddened by the treatment of the Jewish children and wishes there was something she could do. Ida Sterno was a Jewish woman recruited by a longtime friend to work for a secret organization. Ida recruits Andree, who then goes by the code name Claude Fournier.

Their goal was to protect Jewish children by safely relocating them from their families. They risked their lives with every assignment. This story, although listed as historical fiction, is based on a true story of remarkable women doing amazing things during difficult times. The book is well written and very emotional. It will stay with you long after you finish the book. If you like historical fiction, or stories of underdogs, you should read this book.

This story is based on true events. What better way to fight the Nazis than to hide Jewish children. Many children were saved because they were the future generation.
But it was not without many broken hearted parents, dangers for workers hiding children, and stress for families taking in Jews.
After the war came a massive amount of work, trying to tracking down families fate.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

this was truly an amazing story and a beauytiful tribute to two brave, amazing women who sacrificed everything to save so many jewish chldren All opinions are my own and arent influenced by anyone else

Wow, what an important story. I loved the way Rebecca Connolly handled this sensitive subject. She was able to show us the horrors of this time in a tasteful way. I am amazed at the resilience of people, as well as disgusted by the depravity of others. Ida and Andree were part of such a noble work. I cannot imagine how hard it was for them to continue on day after day. But what a blessing they were to so many. I am so grateful the author chose to share their story and the amazing noble work they and others were involved in during this horrid time.

Heart wrenching, chilling, triumphant! Hidden Yellow Stars is based on the courageous true stories of two young woman willing to defy the Nazis to save Jewish children in Belgium during WWII. In my humble opinion, it’s one of Rebecca Connolly’s best, most awe inspiring works to date and a must read for historical fiction fans.

Belgium 1942

Andree Geulen’s a young school teacher who helps her Jewish students hide their yellow stars when she sees the hurt, cruelty, & disruption the stars cause in her classroom. She wants to make a difference & help these children she feels so protective of, but how?

Ida Sterno is a Jewish social worker helping the Committee for the Defense of Jews. She recruits Andree not only because of her passionate defense of her students, but because she’s the blonde haired, blue-eyed epitome of an Aryan woman whom the Germans won’t suspect. Both risk their lives as they & others work to smuggle Jewish children & babies to safety.

I was so incredibly touched & inspired by this story. Both women were so admirable. They each struggle with faith and making sense of the senseless. I appreciated their struggles and the profound impact the children had on them. I was also amazed at the complex, ingenious system they devised for keeping track of each child to not only protect their identity but help locate their loved ones when the war was over. I found myself on pins and needles so many times when Andree is with children and questioned by the Nazis. I was also angered by the mistreatment of the children by some of the convent & orphanage workers who agreed to take them in.

Each chapter begins with real Nazi propaganda and it was disturbing to see how they dehumanized the Jews especially to children. I was inspired by those who were willing to disregard the propaganda and risk everything to take in the children and love them. One particularly touching moment for me occurred when a young Jewish boy is accused by his foster family of stealing. He finally admits to Andree that he didn’t steal, but hid the nativity figures of Mary & Baby Jesus because he heard they were Jewish too.

Read with a box of Kleenex handy! This story truly inspired me and will definitely stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend this beautiful, compelling tribute to two brave, amazing women who deserve all the accolades & admiration. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

What an emotional read!
I felt all the emotions reading this story, made all the more heartbreaking knowing it is based on two real life heroines, Andree and Ida, who risked everything to try to save as many Jewish children as they could in Belgium during WWII. There is hope, strength, and so much love in this book. I was so shocked to learn of characters such as Fat Jacques - I have never been confronted with the reality of Jews hunting Jews before, so this was an eye-opener for me. I was on the edge of my seat as I read parts of this book; I felt the pain, the fear, the hatred. The excerpts from Nazi propaganda at the beginning of each chapter are a great addition - very enlightening for readers like me whose WWII historical fiction journey is relatively new.
While a difficult subject matter to read about, I was completely immersed in this book and found it hard to put down - it's going to stay with me for a long time It's an easy 5 stars from me, and I'll be looking for more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

As the horrors of war in Belgium, particularly for Jews, become clearer, Andrée, a teacher, wishes there was some way she could help Jewish children. When Ida, a secret Jew, is approached to help the CDJ help hide Jewish children, she agrees almost without a second thought, throwing herself into the task wholeheartedly. But separating parents from their children is a heart-breaking job, even when it is safer for both children and parents - and there are times when keeping going seems almost impossible, if it weren't that stopping is unthinkable. As danger closes around them, there are times when Andrée and Ida wonder whether they'll ever see the end of the war and the longed-for day when parents and children can be reunited...

This was an inspiring look at a side of WWII I've never heard of before - made all the more interesting by being based on a true story. I cannot imagine keeping going through all they endured, and the book is a monument to both the best and the worst of humanity. Happily, while it's far from an easy road, we do get some sort of happy ending (or I fear the book would be utterly depressing as well as inspiring). I also appreciated that, while there are some scenes of violence and torture, they're kept to a minimum and don't go into graphic detail. The resulting story is very readable, if a bit heavy at times due to the subject matter. It presents a fascinating snapshot of one small aspect of life in Brussels in the latter years of WWII, showing what the Jews faced and how some people intervened to care for their children, at the risk of their own lives. It's inspiring and well worth a read.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

A timely and heart wrenching true tale of two ladies thrown together during a time of strife and war. Ida and Andree have to do something. They can’t keep watching these Jewish children being taken and brought to camps and never seen from again. So they hide children around Belgium to keep them safe. They willingly put their lives in danger so that these little lives have a better chance at a full life.

It will tug at your heart and fill you with compassion and love for those around you. I got sucked into this story and was invested until the end. And even when I finished, I had to go do more research about these amazing humans that risked everything!

I really enjoyed reading "Under the Cover of Mercy" by this author, so I was excited to get a chance to read this book. I was not disappointed. It does move a little slowly in parts, but that's because it's real life, and real life isn't 24/7 action. I love reading about people like Andree (sorry, I don't know how to do the accents on my desktop keyboard. Pretend one is where it should be.) and Ida who risk everything to help innocent people. I hope that I would be as brave and determined as they were. As always, I appreciate the afterword that lets the reader know what happened to several of the main characters after the story ended.

This was a much anticipated read for me, not only because I enjoy reading historical fiction books about WWII, but also because just feom reading the expert I knew that the main characters would be ones that I could relate to. And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint.

Honestly, I was debating on whether to give this book a four-star review or a five-star review. It was very close. I ended up resorting to the four-star however due to minor grammatical errors. It was also a book that at times would be hard for me to follow, and was a slower read for me.

This book had me thinking, had me questioning, and of course had me in tears. I related to the characters, then later found out that they were real people, and only minor details were fiction throughout.

I highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more reviews and discussions, listen to my podcast The Honest Book Reviewers with Nate and Emma.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3H3ugH4xlzvjMXuUo1Lyvh?si=ewdzfkUnSVKyDmAvHMHIPQ

Stories about the heinous crimes that happened during World War II are always hard to read, and to fathom. But the fact that there were so many people willing to lay their lives on the line to help those that couldn’t help themselves is uplifting and faith building. I can’t imagine, what it would’ve been like had I lived during that time, and lived in the occupied territories, if you were any religion or nationality. I can only pray that I would be as selfless and strong as those heroes. This is a conflict that continues throughout our lives, and throughout the world even currently. I’m grateful for authors that research and write these stories for us, that we might fortify each other and strive to bring peace and civility to all people.. Imagine if Andree Geulen and Ida Sterno and the many others, hadn’t stepped up, many more thousands of children and families would’ve been destroyed. I am honored and privileged to have read an early copy of this book. I pray that it gets in to the hands of people that are searching for Hope and realize there are still good people in this world. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly is a breathtaking World War II novel based on real events which is what makes it even more poignant and emotive. I became so engrossed I lost all track of time and felt I was in another world, one simultaneously filled with hatred and love.

Belgian Jews suffered horrendous fates simply for existing. The bone-chilling chapter quotes gave me goosebumps as I contemplated the terror and anguish millions endured. But the kindness of others including Andrée who was not Jewish but strongly believed they were as valued as Aryans and Ida who was Jewish and part of the Resistance touched me deeply. Ida recruited Andrée and along with others ingeniously saved many children through tunnels, train rides and other methods. Though the children were re-named, the ladies taught them to remember who they were and how important they were. Tense moments occurred when children momentarily forgot their new identities. Layer upon layer of sorrow unravelled. Barbaric Fat Jacques and others betrayed and misled and daily life was merely surviving. One of the most precious moments to me was the caring distribution of aprons to the children.

I have read hundreds of lovely novels set during this era but this rates as one of the highest to me. The gorgeous writing and stellar characters found their way into my heart and haven't left. The atrocities of the Nazis are incomprehensible but the courage and bravery of many who saved lives at great risk to themselves are highly admirable.

Do be sure to read the author's notes for inspiration and context. The amount of thoughtful research is staggering! This book is important and special, an easy 5 star read.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this powerful novel.

ARC Review for Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

Genre: Historical Fiction; based on true story

Belgium, 1942. Two Women. One Cause. To hide Jewish children from Nazi raids.

Summary: The fictional, but true, account of two courageous, incredibly brave women full of integrity and valor sign on to help the CDJ, or the Committee for the Defense of Jews, to help in the children’s department. Told from the perspective of both women, each chapter goes back and forth between Ida Sterno and Andree Geulen. Andree is a young school teacher who defies the Nazis by helping children dispose of the yellow star on their jackets, symbolizing to the world that they are of Jewish descent. That is until she is recruited by the CDJ to help hide those Jewish children from the Nazis around Belgium.

Wow! What a beautifully written story of hope despite fear, light despite the darkness, and beauty and love among the ugliness of war and hate. This story has a powerful message of bravery, hope, courage, and doing what’s right no matter the cost. I really admire those 2 women and everyone who helped the Jewish people and minorities persecuted by the Nazi regime. Even some of the SS on night guard are to be commended for treating the prisoners with dignity and respect.
I really hope you will pick up this book and read it. It is a special story to the author who has Jewish heritage herself. And I am grateful I had the opportunity to be apart of launching this powerful book into the world. Be prepared with tissues, because this story does have bittersweet moments.

CW/TW: Children/parental separation, death, war, brutality and torture, one use of h***, no kissing or bedroom scenes

I was given a free ecopy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by real people and events this is a hard story but one worth reading. Andree Geulen was a schoolteacher in Belgium in 1942 and not Jewish. She is determined to help Jewish children forced to wear yellow stars during the Nazi occupation. She joins forces with Ida Sterno who is Jewish and works with a resistance group to hide Jewish children. She creates a system to keep track of each child, their names and where they are placed so they can be reunited with their families in the future.

The story is heartbreak and inspiring. I know so many perished during this time period and I am always in awe of people who took the risk to help and save who they could. I love that it isn’t just one person that helps but host families, a convent and more. I’ve sworn off WWII books for a while and I was glad I made the exception for this story. This is beautifully written. And I appreciate the author’s notes at the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

This book was heart wrenching and beautifully written. The writing portrayed both the best and worst of humanity all encompassed in one. It brought me to tears often with how much these poor people had to endure. The research that went into this book blows me away.

The story follows two women Ida Sterno and Andrée Geulen in Brussels during the Nazi invasion. These two brave women helped Jewish children escape and hide from the Nazi roundups.

These stories are important to be told because it shows that even in the darkest of time there are people who hearts are full of good.

One of my favorite quotes from this book- "They had not saved every Jewish child in Belgium , and they could not. They had no illusions of never losing a single Jewish child again. All they wanted to do was save the ones they could. As many as they could."