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Valentina and Oksana are fifth grade classmates, but they are definitely not friends. Then a nuclear disaster strikes their Chernobyl home and they discover that everything they’ve been taught is a lie…
Ages 11+
Pages 352
Publisher Penguin Random House
Last Offered Nov 2025
Awards
Sydney Taylor Silver Medal Winner
National Jewish Book Award Winner

Average Rating

169 Reviews

Featured Reviews

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I really loved this book!

Review by Aubrey

It’s about Valentina and Oksana, two girls who are enemies. After the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explodes, they are forced to move to Leningrad to stay with Valentina’s grandmother who is a stranger to both girls. Neither of them are happy about it, but the power of friendship eventually shines through. This book was so good! I couldn’t put it down. I loved how it switched perspectives from Valentina, Oksana, and Rifka from 1941. It was a perfect story of friendship!

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The Blackbird Girls

Video review by Gabi
The Blackbird Girls

Reader Reviews

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Good book

Review by StarlightGirl

I definitely recommend reading this book. I immediately realized I couldn’t put the book down, I needed to see how it ended. This book was a little bit sad though.

Apr 20, 2026 01:41 PM
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So good!

Review by EHelena

Almost made me cry!

Apr 11, 2026 04:33 PM
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❤️awesome

Review by violet_butterfly_16

The book was kind and interesting I felt like I was in it I thought that it shows for Oskana don’t let your parents treat you badly and don’t be afraid to take a stand also Valentina’s lesson should be you can always find a Friend in a person you never thought you would.

Apr 07, 2026 06:58 PM
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A Review For The Blackbird Girls

Review by Mangomonster

The Blackbird Girls is a very good book. Two enemies named Valentina and Oksana are brought together by a tragic event. Oksana ends up having to go with Valentina to Valentina's grandmother. The story was really sad and both girls faced hard challenges and dangerous events. They are living in a time where being Jewish and celebrating the Jewish holidays is very dangerous and could have you killed. But Valentina's grandmother still does it. This story is told in different perspectives. It is very exciting and the characters are very brave. I would strongly recommend you read it!

Apr 06, 2026 07:06 PM
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Awesome book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review by malteseah

This book was really sad 😢 but it was really worth reading because it showed the value of friendship and you should totally read it my review is 🤩

Mar 08, 2026 05:53 PM