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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

173 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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VERY GOOD BOOK

Review by hamaayan

I really liked this book because its flowing, easy to read, and interesting, but some parts are a little boring. Otherwise I really liked this book.

Jun 05, 2026 10:42 AM
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Great book!

Review by Chapterbooktime

This was a great book, you should really check it out. If you are younger you might not like it, but I loved it and I think you will too. I didn't think I would like it but I loved it! 👍👍👍🏆🥇 I'd give it a gazillion awards. Love, love, love it, you will too.

Jun 02, 2026 09:19 AM
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Best book ever

Review by Axolotlgirl55

This book was amazing! It is about 2 girls, Valentina and Oksana, and they are brought together by a tragic accident. They go on a journey to escape Pripyat, their home, and end up on an amazing journey through the Soviet Union! Farther back in time, Valentina's grandmother Rifka is escaping from the Nazis in Keiv, Ukraine, and ends up in Uzbekistan, andd meets her best friend!

Jun 01, 2026 11:15 PM
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The best ever

Review by Lightfurybaby

I loved it so much but it was so sad and it made me cry definitely recommend reading it.♥️♥️♥️♥️😢😢😢

May 04, 2026 08:48 PM
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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