Book Resume
for Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson and Selina Alko
Professional book information and credentials for Stars of the Night.
1 Professional Review
7 Book Awards
Selected for 1 State/Province List
See full Book Resume
on TeachingBooks
- Publisher's Weekly:
- Ages 7 - 11
- TeachingBooks:*
- Grades 1-8
- Cultural Experience:
- Jewish
- Genre:
- Nonfiction
- Picture Book
- Year Published:
- 2023
6 Subject Headings
The following 6 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Stars of the Night).
- Jewish children--Czech Republic--Juvenile literature
- Jewish refugees--Great Britain--Juvenile literature
- Kindertransports (Rescue operations)--Czech Republic--Juvenile literature
- Jewish children--Great Britain--Juvenile literature
- World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--Great Britain--Juvenile literature
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Czech Republic--Prague--Juvenile literature
1 Full Professional Review
The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.
Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).
From Publisher's Weekly
January 2, 2023
Stelson (A Bowl Full of Peace) employs a communal we to narrate this story of 669 primarily Jewish children of the Czech Kindertransport rescued by British humanitarian Nicholas Winton (1909â€"2015). The 1938 Pragueâ€"set opening evokes sensory memories of comfortable childhoods: a picnic, sweet honey cake, ice-skating, hot cocoa. But as refugees arrive and Nazi forces approach, parents start making "arrangements" with an unnamed man. Soon, the children are told that they're "taking a holiday to England," with heartrending goodbyes preceding the children's travels to English foster homes. Five decades later, a scrapbook is unearthed, revealing Winton as the man whose planning saved not only them, but also "our children, our grandchildren, and all their children to come." Impressionistic acrylic, collage, and pencil art by Alko (I Is for Immigrants) is embellished throughout with sparkling stars and round yellow orbsâ€"reminders of "the stars of the night and the sun of the day" that, the children's parents' say, are "the messenger of our thoughts and love," as well as, perhaps, of Winton's indomitable spirit. An afterword provides extensive historical detail. Ages 7â€"11. Author's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustrator's agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Feb.)â—
7 Book Awards & Distinctions
Stars of the Night was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.
-
ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025, Commended, 2024
Notable Books for a Global Society, 1996-2024, Selection, 2024
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2024, World History & Culture Selection, 2024
Orbis Pictus Award, 2000-2025, Commended, 2024
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024, Selection, 2023
National Jewish Book Awards, 1952-2023, Picture Book Finalist, 2023
SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024, Selection, 2023
1 Selection for State & Provincial Recommended Reading Lists
Stars of the Night was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.
United States Lists (1)
Primary Source Statement on Creating Stars of the Night
Caren Stelson on creating Stars of the Night:
This primary source recording with Caren Stelson was created to provide readers insights directly from the book's creator into the backstory and making of this book.
Listen to this recording on TeachingBooks
Citation: Stelson, Caren. "Meet-the-Author Recording | Stars of the Night." TeachingBooks, https://school.teachingbooks.net/bookResume/t/86776. Accessed 30 January, 2025.
Preview Digital Book
Explore Stars of the Night on Marketplace. Access requires OverDrive Marketplace login.
This Book Resume for Stars of the Night is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.
*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.
Retrieved from TeachingBooks on January 30, 2025. © 2001-2025 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.