Children of the Stars
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Narrated by:
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Zach Hoffman
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By:
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Mario Escobar
About this listen
From international best-selling author Mario Escobar comes a story of escape, sacrifice, and hope amid the perils of the Second World War.
August 1942. Jacob and Moses Stein, two young Jewish brothers, are staying with their aunt in Paris amid the Nazi occupation. The boys’ parents, well-known German playwrights, have left the brothers in their aunt’s care until they can find safe harbor for their family. But before the Steins can reunite, a great and terrifying roundup occurs. The French gendarmes, under Nazi order, arrest the boys and take them to the Vélodrome d’Hiver - a massive, bleak structure in Paris where thousands of France’s Jews are being forcibly detained.
Jacob and Moses know they must flee in order to survive, but they only have a set of letters sent from the South of France to guide them to their parents. Danger lurks around every corner as the boys, with nothing but each other, trek across the occupied country. Along their remarkable journey, they meet strangers and brave souls who put themselves at risk to protect the children - some of whom pay the ultimate price for helping these young refugees of war.
This inspiring novel, now available for the first time in English, demonstrates the power of family and the endurance of the human spirit - even through the darkest moments of human history.
- World War II historical fiction inspired by true events
- Book length: 94,000 words
- Includes a historical timeline and notes from the author
“A poignant telling of the tragedies of war and the sacrificing kindness of others seen through the innocent eyes of children.” (J’nell Ciesielski, best-selling author of The Socialite and Beauty Among Ruins)
©2020 Mario Escobar (P)2020 Thomas NelsonListeners also enjoyed...
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By: Hazel Gaynor
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The Child of Auschwitz
- Absolutely Heartbreaking World War 2 Historical Fiction
- By: Lily Graham
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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It is 1942 and Eva Adami has boarded a train to Auschwitz. Barely able to breathe due to the press of bodies and exhausted from standing up for two days, she can think only of her longed-for reunion with her husband Michal, who was sent there six months earlier. But when Eva arrives at Auschwitz, there is no sign of Michal and the stark reality of the camp comes crashing down upon her. As she lies heartbroken and shivering on a thin mattress, her head shaved by rough hands, she hears a whisper. Her bunkmate, Sofie, is reaching out her hand....
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Beautiful! 10x better than Cilka’s Journey& that was Amazing
- By DeRoseBreathe on 03-15-20
By: Lily Graham
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Mercy House
- A Novel
- By: Alena Dillon
- Narrated by: Dawn Harvey, Catherine Ho, Scarlette Hayes, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Inside a century-old row house in Brooklyn, renegade Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns preside over a safe haven for the abused and abandoned. Gruff and indomitable on the surface, warm and wry underneath, little daunts Evelyn, until she receives word that Mercy House will be investigated by Bishop Hawkins, a man with whom she shares a dark history. In order to protect everything they’ve built, the nuns must conceal many of their methods, which are forbidden by the Catholic Church.
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Good story but trigger warning
- By Lynne H. Mock on 05-18-20
By: Alena Dillon
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The Teacher of Warsaw
- A WWII Novel
- By: Mario Escobar
- Narrated by: Zach Hoffman
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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September 1, 1939: Sixty-year-old Janusz Korczak and the students and teachers at his Dom Sierot Jewish orphanage are outside enjoying a beautiful day in Warsaw. Hours later, their lives are altered forever when the Nazis invade. Suddenly treated as an outcast in his own city, Janusz--a respected leader known for his heroism and teaching--is determined to do whatever it takes to protect the children from the horrors to come.
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Great story and narrator
- By Brad Zerkel on 12-18-22
By: Mario Escobar
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The Queen's Secret
- A Novel of England's World War II Queen
- By: Karen Harper
- Narrated by: Bianca Amato
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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In this riveting novel of royal secrets and intrigue, Karen Harper lifts the veil on one of the world’s most fascinating families and how its “secret weapon” of a matriarch maneuvered her way through one of the most dangerous chapters of the century.
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It doesn’t deserve a review.
- By Kevin Graves on 02-05-21
By: Karen Harper
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The Socialite
- A Novel of World War II
- By: J'nell Ciesielski
- Narrated by: Daisy Parsons
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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As the daughter of Sir Alfred Whitford, Kat has a certain set of responsibilities. Chasing her wayward sister, Ellie, to Nazi-occupied Paris was never supposed to be one of them. Now accustomed to the luxurious lifestyle that her Nazi boyfriend provides, Ellie has no intention of going back to the shackled life their parents dictate - but Kat will stop at nothing to bring her sister home.
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Good
- By Laura on 05-13-21
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Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters
- A Novel
- By: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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In May 1875, Elizabeth Todd Edwards reels from news that her younger sister Mary, former first lady and widow of President Abraham Lincoln, has attempted suicide. Mary’s shocking act followed legal proceedings arranged by her eldest and only surviving son that declared her legally insane. Although they have long been estranged, Elizabeth knows Mary’s tenuous mental health has deteriorated through decades of trauma and loss. Yet is her suicide attempt truly the impulse of a deranged mind, or the desperate act of a sane woman terrified to be committed to an asylum?
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So So story
- By Carollees8 on 06-16-20
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Resistance Women
- A Novel
- By: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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From the New York Times best-selling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American - Mildred Fish Harnack - and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin.
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One of THE best historical fiction WW2 books!
- By JeanAnn Trombley on 06-04-19
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Auschwitz Lullaby
- By: Mario Escobar
- Narrated by: Hayley Cresswell
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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On an otherwise ordinary morning in 1943, Helene Hannemann is preparing her five children for the day when the German police arrive at her home. Helene's worst fears come true when the police, under strict orders from the SS, demand that her children and husband, all of Romani heritage, be taken into custody. Though Helene is German and safe from the forces invading her home, she refuses to leave her family - sealing her fate in a way she never could have imagined.
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good story bad delivery
- By Chelsey on 01-22-19
By: Mario Escobar
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The Gold in These Hills
- By: Joanne Bischof
- Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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1902: Upon arriving in Kenworthy, California, mail-order bride Juniper Cohen is met by the pounding of the gold mine, an untamable landscape, and her greatest surprise of all: the kind and charming man who awaits her. But when the mine proves empty of profit, and when Juniper’s husband, John, vanishes, Juniper is left to fend for herself and her young daughter in the dying town that is now her home.
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Breathtaking and Beautiful
- By Patiotoole on 09-23-21
By: Joanne Bischof
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Fast Girls
- A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team.
- By: Elise Hooper
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Kristyl Dawn Tift, Reba Buhr, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real-life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany. In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago’s Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first-ever women’s delegation in track and field. Destined for further glory, she returns home feted as America’s golden girl until a nearly fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything.
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Don't skip epilog
- By Zona Trahan on 03-23-21
By: Elise Hooper
What listeners say about Children of the Stars
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Alice C Boria
- 11-19-24
Eyes of a Child
It was interesting seeing the events in the eyes of the two boys. How they saw the holocaust is different than the adults. Thankfully they did not know the facts about the camps. They were certainly brave to make the trip to find their parents .
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- Faith
- 05-08-23
Good Performance, Story Okay
Performance was great. The story was exciting until the end.
SPOILER BELOW__<<
The parents are such b@st@rds that I don't feel as though they deserved the boys. They should've been the ones to search the world for the boys, not vice versa.
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- Donna Fields
- 07-08-24
Brotherhood at its best
I've read a couple of Escobar's books this summer and I'm now a huge fan. This story not only shows brotherhood at its best, but also shares that strangers can become like family thru their kindness in hard times.
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- Wendy Schoonmaker Jennings
- 05-22-23
An excellent read
This book is an excellent historical fiction novel about two French Jewish boys and their endeavors to reunite with their parents. In such a dark time in history, this story although fictional includes much historical fact. Well worth your time to read! Enjoy!
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- tima duncan
- 07-09-24
the importance of family
The interweaving of actual places and people to tell a story of great suffering and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.
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- Reid Harrison
- 06-11-24
Sacrifice for others
I appreciated the historical representation of the children and others who were cared for and assisted during these horrible circumstances. “Our life is not the sum of our expectations, it is the outcome of our decisions.” I appreciated hearing of others who made choices for the benefits of others amidst doubtful expectations. .
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- Cyn ND
- 08-08-24
Whew! Amazing Story!
I have (fortunately or unfortunately) a very vivid imagination. If an author grabs my attention and the characters touch my heart, I'm pretty well hooked for the duration. I loved this story and shed a bucket of tears. THEY DID NOT GIVE UP THEIR QUEST TO FIND THEIR BELOVED PARENTS! We must never give our quest for what is good! Not ever! I feel like I could use another book about Jacob and Moses as they reach manhood and begin their quest to better their world! I think they'll make their mark and we'll see a bit of an improvement, maybe? I hope and pray it is so.
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- Joan B
- 08-11-24
Perseverance
This book portrays the determination of those looking for peace and families during WW II. I have high regard for those who suffers through any war. The narration was well done.
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- Kenny Russell
- 09-01-21
Innocence can only be lost once
Too often, authors write novels highlighting World War II’s horrible events, while 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 Nazi-fueled 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 their youthly innocence while struggling to be treated as more.
"In one sense, childhood is an eternal present. The road traveled is just a few feet beyond the starting point, and the end goal seems so far away that it gives the false sense of eternity that the young always feel." ~ Mario Escobar
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 faith to push them 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.
"Most people value freedom and life, but for me, it’s all worthless without my family. Existing without them would be a kind of slavery. Suffering with them, I’ll be with them forever." ~ Mario Escobar
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, the author, Mario Escobar, perfectly explains the power of faith and determination; sparking a seed that the next generation can bring change and love into the world. His writing was relatable, allowing us to connect with the characters emotionally and spiritually, and knowledgable. 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 and recommend to any historical fiction lovers!
"The worst friend of the truth is silence. The worst lie in the world is that ordinary people are powerless against tyranny." ~ Mario Escobar
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5 people found this helpful
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- Rebecca Russell
- 12-23-23
Captivating
This book is awesome, captivating and spellbinding! It kept my attention from beginning to end. Well worth reading.
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