book review: Hidden Yellow Stars

Five-star book review of Hidden Yellow Stars!

When I first heard that Rebecca Connolly was writing this book, I knew I had to read it! WWII historical fiction draws me in, and this book did not disappoint. I’m happy to share a book review of Hidden Yellow Stars.

Hidden Yellow Stars summary

In 1942 Belgium, schoolteacher Andrée Geulen refuses to stand by as the Nazis force Jewish citizens, including her young students, to wear the yellow Star of David. Though not Jewish herself, Andrée feels a deep, protective bond with the children in her classroom and is determined to do something to help. When she’s approached by Ida Sterno, a Jewish woman working with the underground Committee for the Defense of Jews, Andrée finds her chance to act. Ida and her fellow resistance members are risking everything to hide Jewish children from the Gestapo, and Andrée’s Aryan appearance makes her an ideal ally.

Taking the code name Claude Fournier, Andrée joins the secret network and begins helping move children from their homes into hiding places across the country. Each child represents a promise. A life she is determined to protect and, one day, to reunite with their family. Alongside Ida and a small circle of brave operatives, she works tirelessly to outsmart the occupying forces, all while danger grows closer. The Gestapo’s reach tightens, and the resistance faces betrayal from within, yet Andrée and Ida persist, guided by courage, compassion, and faith.

Inspired by real events, this powerful story honors two women who risked everything to save hundreds of Jewish children during one of history’s darkest chapters.

Hidden Yellow Stars is filled with heartfelt moments.

My thoughts on Andrée:

Empathy and quiet courage define Andrée’s heart. The sight of the yellow Star of David—once a sacred symbol of faith—being twisted into a mark of shame stirs something fierce within her. She refuses to accept the cruelty around her as normal or unchangeable. What others might see as helplessness, Andrée transforms into resolve. She may not know the full path ahead, but she cannot bear to stand idle while injustice reigns.

Her conviction runs deep: humanity is capable of both great evil and great good. She is determined to tip the balance toward the latter. Even as the cost grows heavy, Andrée chooses compassion over fear. She cries in secret, not from despair but from the weight of love for the children she shelters. For the families torn apart, and for a world she still believes can be redeemed.

Through it all, Andrée’s work becomes more than resistance; it is an act of faith in what humanity can be. The nights she spends protecting frightened children leave her forever changed. For Andrée, the true privilege is not in wishing for a better world but in helping to build it, one small act of courage at a time.

My thoughts on Ida:

Ida’s compassion and sense of justice are the guiding forces of her life. She is both surprised and heartened to discover others who share her commitment to protecting the vulnerable, showing that even in the darkest times, there are hearts willing to act for what is right. Her dedication is not abstract; it is rooted in empathy and a refusal to accept oppression as inevitable. She moves through danger with purpose, quietly determined to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Her courage also opens the door to unexpected connections. Despite differences in background and faith, Ida forms deep bonds with others who share her mission. Friendships built not on convenience, but on a shared commitment to goodness and justice. She believes in a humanity that can rise above propaganda and prejudice, a humanity capable of daring, selfless acts. In Ida’s world, true courage is measured by love in action. Her unwavering commitment to the children she protects is a testament to the power of a compassionate heart in the face of injustice.

The characters challenge me.

Would I have the courage to risk everything in the face of such injustice? See ways to rise above such evil? Find the strength to do something? Would my heart cry out for justice and ache for it?

A must read!

Don’t miss the notes at the end of the book. You’ll discover extra information, photographs, how they tracked the hidden children, and some great discussion questions. I had such a joy putting together this book review of Hidden Yellow Stars. I’d love to hear what you think!

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Fondly,

Crysti

updated October 2025