What do you think?
Rate this book
Barrier Breakers
Hiding from the Nazis in Plain Sight: A Graphic Novel Biography of Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya
"Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya were two talented child musicians when Nazis invaded their city of Kharkiv, Ukraine during World War II. Along with their parents, the Jewish sisters were forced into a death march. They each eventually escaped individually and were reunited, but how would they survive the rest of the war? By hiding their true identities and becoming musical entertainment for German soldiers. Learn about their story of survival in this inspiring graphic novel"--
32 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2024
17 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Lukidis
45 books44 followersLydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth's Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books.
Lydia is very involved in the kidlit community. She volunteers as a judge on Rate your Story, co-hosts the annual Fall Writing Frenzy competition, and is an active member of SCBWI, CANSCAIP, 12 x 12, and The Authors Guild. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program.
Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.
Lydia is very involved in the kidlit community. She volunteers as a judge on Rate your Story, co-hosts the annual Fall Writing Frenzy competition, and is an active member of SCBWI, CANSCAIP, 12 x 12, and The Authors Guild. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program.
Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 4, 2024
Copy provided by the publisher
Even at a young age, Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya were reknowned pianists, playing for audiences as well as on the radio. When the Germans invaded Kharkiv in 1941, the family was captured and sent on a death march. Once at the camp, the father bribed a guard to look the other way while the girls ran away. Zhanna managed to stay with friends, always on the move. She was eventually reunited with Frina, and the two managed to stay safe by leaving Ukraine and eventually moving to the US. There, they continued their musical careers.
It was interesting that Zhanna's son was involved in the writing of this book, and believes that his mother and aunt may have been the only two Jewish survivors from Kharkiv. The notes about the rest of the women's lives, the bibliography, and the glossary round out this excellent short book.
Even at a young age, Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya were reknowned pianists, playing for audiences as well as on the radio. When the Germans invaded Kharkiv in 1941, the family was captured and sent on a death march. Once at the camp, the father bribed a guard to look the other way while the girls ran away. Zhanna managed to stay with friends, always on the move. She was eventually reunited with Frina, and the two managed to stay safe by leaving Ukraine and eventually moving to the US. There, they continued their musical careers.
It was interesting that Zhanna's son was involved in the writing of this book, and believes that his mother and aunt may have been the only two Jewish survivors from Kharkiv. The notes about the rest of the women's lives, the bibliography, and the glossary round out this excellent short book.
July 9, 2024
This is an interesting story about Russian Jewish sisters who avoided being placed in concentration camps by being adopted by non-Jews. These sisters had great talent as pianists, and they actually gave concerts for Nazi soldiers. They survived to the end of WW2 and then immigrated to the US.
I like this account, but the font size is too small.
I like this account, but the font size is too small.
May 15, 2024
In brief, these sisters were raised from birth in a Polish family that celebrated and surrounded themselves with classical music. Both sisters developed remarkable skill at the piano, playing individually and at the same keyboard.Their early talent and hard work made them locally famous and earned scholarships, impressing teachers and audiences.
When German troops invaded Poland in 1939 the family was rounded up to be taken to camps. First one, then later the other sister managed to escape the early transport marches. Initially, they were taken in and hidden by the family of a classmate. In their city they could have been easily recognized. With new names and false identities as non-Jews, they were helped to move to a remote orphanage. Their talent became obvious and they eventually were performing on stage under their new identities, often for audiences filled with uniformed Nazi soldiers. Entertaining them was infuriating, but also put them inconstant danger of being recognized. The later years of the war led to happy endings for their lives, despite the painful loss of their family and loved ones. Back matter reveals many helpful details and allow further questioning and researching.
I urge families, librarians, and teachers to check out this terrific account and use it to launch further discussions and studies. Readers will see their age-peers in situations that allow them to connect more fully with the historic facts of the Holocaust.
When German troops invaded Poland in 1939 the family was rounded up to be taken to camps. First one, then later the other sister managed to escape the early transport marches. Initially, they were taken in and hidden by the family of a classmate. In their city they could have been easily recognized. With new names and false identities as non-Jews, they were helped to move to a remote orphanage. Their talent became obvious and they eventually were performing on stage under their new identities, often for audiences filled with uniformed Nazi soldiers. Entertaining them was infuriating, but also put them inconstant danger of being recognized. The later years of the war led to happy endings for their lives, despite the painful loss of their family and loved ones. Back matter reveals many helpful details and allow further questioning and researching.
I urge families, librarians, and teachers to check out this terrific account and use it to launch further discussions and studies. Readers will see their age-peers in situations that allow them to connect more fully with the historic facts of the Holocaust.
February 26, 2024
I have read all the other books I know of about them first, and so this one felt not as good. I think I am just not the intended audience was part of it too. It felt very young, like it was missing pieces to me. While I still enjoyed it, it’s not one I see myself reading again.
May 6, 2024
Not many research texts available about Zhanna and Frina. Good for a basic overview. Lacks depth and connection.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews