The Forest of Vanishing Stars

In 1922, two-year-old Inge is taken from her Berlin home by elderly seer Jerusza, who brings the child to the wilds of Eastern Europe, renames her Yona, and teaches her survival skills, as well as how to read and speak multiple languages. When Jerusza dies and World War II begins, Yona finds small groups of Jewish refugees in the woods. Skilled and educated but without wilderness experience, they are hiding from German soldiers. Yona knows that her skills are meant to help the refugees survive. Overwhelmed by the responsibility and experiencing a new sense of belonging, Yona struggles to find peace with her past before it can cost her the future. Small elements and details slowly build readers’ understanding of Jerusza and Yona’s relationship, then the pace quickens, and the relationships become more complex with the revelation of the refugees; it’s a subtle contrast with a strong payoff in increasing the tension. An author’s note provides historical background and suggests nonfiction titles to read.