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“A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others.”
 
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Stars of the Night:

The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport

Stars of the Night recounts the powerful true story of the 669 children who traveled as part of the Czech Kindertransport from Prague to Britain on the eve of World War II.

2023 • Ages 5-12

ISBN: 9781541598683

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Written by Caren Stelson

Illustrated by Selina Alko

Stars of the Night recounts the powerful true story of the 669 children who traveled as part of the Czech Kindertransport from Prague to Britain on the eve of World War II, as Hitler’s campaign of hatred toward Jews and political dissidents took hold. Told from the collective perspective of the children, the narrative follows their journey as they leave everything they’ve ever known in hopes of staying safe. After the war ends, they return to Prague only to find that nearly all of their parents have been killed by the Nazis. And more than fifty years pass before they learn the identity of the British man who was instrumental in saving their lives—Nicholas Winton.

Award-winning author
Caren Stelson

teams up with acclaimed illustrator ✦ ✦ Selina Alko✦

to sensitively tell this tale of

survival and defiance in the

face of tyranny.

Awards

2024
Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book 

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2024
Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year

2024
Notable Books for a Global Society List

2024
ALA Notable Children's Book

2024
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of the Year

2024
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Book List

2023
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

2023
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List

Honorable & Notable Mentions

2025

Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award Nominee

2024
Social Justice Literature Award Recommended Reading List 

2024-2025
Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

2023
CYBILS Award Finalist

2024
National Jewish Book Award Finalist 

Reviews

      “A necessary and inspirational book about a little-known light amid a dark period of history, this book should find a home in all libraries.”

— School Library Journal, starred review

      “Quiet but immediate. . . . The in-the-moment text combines with emotional acrylic, colored-pencil, and collage illustrations in Alko’s signature style to create a dreamlike atmosphere.”

—The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

      “A not-to-be-missed, inspirational book about courage, heart, and the necessity of caring for others.”

—Kirkus, starred review

​“Impressionistic acrylic, collage, and pencil art by Alko is embellished throughout with sparkling stars and round yellow orbs.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Both heartbreaking and hopeful.”

—Association of Jewish Libraries

“Balancing tragedy and hope, this story preserves the memory of Jewish children who found new lives despite and because of their irrevocable losses.”

—Jewish Book Council

© 2015 Selina Alko

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