The Star That Always Stays (A Book Review!)
Hey everyone! This past week has been filled with many special book releases… one of those being Anna Rose Johnson’s The Star That Always Stays. I had the wonderful opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book, and I can’t wait to review it today!
About the book:
When bright and spirited Norvia moves from the country to the city, she has to live by one new rule: Never let anyone know you’re Ojibwe.
Growing up on Beaver Island, Grand-père told Norvia stories–stories about her ancestor Migizi, about Biboonke-o-nini the Wintermaker, about the Crane Clan and the Reindeer Clan. He sang her songs in the old language, and her grandmothers taught her to make story quilts and maple candy. On the island, Norvia was proud of her Ojibwe heritage.
Things are different in the city. Here, Norvia’s mother forces her to pretend she’s not Native at all–even to Mr. Ward, Ma’s new husband, and to Vernon, Norvia’s irritating new stepbrother. In fact, there are a lot of changes in the city: ten-cent movies, gleaming soda shops, speedy automobiles, ninth grade. It’s dizzying for a girl who grew up on the forested shores of Lake Michigan.
Despite the move, the upheaval, and the looming threat of world war, Norvia and her siblings–all five of them–are determined to make 1914 their best year ever. Norvia is certain that her future–both professionally and socially–depends upon it… and upon her discretion.
But how can she have the best year ever if she has to hide who she truly is?
Sensitive, enthralling, and classic in sensibility (perfect for Anne of Green Gables fans), this tender coming-of-age story about an introspective and brilliant Native American heroine thoughtfully addresses serious issues like assimilation, racism, and divorce, as well as everygirl problems like first crushes, making friends, fitting in, and the joys and pains of a blended family. Often funny, often heartbreaking, The Star That Always Stays is a fresh and vivid story directly inspired by Anna Rose Johnson’s family history.
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First of all, the cover for The Star That Always Stays is AMAZING. It’s so pretty, and I’ve spent probably a little too much time gazing at my copy and the gorgeous cover on it.
The story inside, though, is even prettier. With beautiful descriptions and prose, Anna Rose made me feel like I was standing right beside Norvia on Beaver Island or at North Star. I felt like I was reading a classic – it had timeless, yet easy to read prose that reminded me of Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie.
My favorite thing about this book is that it showcased a loving, supportive, and realistic family.
So many books feature protagonists that don’t have a family. Or if there is a family, they aren’t loving or supportive. Or sometimes books will feature unrealistically perfect families. Families that never change, families that are perfectly whole, siblings that never fight or bicker. The truth is, that’s not real life.
The Star That Always Stays features Norvia’s kind and loving siblings, parents, and grandparents as they grapple with new changes. It’s easy to see that they love each other, but the family also has their own challenges and faults.
The Star That Always Stays features one of my favorite fictional families. Norvia’s siblings were so much fun to read about too! By the end of the book, I felt like I’d gotten to know them almost as well as Noriva. Dicta was hilarious, and I loved Vernon’s piano playing. I wish I had gotten to know Elton, Casper, and Herman better, but it was still great to read about such awesome sibling relationships.
I also loved reading about Noriva’s friends – seriously, you will love the characters in this book! Kitty, Aylmer, and Louis were so funny, kind, and caring. The book did feature some light romance, but it was done with a mature, sweet tone rather than the more dramatic (and honestly sometimes unhealthy) typical YA romance.
This book was a little slow, but I wasn’t ever totally bored. The slowness allowed me to focus on smaller details. I felt like I was on a relaxing meander through a garden while reading it.
The Star That Always Stays will leave you thinking for a long time. This book had themes about dealing with change, taking charge of your life, and trusting in God. Those are ideas that are applicable to almost anybody in any stage of life.
This book would be so good to read aloud with the entire family. It’s simple and sweet – perfect for the younger siblings. And the deep themes this book explores will have older readers thinking long and hard.
With thought provoking themes, realistic characters, and the best fictional siblings ever, The Star That Always Stays is a perfect read for the entire family.
Find it on Amazon and Goodreads!
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I’m curious, have any of you read The Star That Always Stays? If so, who were your favorite characters? What themes did you take away from it?
Have a wonderful rest of your day!
-Hannah
