The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson
MG. 224 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
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-pere 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.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
My Review:
Okay, first, I love the cover of this. It’s so comforting. And I the title drew me in cause I love stars XD
I’m not much of a slice of life reader and I’m kind of picky about my coming of age and/or contemporary reads. This one isn’t strictly contemporary, but nor would I truly consider it historical. It’s in that awkward in between phase where the setting isn’t quite as old, but nor is it present day any longer. Early 1900s wasn’t really so long ago. But this was such a beautiful and gentle little story with a big heart. It was truly a delight to read such a sweet story with an inspirational core. And there is something refreshing about pausing to breathe in a simpler time.
Anna Rose did a beautiful job with her research and really brought the setting and culture alive. In fact, she touches on multiple settings and cultures and weaves them together in one little girl who has to reconcile with the differences that blend together inside her much like her family has to learn to navigate new blended dynamics. Anna Rose does this with a delicate and practiced hand that shows her heart for deep struggles and meaningful topics. I really enjoyed seeing Norvia struggle with her love for her heritage and her desire to fit in and understand and please others. Her growth throughout the story is subtle, but it’s precious.
Speaking of the characters, I definitely bought into the family dynamics. I was invested in seeing how the characters would react to one another. And I must admit that I was enchanted especially by Uncle Virgil. It was such a sweet, tentative thing to watch the way he interacted with Norvia and her siblings. I could feel the tension radiating off the siblings, but also that delicate hope that Virgil proved faithful over and over again. His endless patience, generosity, gentleness, and genuine care really won me over. I also really enjoyed Vernon. I’d love to have gotten inside his head. But each interaction with him was precious and beautiful in its own right. Elton was someone I connected easily with and I would have love to see more of him, too. Kitty and Alymer and Louis all stole my heart. And the school dance was everything I’d hoped it would be!
The friendships, the fears, the hope, and the beauty permeate this story. It’s a nod to classic literature and a breathe of fresh air that offered a quivering hope to the little girl in me. A delightful new MG that I think many young readers will learn to love easily.
Postscript
Fun fact, Anna Rose is actually a student in the writing program I work with and for, the Author Conservatory. <3 I’m so proud of her and so encouraged by the amazing work she’s doing with this debut novel. She is publishing with a major publisher and she wove her Christian faith into the book in a natural, honest, and non-pushy way. The book could even be considered by people who determine awards like the Newberry award!
If you’re at all interested in supporting a young author with a heart for clean, wholesome, meaningful fiction, please consider requesting The Star That Always Stays from your local library. It’s a free way to support authors and it won’t take more than five minutes to do. (If you want help with this, comment below and let me know!)
And if you think you may be interested in reading the book yourself, you can pre-order this beautiful book here. Even if you don’t think the book would be a good fit for you, consider anyone you know who may enjoy it as a Christmas gift! (And if you choose to order multiple copies for some reason, please make separate orders rather than one order with many copies! That helps the publishers see that this is a book in high demand and that we want more fiction like this!)
If you choose to request the book at a library or to pre-order, please let me know in the comments below! <3 And thank you from both me and Anna Rose.