Reviews

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition

5.0

Stella by Starlight is a slice of life story set in 1932. Slice of life is typically used to denote a happy go lucky or peaceful story, but that's the best way I can describe it.

You are getting a peek into what life was like for Black people in the 1930s. The fear, the doubt, the struggle, the pride, the perseverance, the integrity - it all combines to create a meaningful and bittersweet narrative of a group of people punished for circumstances outside of their control who refuse to let it hinder them forever. 

The center of the story is the fight for the right to vote. But voting is only the beginning; something the racist white institution understands all too well. And they have no problem flexing their power to ensure things stay the same. 

Stella comes to understand that surviving isn't enough. She has to work for what she wants if she ever expects to live. 

A great introduction and overview of an unfortunate period in the United States for a juvenile audience. There is heart, hope, and history on every page. 

bookish_harper's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

bookie936's review against another edition

5.0

excellent. used to teach Jim Crow era southern conditions

olivia_reads1904's review against another edition

3.0

In reading class we where doing a unit about segregation and the grades reading teacher out out 10 different books and we had to choose out top 3. This book was my first pick so because it was longest which meant I would get more points in a reading competition. For me a big reason I gave this book only 3 stars is because I am a big fan of closure. In books and reality. It stops me from being confused. It was a good book for an elementary school student. For me I need something for grown up I guess. This was my first book that I tabbed. I color coded it. It looks really good, but I just wish the colors matched the cover more. I can't wait to tab more books. It's really fun. The only pain will be having to re-read all my books on my bookshelf that I finished.

kathleenes's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This is my second book by Sharon M Draper, so far. And it is the second book that made my stomach flip and sink. It made me gasp and want to cry. But it also has sweet moments and moments I wanted to laugh out loud. It’s a tough read, but a great learning read too.

gmamartha's review against another edition

3.0

Black community life wary of the Klan brings out the best in Stella.

emily_m_green's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Eleven-year-old Stella lives in the segregated south and the novel opens with Stella viewing the KKK burning crosses. When Stella tells her parents, the African American community of the town holds a meeting to discuss their options—which are few. White people can still beat and kill African Americans without suffering any legal repercussions. Eventually, though, the preacher has some challenges the community is not sure they are strong enough to support. Will they be able to defend themselves? 

Stella by Starlight is by Sharon M. Draper, the same author as Out of My Mind, the summer read sixth graders. Stella by Starlight is one of the choice books for the African American book circles. It is a little longer than some of the other choices, but has shorter chapters. 

Stella is a character that makes the reader think: she is brave and hopeful, and also struggles with the writing in her school work. At night, she slips out to practice her writing, even though the is not easy for her. 

The book also highlights the indignities and some of the dangers of segregation. How one town can easily function as two and how the good people also have to work within the same restrictive system to do any good. 

There are some moments that feel unrealistic based on the adult things Stella is asked to do, but it seems that the choices were made to strengthen the plot. 

Would I teach this book? I am teaching this book and it has put into context some aspects of American history and helped the students to ask questions. 

misspippireads's review

4.0

Full audiobook review available at http://adolescentaudioadventures.blogspot.com/2016/04/review-stella-by-starlight.html

bickie's review against another edition

4.0

1932 rural North Carolina: KKK is actively intimidating a small but tightly knit Black neighborhood near the woods in Bumblebee, a suburb of Spindale with a saw mill. Stella is an 11-year-old Black girl who works hard at getting better at writing, usually by sneaking out to write in her journal at night. The examples in this book of the choices of people in the Black community, the white people sympathetic to the Black people, and the "mean white people" who sympathize or belong to the KKK all seem especially relevant now (early 2017). Don't fight hate with hate; remember what's important; make choices you are proud of. Best for ages 10-13.

gillilovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25