A review by emily_m_green
Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

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.