Scan barcode
A review by mazza57
And The Stars Were Burning Brightly by Danielle Jawando
4.0
I received a copy of this book via netgalley and Simon and Schuster Childrens UK. First of all let me say this is definitely not my description of a children's books. Its themes are far too dark and deeply explored to be suitable for anyone under 13 (in my opinion). Goodreads has it as a young adult book and this sits better with how it reads for me. Even with these readers i think it is a book that should be read or discussed with an adult whilst reading.
The author has written a book that carries a message deeply personal to her and this is apparent in the beautifully scripted narrative. It has a multitude of thematic lines - not just bullying but also the emotions surrounding death such as guilt and despair. This is all wrapped up in something which is almost an homage to individual beauty and the meaning of individual lives. I loved the imagery of the stars.
Perhaps from personal knowledge she has captured the desire to conform, the horrors of the web used wrongly and the characterisation perfectly. This is a powerful novel and should form part of the literary oeuvre in senior schools.
The author has written a book that carries a message deeply personal to her and this is apparent in the beautifully scripted narrative. It has a multitude of thematic lines - not just bullying but also the emotions surrounding death such as guilt and despair. This is all wrapped up in something which is almost an homage to individual beauty and the meaning of individual lives. I loved the imagery of the stars.
Perhaps from personal knowledge she has captured the desire to conform, the horrors of the web used wrongly and the characterisation perfectly. This is a powerful novel and should form part of the literary oeuvre in senior schools.