A review by octygon
The Map of Stars by Laura Ruby

4.0

I have really enjoyed these books, but I am not sure who their ideal audience is. I am over 50 years old. As a librarian and a mom, I have read my fair share of books written for middle graders—the supposed intended audience for the York series—but I am a far cry from a middle grader. These books are so far above the average middle grader book in so many ways, it’s hard to even compare them. I don’t mean that they are above them in quality—even though I do think they’re great. But the themes, the complexity of the writing, etc., are definitely more mature. I just don’t see your average 6th grader enjoying this series. Maybe if they read them together with their parents? But do they WANT to read books with their parents? I don’t think so. Maybe I am not being fair to your average 6th grader; after all, I was reading Agatha Christie’s and Watership Down in 6th grade. I don’t know.