Stella by Starlight
Written by Sharon M. Draper
Narrated by Heather Alicia Simms
4/5
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About this audiobook
Sharon M. Draper presents “storytelling at its finest” (School Library Journal, starred review) in this New York Times bestselling Depression-era novel about a young girl who must learn to be brave in the face of violent prejudice when the Ku Klux Klan reappears in her segregated southern town.
Stella lives in the segregated South—in Bumblebee, North Carolina, to be exact about it. Some stores she can go into. Some stores she can’t. Some folks are right pleasant. Others are a lot less so. To Stella, it sort of evens out, and heck, the Klan hasn’t bothered them for years. But one late night, later than she should ever be up, much less wandering around outside, Stella and her little brother see something they’re never supposed to see, something that is the first flicker of change to come, unwelcome change by any stretch of the imagination. As Stella’s community—her world—is upended, she decides to fight fire with fire. And she learns that ashes don’t necessarily signify an end.
Sharon M. Draper
Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author for Out of My Mind, Blended, and Out of My Heart. She’s also won Coretta Scott King Awards for Copper Sun and Forged by Fire and multiple honors. She’s also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Sharon taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.
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Reviews for Stella by Starlight
203 ratings21 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be an interesting and historically accurate story that showcases a lost community value system. The characters are well-developed and the reader brings the story to life. The book explores themes of faith, determination, dignity, love, and humor within the black community. It also educates young readers about issues of race and encourages conversations about being an ally to people of color. The fast-paced and well-written narrative keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Read with my 11 year old white son. He loved becoming informed. While we’ve eased into issues of race, before this book he didn’t know about the KKK. Draper presenter the story in such a way that was accessible to his tender heart and allowed us to have many conversations about what it means to be an ally to POC.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was an interesting story, historically accurate, and showcased a community value system that has been largely lost in our society today. I loved the reader. She made the story come alive.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stella, her family and the rest of the characters transported me back to Jim Crow Times with its ever present fears and real dangers. The faith, determination, dignity, love, and humor within the black community made life bearable.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Draper is a wonderful author, and this book does not disappoint. Engaging historical fiction inspired by her grandmother’s diaries, beautifully written without being too sentimental.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Here's a review by my 9 year old daughter:
It was interesting. learning about people and to see that some people where kind but some like the white doctor wasn't the best. Even if he wasn't very nice, his daughter Was kind. I would like to hear more drama about the clan but it was still a good book. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Such a fast paced and interesting read. It dealt with many touchy subjects and really helped open my eyes. Very well written, witty and emotional.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Twelve-year-old Stella Mills and her family live in Bumblebee, North Carolina. It's the Depression in 1930, and the Ku Klux Klan has a meeting she and her younger brother see one night near their home. The Black community of Bumblebee deals with that fear while Stella goes about her life, going to school, struggling with writing, and coming together with love when hardship happens.The story is pretty episodic, in a way that I haven't read in a kid's book in awhile but reminded me of the pacing of a lot of books I would read as a child. It's much more about Stella's internal growth and coming of age than it is about one plot thread holding together. And Draper doesn't shy away from showing the racism and tensions Stella and her family deal with on a regular basis, from when Stella's father registers to vote to when an act by the Klan rocks her community. And yet, it's done with nuance and a light touch: there are white people who treat the Black community with respect and compassion as well.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Powerful story, set in North Carolina in the 1930s. Full of terrible events, but also the shining strength of a community that perseveres despite cruelty and oppression. Inspiring.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Children's middlegrade fiction (historical fiction, 1932 American South/KKK). This is gentler than other stories dealing with the KKK in that not much happens except a lot of unequal treatment, intimidation, and home burning--a young teen boy does get beat up toward the end. There are some bits with really masterful storytelling, in which the characters and setting come to life vividly, and then there are bits of fluff in between that sort of plod the story along. I have much respect for Sharon Draper, and though I've not read anything else by her, I suspect this is not her best work. It's not at all bad, but I think she can do better.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good book to read during election year. Put into the hands of fans of historical fiction and Christopher Paul Curtis.
Heather Alicia Simms was a terrific reader. - Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I didn't finish this. It just is not compelling in any way; not in character nor in plot nor in writing. I've enjoyed some of Sharon Draper's other books, but this one just isn't up to par.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stella is character all kids can relate to. She has trouble in school, she dislikes doing chores, and she is trying to find her identity. She also witnessed activities by the KKK while out walking at night. Stella's family and the other African-American families in town are alarmed that the Klan is resuming activities and struggle to keep their children safe. While not as gut-wrenching as Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, this book also illuminates many of the problems of the Jim Crow South. What stands out is the humanity of the characters as Draper avoids easy stereotypes. Stories as a cultural touchstone is a primary theme and adds both humor and emotional depth.In particular, the teacher's retelling of a "Flying African" folktale is exquisitely touching. The power of words is also shown as Stella struggles to put her thoughts on paper with a typewriter given to her by a neighbor. This needs to be shared with families and classrooms and provides many jumping off points for discussions on racism, voting rights, and community values. It might be interesting to pair the "Flying African" passage with the picture book Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Newbery 2016 no
Stella and her brother are sneaking around in the woods near their house in Bumblee, North Carolina one night, and see the Klu Klux Klan burning a cross. They know how serious this is, and run right home to tell their parents, who are scared and angry at the children for putting themselves in danger. The community is aware that African Americans in the south in the 1930s are supposed to keep to their "place", but they also know that things are changing. Stella questions why the school for white children is so much better; she struggles with her writing, but works very hard in school, and starts her own newspaper when she is given a typewriter, although she never shares her writings. Stella's father and several other local men decide to register to vote-- they jump through all of the unnecessary hoops that the white men set for them, and manage to go vote, even though the reaction of the Klu Klux Klan is to burn down the house of one of the men, displacing his large family. The community, including some white families, rally to help.
I thought the book got off to aslow start, then escalated, and fell once again at the end? - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book would be great for a historical fiction or diversity unit. I love the character of Stella; she is truly lovable and her modest bravery is so admirable. I also liked the inclusion of Stella's writings and that, with practice, her improvement is evident in her writings. In many ways, Stella is inspirational and her tale shows the ugly hate of the segregated south and the community values that it generated.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Narrated by Heather Alicia Simms. Simms' performance, using a Southern accent and varying pitches for different ages and genders, warmly reflects the tight-knit sense of community among the black families of Bumblebee, NC, as well as their emotional ups and downs. In particular, her Stella is sweetly earnest but keenly aware of the injustices they face.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This story follows Stella as her family as the Klan emerges in her town around the time FDR is running for his first term as president. Stella's dad decides to register to vote. The book explores the black community and the ways members come together during times of adversity. A quick read. Stella is a compelling, strong character. There is a device where she struggles as a writer and her works are peppered at the end of each chapter. I don't know how much that worked for me, but as a whole I found this quick read to be engaging.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is set in the segregated south in the town of Bumblebee North Carolina. I believe that the historical setting was faithfully portrayed. The book talks very vividly about the schools being segregated, how they are treated, fear of the KKK and issues surrounding the right to vote. The book is very political. Equal rights is a political issue, all people having the same freedoms and access to equal jobs, pay, doctors, education, voting rights. All are things discussed in this book.The dialogue did seem suited to the time period, I love the interactions between Stella’s neighborhood and the travelling salesman named Spoonman. During the neighborhood gathering/potluck Stella’s mom pulls together in a fashion reminiscent of Stone soup, everyone brings what they have and the stories they tell are rich in culture and history. I also felt that the late night discussions about what it meant to all of their families that the KKK was becoming a presence in the community again.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Eleven-year-old Stella confronts racism in her small Jim Crow-era North Carolina town. Good story but I've read stronger for this age group addressing the same subjects and themes. As with other Draper novels, there's too much reliance on coincidences, contrivances, and a tidy ending.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The story is set in the 1930's era depression. Told from the perspective of a young girl who saw a KKK cross burning, the primary theme is racism and the pervasive evilness. Stella's father, the minister of the community and another man make a statement regarding the difficulty of black adults voting. A high price is paid for this heroic action.There are hero's and villlian's; there is beauty and ugliness. The characters are well developed and this is a good book for young children to read who are not aware of the ugliness of racism in the south and how terrible it was for black children and adults to experience the sheer ugliness of stupidity.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In light of recent news headlines this should be required reading for all students in grades 4-6!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5STELLA BY STARLIGHT by Sharon M. Draper provides a realistic portrayal of life in the segregated South during the Great Depression. The author skillfully conveys the reality of life in a world where people are treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. From a random beating to a house burning, the scenes that demonstrate the terror instilled by members of the KKK are chilling. Through her use of age-appropriate examples, Draper is able to create convincing scenarios that convey both the injustice as well as the courage needed to survive in this period of intolerance and fear.Many readers will empathized with Stella’s desire to be a writer as well as her difficulty in translating her thoughts into words on paper. Her use of the donated typewriter to write news article may inspire some budding authors.Aimed at the middle grades, this outstanding work of historical fiction should be added to your school library’s growing collection of quality works dealing with African American life in the 20th century.Like the works of Christopher Paul Curtis and Jacqueline Woodson, Draper is able to draw on both African American culture as well as universal human themes. This combination makes it a great book for literature circles, social studies, and language arts activities.The year is just beginning, but put STELLA BY STARLIGHT on your Coretta Scott King Book Award short-list for 2015.(Edelweiss ARC)