Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Every Soul a Star

Every Soul A Star Every Soul A Star by Wendy Mass

rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 1 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge
Book 1 of 25 for the Support Your Local Library Challenge


This middle grade fiction book is told in three voices--Ally, Bree and Jack. Ally lives at the Moon Shadow campground that her family has run for years. Bree is the popular girl at school who cares about fashion and friends and tries to distance herself from her scientist parents as much as possible. Jack is an overweight loner who loves art and fantasy and is headed to summer school for failing science.

In one summer, these three 8th graders are brought together for a very special event: A total solar eclipse.

Over just a couple of weeks Ally, Bree and Jack learn a lot about themselves and the world. Each one is forced out of their comfort zones as they face up to change and responsibility. The truths of the book are universal though for any age and really hit me hard because of some things going on in my own life right now. I promptly burst into tears when I finished this book causing my husband to exclaim: What a terrible book! But, in actuality, it's a great book and one I definitely recommend.

Also reviewed by:
Oh, and this book totally made me want to see a total solar eclipse someday. Here's the info from NASA on the next one:
On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun is visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. After leaving mainland Asia, the path crosses Japan's Ryukyu Islands and curves southeast through the Pacific Ocean where the maximum duration of totality reaches 6 min 39 s. A partial eclipse is seen within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbral shadow, which includes most of eastern Asia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Ocean.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to make it!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think men don't understand that there's nothing like a good cry sometimes. The book sounds great.

Tricia said...

I know. I've tried explaining it but even after 11 years of being together, he still hates it when I cry.

Chantele Sedgwick said...

This sounds great! I'll have to put it on my huge TBR list!;) My hubby hates it when I cry as well! I cry more in movies, but books are starting to get to me now. I guess I am getting older and more "sigh" emotional....

Melissa said...

OH, so glad you liked it. It was really one of my favorites... and (sorry to your husband), I'm glad it made you cry. Then I'm not alone. :) It totally made me want to see a solar eclipse, too... I think the next one to hit the states is in 2017 or something like that. I might be able to make that one.

Corinne said...

It's going on my list!

Tasha said...

I've been curious about this book. Now that I've read your review, I'm going to add it to my list.

Anonymous said...

Well, it I'd waited just a little bit longer, I'd have seen you knew about linking your reviews.

Sorry about that. Guess today I need that extra cup of coffee...lol!