The Star That Always Stays
Books | Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / United States / Native American
5
Anna Rose Johnson
When bright and spirited Norvia moves from the country to the city, she has to live by one new rule: Never let anyone know you’re Ojibwe.Growing up on Beaver Island, Grand-père told Norvia stories—stories about her ancestor Migizi, about Biboonke-o-nini the Wintermaker, about the Crane Clan and the Reindeer Clan. He sang her songs in the old language, and her grandmothers taught her to make story quilts and maple candy. On the island, Norvia was proud of her Ojibwe heritage. Things are different in the city. Here, Norvia’s mother forces her to pretend she’s not Native at all—even to Mr. Ward, Ma’s new husband, and to Vernon, Norvia’s irritating new stepbrother. In fact, there are a lot of changes in the city: ten-cent movies, gleaming soda shops, speedy automobiles, ninth grade. It’s dizzying for a girl who grew up on the forested shores of Lake Michigan.Despite the move, the upheaval, and the looming threat of world war, Norvia and her siblings—all five of them—are determined to make 1914 their best year ever. Norvia is certain that her future depends upon it... and upon her discretion. But how can she have the best year ever if she has to hide who she truly is?Sensitive, enthralling, and classic in sensibility (perfect for Anne of Green Gables fans), this tender coming-of-age story about an introspective and brilliant Native American heroine thoughtfully addresses assimilation, racism, and divorce, as well as everygirl problems like first crushes, making friends, and the joys and pains of a blended family. Often funny, often heartbreaking, The Star That Always Stays is a fresh and vivid story directly inspired by Anna Rose Johnson’s family history.AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!A Parnassus Books Spark Club Pick! "INSPIRING."—Kirkus Reviews "A NEW CLASSIC."—Southern Bookseller Review "INTIMATE."—Publishers Weekly "BEAUTIFUL."—Booklist "UNPUTDOWNABLE."—Anne Bustard, author of Parents' Choice Book Award Winner Blue Skies "LOVINGLY WOVEN... PAIRS WELL WITH 'THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE.'"—Cynthia Leitich Smith, NYT-bestselling author of Ancestor Approved
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More Details:
Author
Anna Rose Johnson
Pages
288
Publisher
Holiday House
Published Date
2022-07-12
ISBN
0823450406 9780823450404
Community ReviewsSee all
"Where do I even start? This book... Just wow. I read this book while I was on a camping trip in Colorado, so maybe being outdoors added to the magic of it, or maybe it just always contained that. But I have to say I will never be able to read this book again without thinking of the mountains in Colorado and the fond memories from that camping trip.<br/> This book made me feel so many emotions. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. And it made me angry. Every time someone mistreated Norvia or something didn't go good for her I got so defensive. (I think I annoyed my boyfriend with the amount of ranting I did every time something happened. He hasn't even read the book but he now knows everything because the hours I spent talking about it)<br/>This book was like Anne of Green Gables meets The Witch of Blackbird Pond and I loved every second of it. The characters were so investing and sympathetic, the plot had me on the edge of my seat, the conversations were so well written, and the setting was so vivid and the prose was just beautiful. <br/> This book will forever hold a fond place in my heart and I will most definitely be recommending this book to everyone who asks, and when I have kids I will read it to them.<br/> I can't wait to see what else Anna Rose writes, because I will leave a section on my bookshelf for anything that she puts out.<br/> If you're wondering if you should pick this novel up or not, the answer is undeniably yes. You will not regret it."
Kira Rosengren
