Every Soul a Star facts for kids
Cover art
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| Author | Wendy Mass |
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| Language | English |
| Subject | solar eclipses, friendship |
| Genre | Realistic Fiction |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Co. |
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Publication date
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2008 |
| Pages | 336 |
| ISBN | 0316002569 |
| j813 | |
Every Soul a Star is an exciting novel written by Wendy Mass in 2008. It's a story for kids and young adults. The book tells the tale from the point of view of three different main characters.
You'll meet Jack, a shy 13-year-old who feels a bit insecure. Then there's Ally, who is almost 13 and loves space. She dreams of becoming an astronomer. Finally, there's Bree, who wants to be a famous model. All three meet up to watch a special event: a solar eclipse. As they experience this amazing moment, they learn what's truly important in life. They also become better people through their new friendships.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
Ally's World
Ally is almost 13 years old. She lives at a special place called The Moon Shadow campsite. Her parents teach her at home there. Her younger brother, Kenny, who is 10, also lives with them. They don't have cell phone service or much TV.
Ally's biggest dream is to find a Messier Object in the night sky. These are cool things like star clusters or galaxies. But then, Ally finds out her family is moving. They are going to Chicago! This means she will have to go to a regular public school.
Bree's Big Plans
Bree is 13 and very popular at her school. She's part of the "A-Clique" and loves being called beautiful. Her goal is to be on the cover of Seventeen magazine before she turns seventeen. She also hopes to be a Prom Queen in high school.
But her family has different plans. Bree and her 11-year-old sister, Melanie, are moving. They will take over as caretakers at The Moon Shadow campsite. This is the same place Ally's family is leaving. Bree is very upset about moving. She doesn't want to be homeschooled in the middle of nowhere. She worries about having no friends, no boys, and no television.
Jack's Escape
Jack is also 13 years old. He finds comfort in reading and drawing. His favorite place is his tree house. Jack doesn't have many friends. He is shy and gets teased because he is overweight.
One way he escapes is through lucid dreaming. This is a type of dream where you know you're dreaming and can control it. His third stepfather taught him this skill. It's how he can "fly" in his dreams. Jack failed science class. He had to choose between summer school or a trip. The trip was to The Moon Shadow to see the eclipse. He would go with his teacher, Mr. Silver. Jack chose the trip. On the way to the campsite, he meets several new people.
An Unlikely Friendship
Eventually, Ally, Bree, and Jack all meet at The Moon Shadow. They form a friendship that no one expected. Bree and Ally try to convince their parents to change their minds about moving. But their plan doesn't work.
Jack starts to like Ally a lot. Even though they might not see each other again, there's a chance they will. Bree finally walks the labyrinth at the campsite. She had been avoiding it since she arrived. The group then watches the amazing solar eclipse. It's a moment that truly amazes all of them. After the eclipse, they all feel ready to accept their future paths.
Bree's family invites Ally's family to visit every summer. They have an annual "Star Party." Bree even offers to teach Ally about "the ways of the world." At the end of the story, Ally sees Jack's stuffed bunny. Jack hesitates, then explains it's his only link to his father. This shows how he has become more confident. The book strongly highlights themes of friendship, change, and acceptance.
About the Author
Every Soul a Star was written by Wendy Mass. It was first published in the year 2008.
Book Details
The paperback version of the novel is 336 pages long.
Awards and Nominations
Every Soul a Star has won some special awards:
- The 2012 Middle School/Junior High California Young Reader Medal
- The Homeschool Book Award
The book was also nominated for many other awards, meaning it was chosen as a strong contender:
- Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, Illinois, 2012
- South Carolina Children's Book Award, 2011
- Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2010–2011
- Iowa Children's Choice Award, 2010–2011
- Maud Hart Lovelace Award, Minnesota, 2010–2011
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Maryland, 2011
- Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2011
- William Allen White Award Children's Book Award, Kansas, 2011
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2010
- New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award 2009-10
- Chosen as a CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center) Choice Selection
