Your second review of the day! This one comes from my friend Emily Charlotte. She’s intrigued me with her stories, taught me with her artistic method, and encouraged me in my writing a couple years now. She writes beautiful down to earth stories and today she reviews a book I know and love. (Bonus: I participated in the launch team for TSTAS and that review is buried on Goodreads review here). Emily’s review is concise and the content warnings are very thorough, which I appreciate. 🙂 Alright, let’s get to it:

Genre: Historical Middle Grade 

Content Warnings: 

Violence + Gore: None

Sex + Romance: Mentions of crushes and dances, nothing explicit

Profanity: None

Drinking, Drugs, Smoking: None (that I can recall)

Other: Mentions of divorce, remarriage, discrimination against Native Americans

Review: The Star That Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson is a gentle Middle Grade novel (inspired by the author’s family history) about an introspective, Objiwe protagonist named Norvia. It follows Norvia and her siblings as they navigate the blending of families, new schools and new friendships after their mother’s remarriage and move from the country to the city in Michigan. 

Readers who love the timeless, classic feel of books such as Anne of Green Gables and The Penderwicks might find The Star That Always Stays to be a new comfort read. With bookish references and historical details woven throughout, this sweet tale manages to maintain the light of hope and faith without being afraid to tackle harder subjects. I found myself enjoying all the sibling banter, the well researched description of life in 1914, and how Johnson managed to keep readers invested in all of Norvia’s hopes and dreams – whether big or small. Overall, I would recommend The Star That Always Stays to anyone on the search for a clean, sweet, and cozy Middle Grade with subtle faith themes. 

“The majesty of the heavens soared above the stargazers, rendering their personal worries and woes almost insignificant. A sense of refreshment and relief washed over Norvia. The stars didn’t disappear. She could stare at them as long as she pleased, and they glittered like flecks of jewels pasted onto a black panel of sky.”

The Star That Always Stays

About the Reviewer:

Emily Charlotte is a Japanese American writer with a citizenship in heaven, bought for her by the blood of Jesus. She pens quiet, retro Middle Grade novels and is working towards her dream of becoming a published author. When she isn’t writing, you might find her collecting moments through journaling, pottering about with herbal tea blends, reading in her favorite green cardigan, dreaming of blueberry muffins, and all the other grandma-like hobbies that aid in the procrastination of weeding her garden. You can find her at https://emilycharlotteauthor.wordpress.com/