Stella by Starlight

By: Sharon M. Draper

Narrated by: Heather Alicia Simms

2016 Audie Award Finalist for Middle Grade

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.

Great Book

I throughly enjoyed it but I wish the author told us about what happened when the Dr. Found out that Stella saved his daughter...

Great story

Such a beautifully and tragic story of an 11 year old girl growing up with presence of the KKK and the impact it has on her African American family and community. My 10 year
Old daughter and I loved reading it together and opened up some great conversations. Must read for any middle grade reader and up!

Heartwarming!

Really enjoyed the narration.
story line was well arranged and easy to follow. especially appreciate that it was voud of cursing and sex! nice clean yarn.

Powerful

A powerful story of a courageous going girl facing the Klan during the Depression era. #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Hopeful about the future

This story’s main character is Stella coming to her own understanding about Southern life and her abilities. Some of the main themes are racism/injustice in the south, and bravery. The author does a fine job of keeping the reader interested in the story with descriptive language that allows the reader to feel as if they could imagine the story setting & character dilemmas. Stella’s raw vulnerabilities are revealed throughout the story . She is a brave girl! Many of the scenes and language helped me to remember my childhood in the South and be warmly connected to the story. Although racism is a theme, the characters are developed in such a way that the reader remains hopeful about the goodness of others and a brighter future. Quick read for anyone.
The audible version was quite good because Heather Simms was able to change her voice to sound like (I’d imagine ) the characters in this historical & geographical period! Well done!