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Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper is a story that takes place during The Great Depression in the segregated South.

Is it distinguished enough to be a future Newbery?

I liked this book. I thought many topics could be discussed in the classroom, and students could have empathy with Stella since she is such a likable character. I've only read two other 2015 books (Fish in a Tree & All the Answers). Both these books I liked better than Stella by Starlight. I think this book will be liked by several people and regarded highly as I do; however, I do not see it beating a book like Fish in a Tree. I also started reading Echo, which has started out sooooo good.

I liked this book, but I didn't think it was extraordinary. I don't see it as a Newbery contender.

I liked this one too. I thought it was great that in addition to all the historical aspects that there was a great piece about the African American storytelling tradition. I never can figure out why they pick the Newbery award winners so this one probably has just a good of a chance as any!

I read Stella sometime in January and I liked it, but it didn't keep me wanting to find out what was going to happen. It's the type of title that will only appeal to a specific type of reader. I could easily see kids picking it up to read, but then abandoning it soon after. It was somewhat slow moving for me.

I also think this book would make a great classroom read aloud/study. Besides the historical and cultural themes, Draper seems to be hinting that Stella has dyslexia (trouble with reading, writing, left-handed). I enjoyed the book and Stella's voice, but I don't think it will stay with me the way a Newbery usually does.

I have too much to say about this book to fit it all here, so I'll share my link and a few of my thoughts!



I really liked Stella, but I thought she and the other characters were a bit too one-dimensional. Maybe young readers won't notice or care. The story seemed a little slow moving at times, and may be too long for the target audience. The book ended somewhat abruptly, in my opinion, too.

I thought the writing was very well done, and it was satisfying watching Stella blossom into a heroine. This book would make for a better read aloud than an independent read. I think students would need some background knowledge before diving in. And as a read aloud, I think it would provide a great means for discussion on heavy topics that students may not be equipped to handle without a facilitator.

Probably not my pick for Newbery, but like I said, a good read in general. I would definitely read more of Sharon Draper's work.

I really enjoyed this, especially the voice and character of Stella.
The writing is beautiful, and my only criticism is that it seems to end too abruptly. It could be Newbery worthy?

When I read this book, my first thought was that it is a great read-alike for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, which was a Newbery winner/honor book years ago and which I taught to my middle schoolers when I was a teacher. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story as well as Stella's character, but I don't think this is a book that will be super-popular with kids, except for those who are fans of historical fiction.

As far as it being a Newbery contender, I haven't had much to compare it with yet this year, so we'll see.

My favorite portions of this book are the writings by Stella--she makes mistakes, corrects spelling, prepares multiple drafts and sometimes finds it hard to transfer her thoughts to written words. This is a very important demonstration of the writing process for young people.
Kate

I enjoyed Stella by Starlight, but I'm not sure that it will be a contender for Newbery. Draper did a good job of placing the reader in the South during a tumultuous time in history & she gave us a brave, strong main character that I think my students will identify with and love. I did feel some of the secondary characters were not as developed as they should have been and their story lines didn't have a completion. I was disappointed that we didn't see what happened after Paulette fell into the pond and Stella saved her. I would have loved to see their particular story line continue.

I believe the author gave enough information about the Ku Klux Klan to peak the interest of students, but kept it to a level that was appropriate for middle grade readers.

As a librarian, I always try to pair my fiction with nonfiction in order to get students reading a bit of each & offer fiction selections to students that are similar to the one they just read. I think that this book would pair nicely with Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (fiction & mentioned in an earlier comment), The People Could Fly (African American folktales written by Virginia Hamilton, older book) & They Call Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group (nonfiction by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, more appropriate for 9-12 grade students or for teachers wanting to answer students questions about the KKK after reading "Stella").

I like your remarks.

I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons, including its age-appropriate but honest presentation of the unrelenting rigor of life in the 1930s rural south as experienced by African-Americans, and the sweet character of Stella, not a perfect girl but one always trying to do her best. However, I agree with the comment above that the book ended too abruptly, and I expect a number of readers will be comparing it, a bit unfavorably in terms of richness of language and character development, to Mildred Taylor's award-winning series on the Logan family.

I enjoyed this book and know who I would recommend it but I didn't LOVE it. I thought the child characters were descriptive but some of the adult characters were sketchy.

Thanks, Kate, for pointing out the description of the writing process Stella uses.

I agree with a lot that's been said. The book was good, but probably not newbery. It was not quite the exciting, driving story I thought it'd be after reading that first (dramatic) chapter. Is the KKK going to do something to Stella's family? That's what I'm left wondering.

I enjoyed the book but felt like it needed one more chapter at the end. This is a great start to our Mock Newbery List.

I enjoyed this book. Stella is sweet and not always perfect. Most of the characters were not as well develop as they could have been. The first chapter had me excited to read more, but found that the book began to drag at times. Love the link to writing and see uses for this book in the writing classroom, great example for students who do not like to write. The ending was too rushed! I could only think, "Really, why did I not see this coming? Why the rush to the finish?" Good link to history and an age appropriate look at KKK. Good link to writing, but I do not see this as a serious Newbery winning book.

I've joined this group a bit late, I hope that's okay. Anyhow, I enjoyed this book and felt that the historic aspects of the story were made accessible to a younger audience, but I don't know that it is expceptionally unique in terms of the events and characters, thus not exactly Newbery-worthy. But certainly a good read and should be well received.

There were a lot of great things about this book - the depiction of family and culture, a part of black history that isn't covered in chapter books as often as others, with a presentation appropriate to the age group, a great depiction of learning to write and struggling with something you want to do that doesn't come easily. But overall, the writing didn't feel particularly distinguished - the characters weren't particularly vivid and the plot had some issues (the pond scene felt tacked on and didn't add much to the story, plus I kept waiting for the KKK to come back as a plot point). I would recommend it to readers looking for historical fiction, but it's not making my personal Newbery list.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jess. A fine piece of historical fiction, but not quite on the level of a Newbery.

I just finished this book yesterday. My first thought was that it was like Roll of Thunder...but not as compelling. I didn't love it while I was reading it but I didn't hate it either. I felt that Stella was a bit unbelievable for a girl her age. (The whole pond scene with the saving of the girl rubbed me wrong). Overall I'm glad I read it but I don't think it will win.

I just finished this book yesterday. My first thought was that it was like Roll of Thunder...but not as compelling. I didn't love it while I was reading it but I didn't hate it either. I felt that Stella was a bit unbelievable for a girl her age. (The whole pond scene with the saving of the girl rubbed me wrong). Overall I'm glad I read it but I don't think it will win.

I just finished this, and I have to say I wasn't too thrilled with it.
Not one of my top picks.