LitPick Review
Stella Mills has a secret! Every night, she goes outside to write. Though Stella fears that she’ll never be a good writer, she likes seeing her words on paper. But what is there to write about in the sleepy, segregated town of 1932 Bumblebee, North Carolina? Dark inspiration comes when the Ku Klux Klan begins to hold meetings by the river after years of uncomfortable peace. Stella can’t understand why anyone would hate her cozy African-American community. Her Mama and Papa try to protect her and her little brother, Jojo, from the terrible hatred. However, every child feels the racism when they get dirty looks, get old textbooks, or see the white-only models in the Sears catalog. Led by Pastor Patton, the adults decide that it is time to stand up for themselves. Their actions do not go unnoticed by the KKK, and when tragic events unfold, Stella must learn how to truly judge a human spirit.
Opinion:
Stella by Starlight is a fantastic introduction for young readers to segregation in the American South. The main character, Stella Mills, is a brave, inquisitive girl who observes the harsh events going on with an age-appropriate sense of justice. Her occasional flaws in school and uncertainties make her accessible to readers. Stella’s close-knit African-American community is portrayed with vivid detail, from the descriptions of the kids running barefoot to the many classic foods (fried chicken, anyone?). Real events, like the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, are smoothly twined into the plot to keep younger readers engaged. Charming chapters that are just Stella’s “reporting” and homework assignments use different fonts that feels realistic. As for the novel as a whole, it tackles the issues of racism with suitable tact, but it delves into violence in order for readers to understand how awful life could get for groups being discriminated against. To get entertained with a smart, fast-moving plot and learn some history to boot, read Stella by Starlight.
