When the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth covering the sun partially or fully that is a solar eclipse. According to Wikipedia, “At least two and up to five solar eclipses can occur each year on Earth, with between zero and two of them being total eclipses. Total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any location because during each eclipse totality exists only along a narrow corridor in the relatively tiny area of the Moon's umbra.” As total eclipses are rare so is a book as delightful and absorbing as Every Soul a Star. The three main characters Ally, Jack and Bree are brought together by this solar phenomenon.
Ally has grown up at Moon Shadow Campground. She has never really been in contact with the outside world. Her life is the camp, the stars and her search for extraterrestrials. When Ally learns that her parents are moving them back to the city, she’s afraid that life as she knows it will come to an end.
Jack is an overweight, shy boy who lumbers through life clumsily. Instead of failing him in science, Jack’s teacher gives him the opportunity to come along on an eclipse tour. Reluctantly Jack agrees thinking that surely his science teacher has made some sort of mistake.
Bree is a self-proclaimed ‘fashionista’. Her dreams for the future rest solely on becoming a fashion model. She doesn’t understand her scientist parents or her sister – none of whom have any interest in clothes, jewelry or makeup. When Bree finds out that her parents are moving the family to oversee Moon Shadow, her world falls apart.
Each character has the opportunity to tell their story as the chapters are titled “Ally”, “Bree”, "Jack" and repeat. Before reading this book, I didn’t really concern myself with the sky, stars, eclipses. But the way in which Wendy Mass describes the event of eclipse watching changed all that. Ms. Mass showed how an eclipse can occur simultaneously in the sky and in someone’s heart. That is to say, she told the story of how – despite all odds against – people can change. Good can eclipse bad, courage can eclipse fear, confidence can eclipse shyness. You just have to have your eyes open to the eclipse.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to boys and girls alike. Every Soul a Star is about people and their lives. It is about looking upward and inward. It is a truly enjoyable book of the greatest magnitude.
This book receives four cookies and a glass of milk (with a little moonglow and stardust for good measure.) Print this post
