A Handful of Stars

This powerful middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES explores a friendship between a small-town girl and the daughter of migrant workers.

When Lily's blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it's Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season. After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily's grandfather, and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this gorgeous novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love.

Author: Cynthia Lord
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 05/26/2015
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 8.55h x 5.80w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780545700276
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.4
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 174049 / Handful of Stars


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2015
Publishers Weekly 03/23/2015
Booklist 04/15/2015 pg. 50
School Library Journal 06/01/2015 pg. 101
BookPage 06/01/2015
Shelf Awareness 06/26/2015
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2015 pg. 35 - Book Of Special Distinction
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2015 pg. 92 - Recommended, Satisfactory
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/02/2015 pg. 71

About the Author
Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Half a Chance, A Handful of Stars, and Because of the Rabbit. She made her picture-book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards, including the Parents' Choice Award, and is the author of the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com.