Author: Wesley King
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Julie H.
Summary: Middle-schooler Daniel wishes more than anything that he could live a
normal life. He struggles daily with his “routines”; things he feels compelled
to do or else something terrible will happen. He hates being on the football
team but feels like football is the only thing that keeps his father from
hating him altogether. He turns beet red anytime he tries to talk to his crush,
and other kids pick on him constantly. He is overwhelmed by anxiety, and feels
like writing is the only thing keeping him sane. Nothing is going right until one
day when a strange girl claiming to be a “Star Child” asks him to help her
solve a mystery, and he is drawn into a dangerous murder investigation. Daniel
must confront his fears and explore who he really is to be able to get out of
this alive.
Review: Riveting and honest, this
chapter book had me hooked from the very first line. The realistic portrayal of
characters brings a sense of truth to the story, while the mystery of Sara the
Star Child makes it all feel a bit magical. Wesley King, who has Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder himself, handles the theme of mental illness with care and even offers
suggestions at the end of the book on how to seek help. Overall, the book was
enjoyable and well-written. I would recommend it for children late
middle-school age or older, because it addresses challenging topics including
mental health, suicide, and infidelity.
