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Star-Crossed

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Eighth grader Matilda, who goes by Mattie, is not used to being in the spotlight. She is perfectly happy playing the side character of Paris in her middle school's production of Romeo and Juliet. However, she finds herself becoming more and more interested in the language of Shakespeare, as well as the cute new girl from England. But when the lead playing Romeo drops out, she is asked to step in to replace him. The only problem is, her crush Gemma Braithwaite is playing Juliet. The book follows Mattie as she navigates her feelings for both a boy and a girl, exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and friendship in a heartwarming and comical manner with a touch of Shakespearean inspiration.

Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee is a middle-grade novel that intricately weaves together themes of secret crushes, fierce rivalries, and the complexities of middle school social pressures. Mattie's journey of self-discovery, as she grapples with her feelings for both a boy and a girl, resonates with readers as she learns to embrace her true identity amidst the backdrop of a school play and the support of her friends and family. The author delicately balances humor, sweetness, and authenticity to create a compelling narrative that captures the essence of young love and acceptance.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is warm and engaging, effectively reflecting the protagonist's voice while providing humor and insight into middle school life.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows an eighth-grade girl as she grapples with her emerging bisexuality while participating in a school play, exploring themes of young love and identity.

Setting:

The contemporary middle school setting provides a relatable backdrop for the exploration of young love and identity.

Pacing:

The pacing features engaging sections but has slower moments in the middle, impacting overall narrative momentum.
I hadn’t been invited to Willow’s Halloween party, and I was okay with it. Unlike a lot of my classmates, I didn’t plan my schedule around her parties, which were usually sweaty and overcrowded, the s...

Notes:

Star-Crossed is a middle grade novel focused on an eighth grade girl named Mattie who discovers her bisexuality.
The book beautifully intertwines themes of young romance, friendship, and self-discovery.
Mattie has a crush on her classmate Gemma while also having a previous crush on a boy named Elijah.
The narrative includes Shakespearean parallels, especially referencing Romeo and Juliet.
Many readers found Mattie's growth and realization of her feelings relatable and heartwarming.
The book is praised for its genuine depiction of LGBTQ+ experiences for young readers.
It includes humor and charming character interactions, particularly between Mattie and her sister Cara.
Readers appreciated the lack of traditional antagonists, creating a warm school environment.
It encourages discussions of sexuality and the importance of representation in children's literature.
Several comments noted the need for more middle-grade books featuring characters who identify as bisexual.

From The Publisher:

Twelve-year-old Mattie wrestles with her crush on Gemma as they participate in their school production of Romeo and Juliet in this Goodreads Choice Finalist that made the 2018 ALA Rainbow List Top Ten.

Twelve-year-old Mattie is thrilled when she learns the eighth grade play will be Romeo and Juliet. In particular, she can't wait to share the stage with Gemma Braithwaite, who has been cast as Juliet. Gemma is brilliant, pretty-and British!-and Mattie starts to see her as more than just a friend. But Mattie has also had an on/off crush on her classmate Elijah since, well, forever. Is it possible to have a crush on both boys AND girls?

If that wasn't enough to deal with, things offstage are beginning to resemble their own Shakespearean drama: the cast is fighting, and the boy playing Romeo may not be up to the challenge of the role. And due to a last-minute emergency, Mattie is asked to step up and take over the leading role-opposite Gemma's Juliet-just as Mattie's secret crush starts to become not-so-secret in her group of friends.

In this funny, sweet, and clever look at the complicated nature of middle school romance, Mattie learns how to become a lead player in her own life.

About the Author:

Barbara Dee is the author of twelve middle grade novels published by Simon & Schuster, including Violets Are Blue, My Life in the Fish Tank, Maybe He Just Likes You, Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including the The Washington Post's Best Children's Books, the ALA Notable Children's Books, the ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, the NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Barbara lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a sweet rescue hound named Ripley, in Westchester County, New York.

 
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