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adilmaster62's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
missoliviareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Onjali Rauf has a way of writing the most emotive prose that just breaks your heart and then builds it back up again. Dealing with such a sensitive issue in such a real way is unprecedented - just stunning.
gracegreenlaw's review against another edition
5.0
Aniyah and Ben’s mum has disappeared and become a star, ‘The Star Outside my Window’ follows their journey to finding their mum and understanding why she had to become a star. After reading the fantastic ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ by the same author I was excited to see whether this would be equally good. This book was moving and funny at the same time. It reminded me of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, I think because it is written largely from the perspective of Aniyah who, due to the trauma that she has experienced, recalls events that have happened in her life in an almost naive way. This makes the book even more moving to read because, as an adult, you are painfully aware of what Aniyah and her brother have truly gone through. The language used is simple with lots of ‘family’ dialogue that children would be familiar with.
While this is a great book that depicts a group of children, bonded by the fact that they are in foster care, going on wild adventures to London, the themes are heavy and some careful pre-work should be completed before reading with a class. Definitely for upper KS2 children with their individual backgrounds taken into consideration before reading.
While this is a great book that depicts a group of children, bonded by the fact that they are in foster care, going on wild adventures to London, the themes are heavy and some careful pre-work should be completed before reading with a class. Definitely for upper KS2 children with their individual backgrounds taken into consideration before reading.
hafeza_libary's review against another edition
3.0
Rate it a 3/5
It mentions topic like foster care and the journey of a child wanting to name his mom's star the right name.He believes she us a star even though she is not her with her.
It was a nice read and I enjoyed it.
It mentions topic like foster care and the journey of a child wanting to name his mom's star the right name.He believes she us a star even though she is not her with her.
It was a nice read and I enjoyed it.
chloegwen16's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
claire60's review against another edition
5.0
Absolute page turner could not put this down, a wonderfully written story of Aniyah and Noah who are adjusting to life in foster care. Aniyah has always been a star hunter and believes that her mum has turned into a star and sets off on an adventure to make sure that the recently discovered star is named properly after her mum. Told through her experience as the truth of her situation and the reality of what happened to her mum begins to dawn on her this is a moving and gripping read, with well developed characters and believable relationships.
natz785's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Aniyah and her brother, Noah, have gone to live with Mrs I and the children she fosters. We know very little about their circumstances but can glean something major has happened. Both are traumatised by their experiences and talk of their mum becoming a star hint at what might have happened.
As the story progresses we learn of the games they used to play with their mum that clearly indicate a life of abuse at the hands of their father. Their wariness and defence mechanisms are tough to read about as an adult.
Reading this as an adult was probably quite a different experience to that of the target audience. Much is hinted at and the details are sparse, but they offer enough to firmly place you on the side of these kids and others like them.
The main focus of the story is the madcap plan to get to the Royal Observatory in order to make sure that the newly discovered star is given their mother’s name. Ignoring plausibility this was the kind of madcap scheme that had you hoping they’d succeed.
Though it was clear what had happened, the final stages of this where Aniyah has her moment of acceptance were hard. In spite of sitting on the bus reading I had tears rolling down my face and found myself needing a moment to digest what, for me, was a sensitively told story but what, for many, will be a grim reality.
As the story progresses we learn of the games they used to play with their mum that clearly indicate a life of abuse at the hands of their father. Their wariness and defence mechanisms are tough to read about as an adult.
Reading this as an adult was probably quite a different experience to that of the target audience. Much is hinted at and the details are sparse, but they offer enough to firmly place you on the side of these kids and others like them.
The main focus of the story is the madcap plan to get to the Royal Observatory in order to make sure that the newly discovered star is given their mother’s name. Ignoring plausibility this was the kind of madcap scheme that had you hoping they’d succeed.
Though it was clear what had happened, the final stages of this where Aniyah has her moment of acceptance were hard. In spite of sitting on the bus reading I had tears rolling down my face and found myself needing a moment to digest what, for me, was a sensitively told story but what, for many, will be a grim reality.
hannah_daydreaming's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing book of a journey Aniyah takes to ensure her mother's heart/star didn't get the wrong name. Full of constellations, stories, characters and an astronomical amount of love, this book is one with a beautiful story.