If you are needing a hopeful book during this time of isolation, then this one is for you. I adored this #ownvoices book and I hope you and your reader will too.
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Libby Monroe is great at science, being optimistic, and talking to her famous, accomplished friends (okay, maybe that last one is only in her head). She’s not great at playing piano, sitting still, or figuring out how to say the right thing at the right time in real life. Libby was born with Turner Syndrome, and that makes some things hard. But she has lots of people who love her, and that makes her pretty lucky.
When her big sister Nonny tells her she’s pregnant, Libby is thrilled—but worried. Nonny and her husband are in a financial black hole, and Libby knows that babies aren’t always born healthy. So she strikes a deal with the universe: She’ll enter a contest with a project about Cecelia Payne, the first person to discover what stars are made of. If she wins the grand prize and gives all that money to Nonny’s family, then the baby will be perfect. Does she have what it takes to care for the sister that has always cared for her? And what will it take for the universe to notice?
My Thoughts:
Libby Monroe was born with Turner Syndrome, a genetic condition where she was born with only an X chromosome. This impacts how she thinks and responds in situations. But this does not stop her from loving science, especially a lesser-known woman such as Cecilia Payne. She was the first person to discover what stars are made of, but she didn’t get the immediate credit she deserved.
When Nonny, Libby’s older sister, moves back in with her and her mom and dad because she’s pregnant, Libby realizes that she must help her. Nonny and her husband, Thomas, are struggling financially and Thomas isn’t getting the best of luck with finding and maintaining a flexible job with a baby on the way. Libby feels like she is destined to make sure that her sister’s baby comes out perfectly. So that she is not “missing” anything like she is missing another chromosome herself. This is when Libby learns that there is a huge contest that would allow her to win $25,000. She would give that money to her sister to help kickstart the baby’s life and to not have such a burden when it comes to buying a house.
So, Libby strikes a deal with the universe. She will enter the Smithsonian STEM contest and bring Cecilia Payne the recognition she deserves! There are many bumps along the way that entail loss of hope and nervousness that the baby will not be okay.
The themes that resonate in this story are to never give up, cherish family, step out of your comfort zone, and be you. What made this book so different was that you got to learn of this “not-as-known” disability and the way it impacted the character. This is also an #ownvoices book, so I appreciate that this character is based on the author’s real life impacts too. Overall, this book was very sweet and hopeful and I think it will be encouraging for students who struggle to make friends, or students who have a disability or what to know how disabilities impact others in different ways.
Starry Resources
About the Author
Sarah is the author of WHAT STARS ARE MADE OF and BREATHING UNDERWATER (coming spring 2021!) Like Libby in STARS, she was born with Turner syndrome. She is represented by the phenomenal Brianne Johnson at Writer’s House. She received an MFA in fiction from Brigham Young University and will soon start an MFA in poetry at the University of South Florida, Tampa.
Have you ever hoped and hoped that something magical would happen to you? Have you ever made a deal with the universe? Share with me below!
Xo, Sierra
Books. Iced Lattes. Blessed. 
This sounds like such a touching story! I just might have to buy a copy. Thanks for the great review!
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Well, we could all use something hopeful right now. This sounds perfect. I will check it out. Thanks for telling me about it.
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