The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum
Published by Imprint on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 1250101638
Pages: 384
Goodreads

The Weight of the Stars

 

Friendship is everything to the rag-tag group of students who have joined together under the leadership of Ryann.  So, it is no surprise when one of Ryann’s teachers asks her to befriend a new girl, Alexandria, who is prickly and hard to get to know.  When Ryann and her friends come to Alexandria’s house and see her staring at the stars from her roof, there is a series of events that ensue including Ryann being hit in the head and Alexandria falling and breaking her arm.  Ryann learns that watching from the roof is to try to communicate with Alexandria’s mother who is on a space mission that she undertook before she knew she was pregnant with Alexandria.  The girls become friends and then start a relationship.  What impressed me the most with these characters was their kindness towards each other.  They stick up for each other and understand their motivations.  Ryann has a brother who brought home his baby to live with him and Ryann and this is accepted.  Throughout most of the book the brother, James, doesn’t speak but his and Ryann’s love for each other is always there.  This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland