The Same Stuff as Stars

by Katherine Paterson

Book Overview

Angel Morgan needs help. Daddy is in jail, and Mama has abandoned her and her little brother, leaving them with their great-grandmother. Grandma is aged and poor, and doesn't make any attempt to care for the children--that's left up to Angel, even though she is not yet twelve. The only bright spot in Angel's existence is the Star Man, a mysterious stranger who appears on clear nights and teaches her all about the stars and planets and constellations...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0544540301
• ISBN13: 9780544540309
• Release Date: September 2015
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Awesome BOOK!!!!!!

I belive that this book was very well written. You know it's a good book when you laugh and then you cry. This book has a VERY good ending if you want to write a sequal. (Is there one already?) I think that is was exciting. I felt as though I was with angel or even that i WAS angel. It was a book i will remember for years to come. When she laughed i laughed and when she cried i cried.

Story of a Struggling Child

The Same Stuff as Stars is a realistic story of a child, Angel, struggling to keep her family together and find love for her lonely heart. In this struggle, Angel faces some of the most difficult circumstances a child can face. Her father is in jail and has a failing relationship with his grandmother and Angel's mother. Angel has to be the parent for her younger, defiant brother (the book starts with him starting a fire in the living room). Her mother is abusive and selfish. Angel and her brother have been shuffled around, including in foster homes, and end up at their great-granmother's. Angel, despite these circumstances, is committed to keeping her family together and stays true to the people that give her love...and even her mother. Newbery Medal winning author, Katherine Paterson, does a wonderful job of writing a simple story about such complex issues. The various family member characters and their struggles are developed, so the family background that lead to Angel's life is revealed for the reader. As Angel works through the hardships your feelings are with her, hoping for the best as she does. The issues presented in the book help the reader understand the complexities of families, and what is seen on the outside does not always clue us in to what may be happening in a person's life. Paterson works in unforeseen events in the book that make you feel for Angel but also curious as to what the outcome will be. The characters do not always make the best decisions with the events, but even still a lesson emerges from each incident. The main lesson taught is to reach out to others. The characters that reach out to Angel give her love, someone to depend on, and hope. They teach the reader to also reach out to others. Among the sadness of this child's life are glimses of hope and love. The book ends with a glimmer of hope, making it true to life. Angel is not sure of the future, which is how life is, but with hope and love from others, life is much easier to handle.

A very moving story

I thought this story was a very powerful story about Angel and her little brother, Bernie who goes through hard times. It's touching and shows how some kids have to live. It showed me how hard Angel and Bernie had it, Their Dad in Jail and their mother who was negligent. Does have some bad language, but I highly recommend it.

Same Stuff as Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed Katherine Paterson's book Same Stuff as Stars because it is an excellent example of realistic fiction. The themes that are present in this book are common to many children in today's society. Imagine being motherless and fatherless and having to rely mainly on yourself for support. Angel is eleven years old in this story and is trying to take care of her younger brother. She is desperate for a real home, unlike her current situation of living with her poor-grandmother. A stranger who is able to explain the night skies is truly all she has to make a difference in her life. Will this stranger's wisdom be enough to eliminate her loneliness and overcome her tragic circumstances she faces each day?