ParentsPick

Stella by Starlight — Content Guide for Parents

By Sharon M. DraperSimon and Schuster2015ISBN 9781442494985320 pages
Stella by Starlight

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Religious themes
Racial/cultural content

Not found

ProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Sharon M. Draper presents “storytelling at its finest” (School Library Journal, starred review) in this New York Times bestselling Depression-era novel about a young girl who must learn to be brave in the face of violent prejudice when the Ku Klux Klan reappears in her segregated southern town.

Stella lives in the segregated South—in Bumblebee, North Carolina, to be exact about it. Some stores she can go into. Some stores she can’t. Some folks are right pleasant. Others are a lot less so. To Stella, it sort of evens out, and heck, the Klan hasn’t bothered them for years. But one late night, later than she should ever be up, much less wandering around outside, Stella and her little brother see something they’re never supposed to see, something that is the first flicker of change to come, unwelcome change by any stretch of the imagination. As Stella’s community—her world—is upended, she decides to fight fire with fire. And she learns that ashes don’t necessarily signify an end.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Stella by Starlight appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book addresses violence related to racism, including references to Ku Klux Klan activities and personal experiences of physical violence. It depicts the fear and tension in the community due to these threats. The book contains elements that may be considered scary, particularly related to the threats posed by the Ku Klux Klan and the atmosphere of fear in the community. This is described as being impactful for young readers.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have violence?

    The book addresses violence related to racism, including references to Ku Klux Klan activities and personal experiences of physical violence. It depicts the fear and tension in the community due to these threats.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have scary content?

    The book contains elements that may be considered scary, particularly related to the threats posed by the Ku Klux Klan and the atmosphere of fear in the community. This is described as being impactful for young readers.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have religious themes?

    The narrative includes elements of Christian faith as part of the cultural backdrop, with references to community and family ties that are often associated with religious values. However, the specific religious practices or beliefs are not deeply explored.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have racial/cultural content?

    The central theme of the book revolves around racism and the experiences of African-Americans in a segregated community. It addresses the historical context of racial prejudice and the impact on the protagonist's life.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have profanity?

    No profanity is mentioned in the search results, indicating that the language used in the book is appropriate for its intended audience.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have climate change?

    No themes related to climate change or environmental issues are present in the search results for 'Stella by Starlight'.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have sexual identity?

    There are no romantic or sexual themes present in the narrative. The protagonist, Stella, is depicted as a young girl with friendships but no romantic relationships.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have gender roles?

    While the book features a young female protagonist and discusses her ambitions, there are no explicit traditional or modern gender roles promoted or critiqued in the narrative.

  • Does Stella by Starlight have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results for 'Stella by Starlight'. The focus is primarily on the historical context of racism and the experiences of a young African-American girl.