The Stars Beneath Our Feet — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother’s death in this outstanding debut novel that celebrates community and creativity.
** WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING–JOHN STEPTOE AWARD FOR NEW TALENT! **
SIX STARRED REVIEWS!
It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from his older brother’s death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly’s always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.
His path isn’t clear—and the pressure to join a “crew,” as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape—and an unexpected bridge back to the world.
David Barclay Moore paints a powerful portrait of a boy teetering on the edge—of adolescence, of grief, of violence—and shows how Lolly’s inventive spirit helps him build a life with firm foundations and open doors.
MORE PRAISE FOR THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET:
A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Top 10 Children's Books of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of the Year
An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book
“A fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us. David Barclay Moore is an exciting new voice. We definitely haven’t heard the last of his brilliance.” —Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award–winning of Brown Girl Dreaming
“The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about the weight of the world on the back of a child, and the creative tools necessary to alleviate that pressure. I found myself rooting for Lolly, and you will too.” —Jason Reynolds, Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner for As Brave As You
Frequently asked questions
Is The Stars Beneath Our Feet appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book includes themes of violence, particularly in relation to the protagonist, Lolly, who is navigating life after the murder of his older brother. The narrative portrays Lolly's experiences with neighborhood bullies and the impact of violence in his environment. No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The narrative deals with serious themes but does not include elements that would be considered scary or likely to induce fear.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have violence?
The book includes themes of violence, particularly in relation to the protagonist, Lolly, who is navigating life after the murder of his older brother. The narrative portrays Lolly's experiences with neighborhood bullies and the impact of violence in his environment.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The narrative deals with serious themes but does not include elements that would be considered scary or likely to induce fear.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have religious themes?
No religious content is present in the book. The search results do not indicate any religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies within the narrative.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have racial/cultural content?
The book explores the experiences of young people of color living in Harlem, addressing themes of poverty and community. It portrays a realistic and sometimes brutal depiction of life for these characters, highlighting their struggles and aspirations.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have profanity?
No profanity is indicated in the book. The search results reference a review that suggests avoiding obscene or profane language, implying that such language is not present in the text.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have climate change?
No climate themes are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any discussion of environmental issues or activism within the narrative.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the book. The search results do not provide evidence of any explicit sexual themes or scenes within the narrative.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. While it features a male protagonist, it does not engage with themes of gender expectations or roles in a significant way.
Does The Stars Beneath Our Feet have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the narrative of 'The Stars Beneath Our Feet'. While the author, David Barclay Moore, is identified as queer, this does not translate to LGBTQ+ content within the book itself. The search results primarily reference the author's background rather than content from the book.
