About This Book
Keeping Safe the Stars is a poignant historical fiction novel set in 1974 rural Minnesota, following the Star siblings, Pride (13), Nightingale (11), and Baby (6). Raised to be fiercely independent orphans, their world is upended when their grandfather, Old Finn, falls gravely ill and is hospitalized far from home. The children must navigate self-sufficiency, fear of separation, and the difficult lesson of accepting help from their community to stay together. This book beautifully explores themes of family love, resilience, community support, and the challenges of growing up amidst hardship, making it suitable for readers aged 8-12.
In rural Minnesota in 1974, thirteen-year-old Pride Star, raised to be independent, must accept help from friends and neighbors to care for eleven-year-old Nightingale and six-year-old Baby when her grandfather is hospitalized with a brain infection.
illness
separation_from_parent
peril_danger
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Pride's definition of 'independence' change throughout the story?
2
What are some ways the community helps the Star children? How do the children learn to accept this help?
3
How do each of the siblings cope with their grandfather's illness and absence?
4
What challenges did families face in rural areas in the 1970s that might be different today?
5
What does 'keeping safe the stars' mean to each of the characters?
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