The Life History of a Star

Set in the post-Vietnam era, the story is told through the diary entries of fourteen-year-old Kristin. While she deals with the standard trials of middle school, puberty, and changing friendships, her home life is dominated by the presence of her older brother, David. Once a star athlete, David returned from Vietnam as a 'ghost', mentally and physically destroyed by the war. Kristin uses her writing to process her frustration with her parents' avoidance and her own developing identity. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book handles PTSD, the horrors of war, and the physical decline of a loved one with a raw, secular, and realistic lens. David's condition is not sugar-coated, nor is the strain it puts on the marriage of his parents. The resolution is realistic rather than 'happily ever after', focusing on Kristin's internal growth. EMOTIONAL ARC: The narrative starts in a place of stifled confusion and builds in intensity as Kristin becomes more aware of her family's dysfunction. It concludes on a note of resilient hope as she learns to separate her own 'life history' from the tragedies of her family. IDEAL READER: A thoughtful 13 or 14-year-old who feels like an observer in their own life, or a student interested in the domestic aftershocks of historical conflicts. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child withdrawing or expressing resentment that their own needs (like help with puberty or social anxiety) are being overshadowed by a family crisis or an ill sibling. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of frank discussions regarding menstruation and body changes, as well as the dark descriptions of David's mental state. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on Kristin's social struggles and physical changes, while older teens will better grasp the political and psychological weight of the Vietnam War's legacy. DIFFERENTIATOR: It perfectly captures the specific 1970s California atmosphere and the unique 'in-between' feeling of being a younger sibling to a war veteran.