Liza's Star Wish

Name: Liza's Star Wish
ISBN: 9780688153106

by Diane Stevens

Liza, 14, is sent to her grandmother's in Rockport, Texas, for the summer. There, she grapples with the unresolved grief over her younger sister's death and learns about the complexities of family and

About This Book

Liza's Star Wish follows fourteen-year-old Liza as she navigates a summer away from home at her grandmother's house in Rockport, Texas. Initially resentful, Liza is forced to confront the profound impact of her younger sister's death on her family and herself. Through new and old relationships, she begins to understand the different ways people grieve and heal, ultimately gaining valuable insights into love, loss, and connection. This chapter book is ideal for middle-grade readers (ages 10-14) who are exploring themes of family dynamics, grief, and personal growth.

While unwillingly spending the summer at her grandmother's house in Rockport, Texas, fourteen-year-old Liza gains insights into relationships with family and friends, old and new, and into the effects of her younger sister's death on everyone.

Concepts

Sadness & Grief Love & Family Loneliness & Belonging Self-Confidence & Identity Resilience & Perseverance Friendship & Loyalty Empathy & Kindness Curiosity & Wonder Death of a Loved One Growing Up Making Friends Family & Siblings Friendship & Social

Heads up, parents

Character Death

mental_health_themes

Discussion Prompts

How does Liza's initial reluctance to stay with her grandmother change throughout the summer? What causes this shift?

The book explores different ways family members cope with grief. How do Liza, her parents, and her grandmother each deal with the sister's death?

What role do Liza's new and old friends play in her journey of healing and self-discovery?

How does the setting of Rockport, Texas, contribute to Liza's experience and her reflections?

What does Liza learn about herself and her relationships by the end of the summer?

External Reviews