STAR BY STAR
Little Island Books, 2017
SHORTLISTED FOR IRISH BOOK AWARDS
WINNER, HONOUR AWARD FOR FICTION, CHILDREN’S BOOKS IRELAND AWARDS
DESIGNATED ‘FUTURE CLASSIC’ BY BOOKTRUST
NAMED AS ONE OF THE BEST TEXTS ON WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE BY THE BBC
It’s 1918 and Stella has lost her suffragette mother to the terrible flu pandemic that is sweeping Europe. The Great War is finally coming to a close, and women are going to be able to vote for the first time.
Stella wants to change the world – but she can’t do it all by herself. Just as stars come one by one to brighten the night sky, so history is made person by person, girl by girl, vote by vote.
‘The message underpinning the novel that individuals can do something to bring about change is powerful and life-affirming. A heart-warming gem of a book.’ Jane Churchill, Books for Keeps Magazine, five star review
‘I read this book in one heady gulp, captivated by its teenager narrator, Stella and her longing to be someone and do something important, something young teens will deeply relate to.’ The Irish Independent from their list of best children’s books of 2017
‘Stella is Wilkinson’s most endearing heroine yet, and her narrative offers up an insightful look into the losses and traumas of the era, with pitch-perfect period details woven throughout.’ The Irish Times
‘Another stormer from this hugely-gifted novelist’ Damian Smyth, Head of Literature, Arts Council of Northern Ireland
‘This is a beautifully written and fascinating story, which shines a light on an important part of history.’ Booktrust
‘This assured and bold tale of heroism, courage, and survival skilfully draws the modern reader into its vividly rendered early-twentieth-century setting. Sheena Wilkinson offers an inspiring, humorous and insightful proclamation of each individual’s potential to enact change and create a more just society, vote by vote and star by star.’ Judges at the Children’s Books Ireland Awards