L'étoile rebelle

Dizzy #2

by Cathy Cassidy, Anne Guitton (Translator)

Un spin-off de La belle étoile abordant des sujets difficiles avec délicatesse. Je m'appelle : Mouse
Mon âge : 14 ans
Je suis : battant et solitaire
Mon style : sweat à capuche et bombe de peinture
J'aime : regarder les étoiles
Je rêve : de redonner des couleurs aux murs de ma ville
Mon problème : j'ai mis en rogne le dealer de mon quartier...

Genres: Childrens, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Teen

256 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I was born in 1962 in Coventry (scarily ancient, I know). I wrote my first picture book for my little brother when I was eight or nine. I loved making comics, too - pages and pages of picture stories, features and competitions.

I went to Art College in Liverpool, then got a job as fiction editor on the fab and legendary Jackie magazine.

I have worked as agony aunt on Shout magazine and also as an art teacher in the local primary & secondary schools, as well as as a freelance illustrator. These days, I am a full-time author.

I love my family, I love living in the middle of nowhere and I love my work. Of all my jobs, writing has to be the best - it's the perfect excuse to daydream, after all!

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really cute! for me anyway!

[Saniya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so cute and sweet and adventurous! My friend suggested me to read this book from the library and honestly I adored this book!

Might contain spoilers!

Characters:
I loved Mouse. He was a lonely-emo sort of character who was poor, his dad ditched him when he was seven, his mom involved in drugs, living in a bad community and thought he could never date a rich girl. On the other hand, Cat was rich and pretty but she lost her brother, no one pays attention to her, was left alone. they were very likable characters. I felt very angry at Cat in the end but I guess she was sort of confused and angry with her life. I mean when I was 12, all I could do is play games and study to get good grades. Last but not the least...Lucky is Lucky! lol xD

Plot:
The Mystery in the end was really good. I was so shocked when she was actually a 12 years old girl. Lmao! and she was Dave's daughter. I am fourteen I was like "Omg! If I dated a 12 year old boy, I would be doomed for life." but it was so sweet when he said that now he didn't care if she's twelve or fourteen and all that matters is she cares about him. I loved it how the author tries to tell us that we should care about each other, shouldn't judge people by how rich they are nor where they live, don't be scared of bad people, stand up for your rights and how to support each other...I loved the ending too...So sad but still a happy ending. =]

So I guess you can see how much I loved this book! Its so sweet and short, you could just read this book if you are in a hurry or you need to read some short cute story book if you have got a lot of time, In my case, I read it because I had a Religion test the day after tomorrow and I needed a short book to read... :D I will give this book 4.5/5 stars =D

[Kayla Victoria]

imagine being called mouse

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deffo read Dizzy first to understand everything. Real head spinner like We were liars. It made my head hurt. Really good book though. it's crazy when mouse sees dizzy andit's crazy when mouse sees dizzy and finn at the ages now

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the few Cathy Cassidy books that I haven't ever actually read before. And I really felt as if I ought to, because my friends have all said it's good, and it sounded pretty interesting, and also, it's told from a boy's perspective (which is unusual in a Cathy Cassidy book), and also, that boy happens to be Mouse, who is my favourite character in my favourite Cathy Cassidy book (that book being 'Dizzy'). So I picked 'Lucky Star' up, and read it in two days, and I wasn't actually disappointed.

So, it's seven years after the events of 'Dizzy' took place, and Mouse is no longer the small, timid seven year old he once was, but is a slightly rebellious boy at the ripe old age of fourteen, living on the notorious Eden Estate with his mum, an ex-drug addict.
Mouse gets into trouble a lot (mostly because what he considers to be 'artwork', other people see as vandalism), his teachers hate him, and school is an utter bore. But Mouse's life is about to change.
Cue Cat, the crazy, quirky, beautiful girl who has just come crashing into Mouse's world, dragging a whole lot of trouble behind her. What starts off as a fun friendship quickly becomes something more, and it is not long before Mouse finds himself living for the time he spends with Cat. Insane, wonderful things happen when they're together, but everyone has secrets, and soon Mouse realises that there can only be one winner in a game of cat and mouse.

I'd like to start off by saying that there was so much about this book that I liked.

Firstly, the age thing. Can we just appreciate that Mouse is fourteen, not twelve, the age that Cathy Cassidy is so fond of? And Cat- she's fourteen too! I relished that fact, until of course, I reached the end, where it was revealed that she was twelve after all. I'll admit, I almost threw my book across the room in frustration at that point, because of Cathy Cassidy's terrible age misjudgement making an unexpected cameo appearance. Well, I mean, fourteen is still a little young to be doing the sort of thing that Mouse does, but at least he has gotten past the whole 'tween' stage. Also, because he was pretty close in age to me, I felt like I identified with him a lot more.
In fact, I really did empathise with Mouse, which I wasn't expecting at all. You know, because he's a boy, which I'm not, and he has a messed up background, which I don't.

I really loved Mouse as a character- he's really developed since -'Dizzy', and has acquired a personality all of his own. The way he described certain situations put a whole new slant of the various issues that having a troubled past can bring, such as drugs, and how they hurt people, which was quite eye-opening.

And also, Cat. She just made the story, really. She was so crazy and cool, and I loved hearing about her insane escapades. She was atypical of a Cathy Cassidy love interest. Firstly, because she was a girl (most of Cathy's other books are told from the perspective of girls, therefore, the love interests are usually guys). Secondly, she had flaws. Although she was beautiful, and had that funny, sassy streak, she was far from perfect, which made her a lot more believable.

Now you're probably wondering: If I liked the book all that much, why did I give it such an average rating? Well, I'll tell you.

It was a brilliant book....by Cathy Cassidy's standards. In comparison to other books, not written by Cathy, well, it was average. See, I rate books based on my enjoyment of them, and how well written they were (intricate plotlines, with shock twists, complex language, etc.), and based on that scale, 'Lucky Star' didn't score very high. I mean, it was aimed at younger readers, younger than myself, and the writing and plot just don't compare to a lot of the books I've read, that have been amazing, and have been awarded a 4 or 5 star rating from me. So, overall, it was worth only 3 stars, because it pales into insignificance besides, for example, 'The Hunger Games' or 'Harry Potter'
I'd rate this book...
6 out of 10 stars.

'I can't tell her that, in my sky, she's the brightest star'- Mouse

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book 💕 Very touching and sad at some points but overall a great book

[Jiayi · Rating 3 out of 5]

plot was ok... Cat honestly pissed me off for most of the book and i feel like she should have been the one who got away in the end. was Not Compelled by the romance

[Bladelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce roman fait suite à La belle étoile mais peut être lu indépendamment. L'histoire est centrée sur le personnage de Mouse.
L'adolescent vit dans un quartier pauvre où il aime taguer les murs la nuit. Au hasard d'une visite chez son assistant social, il rencontre Cat, une jeune fille étrange qui l'attire.

Une fois encore, l'écriture de Cathy Cassidy m'a happée, et j'ai plongé dans ce roman à la vitesse de l'éclair. Chaque nouveau titre de l'auteur est pour moi l'occasion de m'émerveiller sur sa capacité à camper sur le papier des personnages touchants et tellement humains. Ses histoires sont toujours intéressantes, à la lisière entre douceur et amertume. On ne peut qu'embarquer dans ses livres et se laisser porter. L'étoile rebelle ne fait pas exception, c'est un récit beau et triste à la fois, mais duquel se dégage une lumière porteuse d'espoir.
Mouse est un garçon un peu paumé mais foncièrement bon, dont la rencontre avec Cat va chambouler son quotidien.
J'ai aimé ce tome-ci, davantage encore que le précédent.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really easy read, I'd read the book when I was a few years younger and found it in my bookshelves last week and felt the urge to re-read it as I'd loved it the first time.

The story is simple but at the same time beautiful. Mouse is a character you can't help but love despite his initial reckless behavior. His past is heartbreaking and yet he still manages to open up to someone after a bit of a confidence boost.

Cat is the real troublemaker in this book. She's playing the biggest game of all and in the ends gets caught up in her lies because of her own insane idea.

The writing is simple and sweet. We're reading from a 14 year old boy's perspective so the writing style is perfectly adapted.

It's a lovely story with what seems for the first time in Mouse's life to be a happy ending. I enjoyed re-reading this book and re-living a story I loved as a pre-teen.

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathy Cassidy books really remind me of Jacqueline Wilson's books which I loved when I was younger, so I do wish that I have read these earlier as I think I would have really enjoyed it.
Lucky Star is about a boy called Mouse who we met in the book Dizzy, we find out what hes been up to since the events in Dizzy. Hes living with his mum on a council estate which is having trouble with drug dealers. When he goes for a meeting with his social worker he meets a girl called Cat who he develops a friendship/relationship with. But Cat isnt who she seems to be and she has troubles of her own to deal with.
I did love the friendship between Mouse and Cat and did feel sorry for Mouse when Cats secrets were revealed.
Definitely a good book for children who are getting more confident in there reading the book is recommended for children aged 9+.

[Alsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, this is got to be one of the best Cathy Cassidy books. Its very well written, sweet, with a little hint of romance, and the characters were protraying perfectly.



Chapter 18 is so sad, I cried. (seriously, the first time ive cried over a book!) :D

Its filled with sadness, happy moments, excitement almost everything I like in a book.

Mouse, the main character seemed so realistic, like a real person. His emotions were described so well I could understand how he felt.

[Amishka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Star is a brilliant book such a great realationship with Cat and Mouse there is nothing I could that would be negative, would've been amazing if there was ever a sequel to Lucky Star, Cathy Cassidy is an amazing author and is continuing to do brilliant books.

Ps: Loving the new face covers !

[India · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as present from my grandparents in 2008 and never read it. Whilst searching through my bookshelves, I rediscovered it and felt I should probably read it. I finished it in less than four hours and enjoyed it, however I know I would have appreciated it way more when I was younger rather than as a 20 year old.

[Sav · Rating 4 out of 5]

This confirms the truth of the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover'. i picked this book up expecting a girly story with not much substance but has much more reality than i first expected fun to read and fast paced.

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was just a cute, little book that I would probably never would have picked up if it weren't for my friend who suggested the author to me (thanks jo!!). I loved the characters- they were just so fun to read about, and the story was not at all boring.

[Sylvs (NOVELty Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well won’t you look at that? I had a great taste in books when I was little! I was actually surprised at this and honestly expected to cringe because being the age that I am now when you read things you used to like and fangirl about as a kid it can be extremely cringeworthy and embarrassing if you discover it’s actually awful and deserves a 1 star on goodreads.

But thankfully that did not happen with Lucky Star and honestly? I think that it was better than some of the YA that is put onto our shelves. This book is so underappreciated and I think it should get more love because it was super cute and adorable. I seriously recommend this book to everyone even young adult readers who just want to get away from the heavy romances that we see all the time in YA nowadays.

Basically, Mouse is a troubled kid. He lives with his mum in a bad neighbourhood while his dad is in India with a new girlfriend without a care in the world that his son paints graffiti on the streets and gets into a lot of trouble. After many warnings Mouse decides to stay out of trouble until he meets Cat a girl who always tries to land herself in it. But how much does Mouse know of his new friend really? And how much can he trust her?

It was super cute! The romance was light hearted instead of really heavy with them kissing without breathing like those really frantic ones in movies where you honestly can’t help but roll your eyes. This book seemed more real in that aspect and it was a believable story concept and I could believe that this actually happened in London in 2007 (the year of this book’s publication) but I honestly don’t have many criticisms except that I want to read more of her work. It gave readers a sense of hope and I think that that is a theme that should be broader in YA and middle-grade books because I think it is such a necessary theme that should be more approached in today’s society.

All in all, I loved it I think I’m going with a rating of 4.3 stars.

ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS

[Charlotte Edson · Rating 5 out of 5]

14-year-old Mouse has had a tough life. Abandoned by his dad at 7, and growing up in and out of care, he now lives on a dodgy estate in London surrounded by drug dealers and thieves. He also has just been excluded from school. Life isn't going so well. Then he meets Lucky the dog and beautiful Catrin (Cat for short). She's wild, brave and carefree. She's also way out of his league. But, in Mouse's life nothing is easy. His world is full of dangerous people, threatening to take away everything he holds dear. Can he, Lucky and Cat stay together?

This book was very good. However, the story had a lot of shocking things in it. For example, the consistent references to drug use, drug dealers, animal abuse, and crime, was a lot. I wouldn't recommend it to younger readers.

Despite this, some of the things in the story were uplifting, such as the sense of community, and the way the people came together, the sense of moral compass people had. The way Cat and Mouse knew they had to fight for what was right, and hoping to change things.

This book is a sequel to Cathy Cassidy's book Dizzy, but I think it can be read without having read Dizzy.

[lucy, she-her · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’ve read this book countless times, and still love it at the age of 18. it’s not as good as dizzy, in some parts anyway - it starts a bit slow. however, i love all the bits about fighting back - they set a fire in my soul. my favourite bit has always been the bit where everyone chips in to put the flat right, and mouse and magi realise they have more friends than they bargained for. i also appreciate the finn and dizzy bit - and i love how leggit seems to have stayed the same age throughout seven years, haha!
(i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again - a finn-and-dizzy book, please!)
i like how magi ended up with the garden centre guy, and not jake - it was a bit of a plot twist, and it makes sense. it also means less drama for the family in the future (hopefully), and that’s always a good thing. for mouse and his mum, at least.
i also thought the ending was really cute, with cat. and i appreciated the plot twists about her family, though i’ve read the book so many times i know the story by heart now!
would definitely recommend.

[lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!! I don't even know where to start with how much I love this book. Cathy Cassidy is such a brilliant author with the characters and the messages she writes in the stories. This book tackled on more serious and dark themes such as drug abuse, poverty, and trauma, yet I felt that it was handled properly and written out sensitively.

Cat and Mouse are such amazing and well-written characters. Took me awhile before it caught on that they were named as such as a foreshadowing of what their arcs would be. Even with their past traumas and baggage, it was written in such a way that you could empathize even with the wrong actions committed by each character. It wasn't all good for them both, though, it is heartwarming to see how much they worked through their struggles and were the guiding light in each other's path.

P.S. I really loved Finn and Dizzy's cameo in here. It TRULY warmed my heart to still see them together years after anddd ohhh childhood-friends-to-lovers just makes me feel so soft and gooey on the inside. I'm on my way to reread their book because I miss them<33.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the fact that this book isn't for my age category, I still loved it. I used to own this as a kid but barely remembered what happens. I must've remembered a few things because some things seemed familiar to me, but other than that, nothing.

This is a perfect mixture of sweet romance, danger and serious topics, and humour. The plot never feels like it dragged and I would definitely place this in one of my all time favourite books. Cat and Mouse are a sweet couple who have defined and colourful personalities, who are really interesting together. The different themes and aesthetic throughout are also pleasing, especially when you're British yourself and can relate.

Lately, characters from musicals and books have been obsessed with stars, so I'll leave you with:

image:

[phia light · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Star, as I see it, is one of the best books that Cathy Cassidy wrote. It comes from a male perspective, which so far Cathy Cassidy used only three times fo far. The story is intriguing, and I'd love it very much if there was a sequel.

SPOILER ALERT





I feel that Mouse, the main character, has had a troubled past, so he takes a while to open up to Cat. My favourite moment is where Cat finds out about Mouse scars, and how he dreads the moments leading up to it.

Cat has her own secrets, and when Mouse finds out she has lied, he is very angry. I Mouse is disappointed, as he trusted Cat, but Cat didn't, and even build lies to cover the truth.

Over all, Lucky Star is amazing, and I couldn't put it down from the first chapter. I rate it 5/5 stars, and more it I could.

[Mel Jenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always forget how much I enjoy this book until I read it again. Cathy Cassidy often doesn’t write from a male perspective, and yet it never reads false. Lucky Star raises many important social issues - abandoned children, split families, drug addiction and the death of a child - and yet all are handled with the most sensitivity, respect and care. This books shows how it is okay to have issues, but most importantly how to overcome them to make the world a better place. The resurrection of the Eden Estate can be read as a hopeful metaphor for the world, that things can change and be better, brighter and happier. And in the world we live in today, I feel like we need that message now more than ever.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this from a year 5 pupil at a school where I was volunteering. I thought it was cute that they were doing a table top sale, it encourages them to handle money and manage their own finances, which I thought was a great initiative. Plus, she seemed like me when I was little, and had read all the same books!

This book is a late sequel to Dizzy, one of the first favourites of mine when I was a kid. I remember writing to Cathy Cassidy after reading Dizzy and getting a beautiful, hand written reply. I was enchanted with her and read her books religiously. This was a lovely link back into the books that started me off reading, and the ideas explored are great for a younger reader.

[Beth Monk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I am ow older than those who Cathy writes for, but her writing has a way of gripping you. I really enjoyed seeing characters from another book but later down the line. As ever she has written about important issues that need addressing such as drug use, lying and getting communities to work together. these stories are very good at showing children who may be faced with these situations that they aren't alone and enlightens others into the harsh reality of what some people have to go through.

[OthelloPrésente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des romans jeunesse qui abordent délicieusement bien le sujet des addictions aux drogues, de la mythomanie et des différences de classes sociales à l’âge adolescent ? C’est un vrai crime que ces livres ne soient pas encore plus connus tant ils sont riches en termes de messages et se lisent hyper bien (oui oui, même à 24 ans !)

Mouse était un enfant problématique et cleptomane dans le premier tome, ici on le retrouve à presque 15 ans, accro au vandalisme et vivant dans un quartier de dealers… bref, Cathy Cassidy est une incroyable conteuse de romans jeunesse RÉALISTES 🥹

[Trav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book like, 5 years ago, when I was 13 and I remember absolutely loving it. I borrowed it from the library through a friends library card, and read it every day until she harrassed me to return it!

I wish it wasn't out of print and unavailable to my book store, otherwise I would be buying and rereading this in a heartbeat <3

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the bet that i have ever read of cathy cassidy's book. The relationship between a small girl who lies because of fear and a teenage boy who keeps things to himself is a magical story.

[tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book again alone in my pg while my end sems are going on was not something I thought i would ever do. Found this book a couple weeks ago in a book shop and finally reread it and i loved it as much as I did when I first read it.

[Seawood · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet follow-up to Dizzy, Mouse is now 14 and getting into all sorts of confusing bother with the glamorous Cat, Lucky the dog, and a whole lot of spray paint.

[nope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly just remembered I read this in high school and am now nostalgic for the kinds of simple teen books I read back then. I think Cathy Cassidy was one of my favourite authors for this genre.