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Starry Nights
Jess was happy when her family lived by the bay, but something is wrong with their new house. Since her family moved, her sister Vida has become wild and furious and believes in all kinds of strange magic. The children begin to suspect there's a ghost in the house. Jess's brother Clem says that he can see her. Too preoccupied and jumpy, he hasn't even unpacked. Their mother is lying sick in her bedroom upstairs and refuses to talk or come out, which is getting on Jess's nerves. The ghost is definitely starting to appear to Jess -- a fast blur in the corner of her eye, the swish of invisible legs keeping step with her own, the skin-crawling feeling that someone is watching. Who is this ghost and with whom does she want to communicate?
- GenresYoung AdultGhosts
148 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Judith Clarke
50 books22 followersJudith Clarke was born in Sydney and educated at the University of New South Wales and the Australian National University in Canberra. She has worked as a teacher and librarian, and in Adult Education in Victoria and New South Wales.
A major force in YA fiction both in Australia and internationally, Judith Clarke's novels include the multi-award-winning Wolf on the Fold, as well as Friend of my Heart, Night Train, Starry Nights, One Whole and Perfect Day, and the very popular and funny Al Capsella series. She is unsurpassed in her ability to convey complex emotional states with acute understanding and compassion.
A major force in YA fiction both in Australia and internationally, Judith Clarke's novels include the multi-award-winning Wolf on the Fold, as well as Friend of my Heart, Night Train, Starry Nights, One Whole and Perfect Day, and the very popular and funny Al Capsella series. She is unsurpassed in her ability to convey complex emotional states with acute understanding and compassion.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 9, 2022
After a summer tragedy that none of them wishes to speak of, the Sinclair family has moved away from their lovely home by the sea to a sober grey brick house situated in a remote, densely forested part of the Blue Hills. There are three children. Clem, at 17, is the eldest. He spends his days in the garden speaking to a mysterious new friend, Amy, who wears a strange old-fashioned school uniform and who declines to come into the house. Clem can’t seem to settle in at the new place; boxes of his things sit unpacked in his room. There are strange gaps in his memory, and he can’t recall what caused his mother to break down and be hospitalized. He thinks it must’ve been her stressful work as a teacher. He would like to apologize for not listening to her when she may have needed him to. She has now lain in bed for months, mute and inaccessible, tended to by a kind local woman, Mrs. Mack.
Clem’s sisters aren’t doing any better than he is. Jessie, 10, cannot get used to the new house, but more worrying than that is the behaviour of her older sister. Vida, 14, seems very disturbed: she’s volatile, even abusive, and Jess spends most hours of the day attempting to placate her. Like their father and Mrs. Mack, Jess is troubled by the older girl’s intense interest in folklore—ill-willed fairy folk and changelings, spells and incantations. Vida has become very superstitious and insists on performing tasks in an exacting, ordered manner to ward off bad luck; however, it’s Vida’s determination to make contact with the dead that is most alarming. She compels Jess to attend a séance with her in the nearby village, and Vida believes the next step is for the two of them to lay hands on a special planchette designed to receive written messages from those who have passed on. Jess is frightened of dabbling in the occult—even more so, when she begins to catch glimpses of a ghostly girl. Jess worries that the ghost’s intentions are malevolent, that the spirit girl wants to take her sister away. It takes a while to find out what is fuelling Vida’s desire to speak with the dead and why she believes her actions caused her mother’s breakdown.
Clarke’s is an absorbing novel, skillfully and sensitively written, and at times it’s also quite suspenseful. One reads first to understand what the tragedy is that no one in the family can speak about directly, but also to find out who Clem’s mysterious friend is, the identity and intent of the ghost, why Vida is consumed with guilt, and finally to see if the children’s mother and the family as a whole will recover.
I was impressed with this novel, as I have been with many from Clarke. I was saddened to learn that she died in 2020. I hope that her quality fiction for young people will live on.
Clem’s sisters aren’t doing any better than he is. Jessie, 10, cannot get used to the new house, but more worrying than that is the behaviour of her older sister. Vida, 14, seems very disturbed: she’s volatile, even abusive, and Jess spends most hours of the day attempting to placate her. Like their father and Mrs. Mack, Jess is troubled by the older girl’s intense interest in folklore—ill-willed fairy folk and changelings, spells and incantations. Vida has become very superstitious and insists on performing tasks in an exacting, ordered manner to ward off bad luck; however, it’s Vida’s determination to make contact with the dead that is most alarming. She compels Jess to attend a séance with her in the nearby village, and Vida believes the next step is for the two of them to lay hands on a special planchette designed to receive written messages from those who have passed on. Jess is frightened of dabbling in the occult—even more so, when she begins to catch glimpses of a ghostly girl. Jess worries that the ghost’s intentions are malevolent, that the spirit girl wants to take her sister away. It takes a while to find out what is fuelling Vida’s desire to speak with the dead and why she believes her actions caused her mother’s breakdown.
Clarke’s is an absorbing novel, skillfully and sensitively written, and at times it’s also quite suspenseful. One reads first to understand what the tragedy is that no one in the family can speak about directly, but also to find out who Clem’s mysterious friend is, the identity and intent of the ghost, why Vida is consumed with guilt, and finally to see if the children’s mother and the family as a whole will recover.
I was impressed with this novel, as I have been with many from Clarke. I was saddened to learn that she died in 2020. I hope that her quality fiction for young people will live on.
January 27, 2017
Jess moves with her family in the suburbs for her mom can be happy because she was suffuring from a nervous breakdown. Where they live its a very quiet place. In the house Vida her little sister becomes obssesed with witchcraft and Spirits and tries to pull Jess with her. Their brother Clem made a friend. Amy who early resembles one of their mother's childhood friends. There was the ghost that is haunting their house. The part that got my attention is when the Paranormal Activity happened. This book is full of mysterious and self-discovery. The genre of this book is ghost stories/paranormal.
Where Jessica's Family moved was in an isolated house. The setting is the isolated house, haunted by a ghost. The conflict of this story is person vs. Supernatural. Jessica's mom suffers from a nervous breakdown the cause of her illness is not named but it seems connected to Jessica's irritation fear water her older sister Vita sudden interest in spirits and older brother Clem private meeting with the mysterious school girl named Amy Who supposeably is there mother's childhood friends. That's when they start getting haunted by a ghost.
The title Starry NIght goes wit the book because in the night is when they noticed that a ghost was haunting them. Wen there was wierd sounds in the night . Another theme for this book is good will always conquer evil.
Ithought this book was a good example of a book that shows supernatrual activity. I like this book the author wrote this book really good because the tone of how he wrote it really mad it sound mysterious.
This book was in the middle of good . I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, because i like these kind of book like supernatrual fiction book. this book is filled full of mystery. I recommend thsi book to people that like reading supernatrual / mystery.
Where Jessica's Family moved was in an isolated house. The setting is the isolated house, haunted by a ghost. The conflict of this story is person vs. Supernatural. Jessica's mom suffers from a nervous breakdown the cause of her illness is not named but it seems connected to Jessica's irritation fear water her older sister Vita sudden interest in spirits and older brother Clem private meeting with the mysterious school girl named Amy Who supposeably is there mother's childhood friends. That's when they start getting haunted by a ghost.
The title Starry NIght goes wit the book because in the night is when they noticed that a ghost was haunting them. Wen there was wierd sounds in the night . Another theme for this book is good will always conquer evil.
Ithought this book was a good example of a book that shows supernatrual activity. I like this book the author wrote this book really good because the tone of how he wrote it really mad it sound mysterious.
This book was in the middle of good . I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, because i like these kind of book like supernatrual fiction book. this book is filled full of mystery. I recommend thsi book to people that like reading supernatrual / mystery.
October 24, 2019
good book
May 1, 2020
Dies ist meine persönliche Meinung. Meine Meinung wurde nicht gefälscht. Alles was ich schreibe kommt von mir. Falls Du das Buch lesen möchtest, bitte ich dich, bei den Buchhandlungen deines Vertrauens oder bei den kleineren zu kaufen. Sie brauchen unsere Unterstützung. Dieses Buch habe ich auf Youtube im Gelesene Bücher November vorgestellt. Schaut gerne darin vorbei. Freue mich auf Euren Besuch
Ich habe das Buch früher schon mal gelesen, aber ich konnte mich nicht mehr erinnern. Es hat irgend wie geradezu meiner Phase gepasst, weil es um eine Jenseits und Diesseits Geschichte geht.
Das Buchcover ist wie immer nett gestaltet. Die Farben sind in Ordnung, Passt meiner Meinung nach zum Thema.
Es geht um die Kinder Clem, Vida und Jess. Die Kinder haben früher in Avalon gewohnt. Sie sind umgezogen in einem neuen Haus und Vida hat das Problem, das sie etwas schreckliches getan hat, sonst wäre ihre Mutter nämlich nicht krank und würde nicht im Bett liegen. Vida tut alles um den „Geist“ in Frieden zu bringen und versucht vor allem auch Kontakt aufzunehmen. Sie zieht ihre vierzehnjährige Schwester damit rein. Sie ist wirklich sehr eigen, denn sie glaubt, das man mit dem rechten Schuh anzieht Glück bringt und andersherum Unglück. Sie glaubt, sie ist ein Pechvogel und zieht ebenfalls Jess damit rein und Clem. Hat seine Kisten nicht ausgepackt und irgend wie merkt er nicht was Sache ist. Die vierzehnjährige Jess, sieht die Geistergestalt und wird von Vida ziemlich aggressiv behandelt und miserabel angesprochen.
Irgend wie kam das Buch zu mir, weil der inhalt und auch „Avalon“ voll zu mir passt. Wie ihr wisst, bin ich spirituell, lege Karten und kommuniziere mit den Erzengeln und Avalon gehört auch zu den spirituellen. Auf jeden Fall war ich anfangs irritiert was mit Clem ist und wieso keiner mitbekam, dass er da war, aber irgend wann wurde mir klar, was es war.
Das die Familie natürlich komisch und schräg guckte, weil Vida glaubte, sie sei verflucht und man darf keine Eier essen oder ähnliches, kommt mir bekannt vor. Allerdings hat mich Vidas Art ein wenig gestört. Die war wirklich drüber. Die Geschichte ist spannend geschrieben, flüssig und auch sehr traurig. Für mich war das kein Thriller, sondern einfach eine echte Geschichte,
Ich habe das Buch früher schon mal gelesen, aber ich konnte mich nicht mehr erinnern. Es hat irgend wie geradezu meiner Phase gepasst, weil es um eine Jenseits und Diesseits Geschichte geht.
Das Buchcover ist wie immer nett gestaltet. Die Farben sind in Ordnung, Passt meiner Meinung nach zum Thema.
Es geht um die Kinder Clem, Vida und Jess. Die Kinder haben früher in Avalon gewohnt. Sie sind umgezogen in einem neuen Haus und Vida hat das Problem, das sie etwas schreckliches getan hat, sonst wäre ihre Mutter nämlich nicht krank und würde nicht im Bett liegen. Vida tut alles um den „Geist“ in Frieden zu bringen und versucht vor allem auch Kontakt aufzunehmen. Sie zieht ihre vierzehnjährige Schwester damit rein. Sie ist wirklich sehr eigen, denn sie glaubt, das man mit dem rechten Schuh anzieht Glück bringt und andersherum Unglück. Sie glaubt, sie ist ein Pechvogel und zieht ebenfalls Jess damit rein und Clem. Hat seine Kisten nicht ausgepackt und irgend wie merkt er nicht was Sache ist. Die vierzehnjährige Jess, sieht die Geistergestalt und wird von Vida ziemlich aggressiv behandelt und miserabel angesprochen.
Irgend wie kam das Buch zu mir, weil der inhalt und auch „Avalon“ voll zu mir passt. Wie ihr wisst, bin ich spirituell, lege Karten und kommuniziere mit den Erzengeln und Avalon gehört auch zu den spirituellen. Auf jeden Fall war ich anfangs irritiert was mit Clem ist und wieso keiner mitbekam, dass er da war, aber irgend wann wurde mir klar, was es war.
Das die Familie natürlich komisch und schräg guckte, weil Vida glaubte, sie sei verflucht und man darf keine Eier essen oder ähnliches, kommt mir bekannt vor. Allerdings hat mich Vidas Art ein wenig gestört. Die war wirklich drüber. Die Geschichte ist spannend geschrieben, flüssig und auch sehr traurig. Für mich war das kein Thriller, sondern einfach eine echte Geschichte,
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December 12, 2015Jess moves with her family to a quiet house in the Suburbs for her mom to recover from a nervous breakdown. In this house her sister Vida becomes obsessed with witchcraft and Spirits and tries to Jess to join her. Their brother Clem makes a new friend, Amy, who eerily resembles one of their mother's childhood friends. There is a ghost that is haunting their house. The tension builds with more supernatural activity. This book is full of mystery and self discovery.
This book was okay. It seemed to be on the younger end of young-adult literature. It was a good level of supernatural and horror for young readers. This book wasn't my favorite but it was good to go out of my comfort zone and read something different. The story takes place in Australia so it was good to read an author from another country with a different perspective.
Content warning: witch craft and spirits
This book was okay. It seemed to be on the younger end of young-adult literature. It was a good level of supernatural and horror for young readers. This book wasn't my favorite but it was good to go out of my comfort zone and read something different. The story takes place in Australia so it was good to read an author from another country with a different perspective.
Content warning: witch craft and spirits
June 12, 2011
Das Gruseligste an diesem Buch war für mich die große Schwester Vida.
Spaß bei Seite. Also "Sternennächte" ist eine schöne paranormale Geschichte für Teenager, die auch mir Lesespaß bereitet hat. Eine Inhaltsbewertung spare ich mir, da das Buch ja nicht allzu lang ist. Aber wer Freude an Paranormalem jenseits von Vampiren, Werwölfen hat und eine nicht zu lange unterhaltsame Geschichte sucht, ist mit diesem Buch gut beraten.
Spaß bei Seite. Also "Sternennächte" ist eine schöne paranormale Geschichte für Teenager, die auch mir Lesespaß bereitet hat. Eine Inhaltsbewertung spare ich mir, da das Buch ja nicht allzu lang ist. Aber wer Freude an Paranormalem jenseits von Vampiren, Werwölfen hat und eine nicht zu lange unterhaltsame Geschichte sucht, ist mit diesem Buch gut beraten.
February 8, 2010
This was an easy little read that I picked up at the library. It was okay...a little predictable but that's just me, but it's alright. It takes after the cliche paranormal stuff where strange things happen in the "new" house and the strange girl starts seeing stuff, but overall it was not that bad.
October 24, 2008
That older sisters are SCARY! hahhaha
It was just Veda (:
It was just Veda (:
July 11, 2015
Not the best book that I have read, but I think that it is a good beginner book for paranormal fiction.
November 18, 2007
Australian ghost story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews