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STARS by Eric Walters
Joseph had never known that the sky could be so big, but somehow out in the wilderness everything was clearer. Maybe he had just been too busy stealing and running and hiding from the cops to look up. Or maybe being stuck with a stupid bunch of losers and social workers was beginning to get to him. Whatever it was, the sky was huge, and filled with stars. And the stars were what Joseph liked best.
Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
10 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
156 books908 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 13, 2024
One of my favourite books of all time. Couldn't count how many times I've read it.
November 21, 2019
this story truly grows on you from the begging where Joseph is working for a mobster to transforming
to this guy that everyone loves and ends up helping everyone. this book is just a lesson saying that everybody can change and start a new. This genre is truly appealing to me it keeps you interested in the book while still teaching you a lesson. I would heavily suggest this to someone who likes survival and is in there mid teen it just makes sense to them and it is a really interesting book.
to this guy that everyone loves and ends up helping everyone. this book is just a lesson saying that everybody can change and start a new. This genre is truly appealing to me it keeps you interested in the book while still teaching you a lesson. I would heavily suggest this to someone who likes survival and is in there mid teen it just makes sense to them and it is a really interesting book.
January 17, 2023
This book came into my life at a certain, perfect time. It quickly became a favourite and even though I'm now an adult this will forever be in my favourite book category ❤ It's an absolutely beautiful book and I felt as if I was living in it, thank you Eric Walters! I've read it multiple times.
August 2, 2022
One of my favourite books of all time. Couldn't count how many times I've read it.
June 7, 2020
Joseph was a juvenile delinquent. While running away from the cops because of stealing an expensive car he ended up in a bad accident. After he was discharged from the hospital he had to go on a wilderness trip with a couple of social workers and a group of boys who were also in trouble with the law. There the boys learned skills that would benefit them when the test came.
August 9, 2021
This YA fiction book was one of my first introductions to the idea that someone could, through their hurt and brokenness, make really bad mistakes and end up in a dark place, and yet find redemption and hope. I picked it up again a few years ago, and while now dated, it was just as meaningful to me now.
October 10, 2019
I read this forever ago, whenI was about 12 years old I think, and this books impacts me to this dya. Story of powerful friendship, and not to judge people by the way they look. There's always more
July 26, 2020
My favourite coming of age book
August 23, 2011
The first time I read this was in the ninth grade, we had to read it together as a class. In my head I just thought that this was going to be another dull read, but this novel changed my mind completely.
At the beginning Joseph was a complete rebel; stealing cars and selling the parts to make a living. But as you go along with him on his journey, you see him become more mature and grow into a whole new individual. What I liked about Joseph is yes he was a bit stubborn when he was introduced to the program stars, but underneath he really has a good heart. He just needed a bit of guidance to show him that it isn't the end and that he isn't alone when it seems like it's rock bottom. Joseph is just a strong bold character, there's no better way Walters could have made the protagonist.
In the long range the plot was fantastic! The boy's face tasks which test their strength, not only physically but emotionally as well. From running for kilometers for a piece of breakfast, to battling a grizzly bear. Throughout all of their hard work, it also allowed them to understand themselves and see the world in a whole new perspective. I really really really savored this book. I just loved how you can go on this journey with the boys and just see how they blossom into new individuals because of this extreme experience.
Walter's did beyond an excellent job! This book will keep you on your toe's and constantly turning the page yearning for more.
At the beginning Joseph was a complete rebel; stealing cars and selling the parts to make a living. But as you go along with him on his journey, you see him become more mature and grow into a whole new individual. What I liked about Joseph is yes he was a bit stubborn when he was introduced to the program stars, but underneath he really has a good heart. He just needed a bit of guidance to show him that it isn't the end and that he isn't alone when it seems like it's rock bottom. Joseph is just a strong bold character, there's no better way Walters could have made the protagonist.
In the long range the plot was fantastic! The boy's face tasks which test their strength, not only physically but emotionally as well. From running for kilometers for a piece of breakfast, to battling a grizzly bear. Throughout all of their hard work, it also allowed them to understand themselves and see the world in a whole new perspective. I really really really savored this book. I just loved how you can go on this journey with the boys and just see how they blossom into new individuals because of this extreme experience.
Walter's did beyond an excellent job! This book will keep you on your toe's and constantly turning the page yearning for more.
May 6, 2015
Author: Eric Walters
Genre: Adventure and realistic fiction
Age Group: 10+
5 stars
The book “Stars” was an adventurous and realistic fiction book. The book was very amusing and the book was very hard to put down. In the beginning Eric introduced Joseph. Joseph is a intelligent fourteen-year old boy. His job was to steal cars and give them to his boss the “Mobster.”
One night he stole and BMW 535i and when he was in a high police chase he crashed his car. So he gets send to the hospital for a couple of weeks because he hurt his head and fractured his leg. After he got out of the hospital he went up north to the wilderness and they were in a group of 10 called “Stars.” There were eight kids and two supervisors. The two supervisors names were Stan and Gord. So they went on a camping/survival trip for two weeks. During that time they did a bunch of team bonding activities.
Genre: Adventure and realistic fiction
Age Group: 10+
5 stars
The book “Stars” was an adventurous and realistic fiction book. The book was very amusing and the book was very hard to put down. In the beginning Eric introduced Joseph. Joseph is a intelligent fourteen-year old boy. His job was to steal cars and give them to his boss the “Mobster.”
One night he stole and BMW 535i and when he was in a high police chase he crashed his car. So he gets send to the hospital for a couple of weeks because he hurt his head and fractured his leg. After he got out of the hospital he went up north to the wilderness and they were in a group of 10 called “Stars.” There were eight kids and two supervisors. The two supervisors names were Stan and Gord. So they went on a camping/survival trip for two weeks. During that time they did a bunch of team bonding activities.
May 7, 2015
I really like this book but i thick it deserves a 3.5 it was well written but there were some run on sentences. I think the age group is 10-15. This book had a really interesting plot. Joseph’s life was a mess, his dads an alcoholic, mom left him, and Joseph boosts cars, but that all changed when Joseph got in a car crash. Now Joseph get to do what most kids would like to do in the summer go to a camp full of people like him with only two counselors. Camping has changed Joseph hes now wondering whether he should go back to a chop shop or get hold of his life and help his dad with his alcohol problem. What will he do? Will he get hold of his life or through the chance for change?
May 7, 2015
Stars
I think that stars would be a good age for 8+ because some part of the book is wordy and you have to put some parts of the book together for it to make sense. I am giving the book stars 4 (Out of five) because some parts of the book was exciting but other parts of the book was boring.Joseph’s background, his dad is an alcoholic and Joseph doesn't have any friends so he resorts to stealing.In the story Joseph and the grupe learns how to find food if he is lost at a camp or if he trys to get away from the camp.
I think that stars would be a good age for 8+ because some part of the book is wordy and you have to put some parts of the book together for it to make sense. I am giving the book stars 4 (Out of five) because some parts of the book was exciting but other parts of the book was boring.Joseph’s background, his dad is an alcoholic and Joseph doesn't have any friends so he resorts to stealing.In the story Joseph and the grupe learns how to find food if he is lost at a camp or if he trys to get away from the camp.
May 7, 2015
The book stars was well written and deserves 3.5 stars because it was confusing here and there, but all and all a grate book. I would think anybody 7+ could and should read it. I liked this book because, the beginning of the book was about a boy who stole a BMW and crashes it then he goes to the, hospital and after that he goes to camp.
June 11, 2015
2.5 stars
The first couple chapters made me very confident this was going to be a great book. But I was obviously I was too confident because 80% of the book sucked. Repetitive, boring and the characters were all quite annoying to me.
The first couple chapters made me very confident this was going to be a great book. But I was obviously I was too confident because 80% of the book sucked. Repetitive, boring and the characters were all quite annoying to me.
October 5, 2009
Excellent Children's book.
May 19, 2010
Joseph is a very classic kind of guy, makes the story exiting!
May 27, 2012
this used to be one of my favourite books, but its such an easy read and not as good a read as it used to be. I do like eric walters as a writer though, i just think im getting a little old for it.
October 19, 2012
Read in grade 7
November 24, 2015
It was great!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews