Winter Sky

by Patricia Reilly Giff

Sirens! A scary sound, especially to Siria, whose brave pop is a firefighter. Siria loves everyone at Pop's city firehouse. She also loves to study the stars. Her mother named her after the brightest start in the winter sky.   
   When Siria hears sirens, she sneaks out to chase the trucks, to bring Pop and the other firefighters luck. She'd be in big trouble if she ever got caught. Good thing her best friend, Douglas, is always by her side.
   As Christmas approaches, Siria suspects that someone in the neighborhood is setting fires. She has to find out who's doing it. When clues point to a surprising suspect, she realizes that solving this mystery will take all kinds of courage.
   Patricia Reilly Giff, the author of many beloved and award-winning books, is at her best in this action-packed story. In Winter Sky, friends, family, and a very special dog help Siria see how brave she really is.


Nominated to the Arkansas Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Novels

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books, the Friends and Amigos books, and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. They include The Gift of the Pirate Queen; All the Way Home; Water Street; Nory Ryan's Song, a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction; and the Newbery Honor Books Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. Lily's Crossing was also chosen as a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.

Reviews

[Library Lady 📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about this book that I didn't like. It was nothing objectionable. It just didn't catch my attention the way I would have liked. My son, who listened to it with me, also wasn't impressed.

The story follows Sirius, named for the star, as she tries to solve a mystery of who is starting fires around her neighborhood. And though it COULD have been a good mystery, and I didn't guess the culprit ahead of time, I just didn't love it. It was very short, and maybe that was part of it. It wasn't well-developed enough to get into anything in depth. I think it could have been a really great book, if it had been about twice as long. But it was sort of surface, and the writing was so simplistic it was almost choppy.

Overall, this is an okay book, it just didn't grab me.

[Adia]

the review of my 14-year-old self: "sooo boring".

[Rosalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siria's family consists of her pa, her babysitter Mimi and herself. Siria's mother died when she was very young but Siria vaguely remembers her mother whispering to her, "take care of your pa". Siria lives on the 7th floor of an old apartment building and spends much of her time sitting on the fire escape looking at the winter sky for the star she was named after. Every time Syria hears a siren she runs to the fire escape to see her father's fire truck is racing down the street. Then she grabs her coat, sneaks out of the apartment and hops on her bike to chase the truck to the fire. Syria never lets her dad see that she is at the fire and as soon as it's out she quickly returns to her apartment building. Lately, though small fires have been started close to her building and Siria wonders if these fires are being set. Siria begins to investigate and all of the clues are pointing to her best friend Douglas who lives in the same building. Siria can't believe Douglas would commit arson! Should she tell her dad? If she does she'll will have to admit to fire chasing and then she will be able to take care of him like her mother asked her to do.

This is a good book for middle grade readers. It has a mystery and a struggle with right and wrong. There's also a lesson on jumping to the wrong conclusion and how it can lead you in the wrong direction.

[Y · Rating 2 out of 5]

There sure are a lot of fires in this little community that a young girl is within walking/biking distance to. Why is that? Never explained. Most things aren't explained very well. What's with the stars/constellation themes? No idea, it's just kind of there. (The ties of the dog stars, and Siria being named for Sirius, and there being a dog in the book are all superficial.) Conflicts come up now and then and are solved with amazing ease. Not a terrible book, but inconsequential and dull. The most important takeaway is learning what it means to be selfless ("It's all about the rescue"), I suppose, which is a theme better implemented than the "stars" factor. I personally don't think many children of the target audience will be very impressed. (Though a kid getting to keep a dog is always a bright spot.)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story

[Angie Fehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siria has a love of astronomy she inherited from her late mother, her name itself inspired by the stars. Now being raised by her firefighter father and the neighbor down the hall, Siria spends much of her time bonding with her friends and worrying over her father's dangerous job. She's developed a habit of sneaking out of their apartment late at night (when she's left with the neighbor-babysitter) to follow sirens and make sure her dad is okay.

This Christmas season, there has been a rash of fires close together cropping up in Siria's neighborhood. She begins to suspect arson. She also wants to find out the story of the mysterious stray dog who seems to keep following her around. With her friends Douglas and Laila, she sets out to find the truth. Answers are revealed, but the truth hits uncomfortably close to home.

Each chapter starts with a short legend regarding the constellations. It takes the form of an astronomy book that once belonged to Siria's mother. These legends serve as a sort of foreshadowing to events that are about to unfold in Siria's life in the chapter ahead.

The story itself is not all that complex. Giff could've gone a little deeper with it to really get that emotional punch. But what is here is still enough to pull at the heartstrings a bit. Siria learns tough lessons in the dangers of jumping to conclusions and the strength that can come from placing unshakable faith and trust in family and friends.

[Sheila Coburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I just had winter sky on my list at the library. This is a first, but I meant to check out the book Winter Sky by Chris Stewart. I just googled Winter sky and this came up. I didn’t realize till I went to write the book review that I had accidentally found another book with a different title that just popped up. It was an OK story but it was just a story. There really wasn’t much content to the book.
Sirens! A scary sound, especially to Siria, whose brave pop is a firefighter. Siria loves everyone at Pop's city firehouse. She also loves to study the stars. Her mother named her after the brightest start in the winter sky.
When Siria hears sirens, she sneaks out to chase the trucks, to bring Pop and the other firefighters luck. She'd be in big trouble if she ever got caught. Good thing her best friend, Douglas, is always by her side.
As Christmas approaches, Siria suspects that someone in the neighborhood is setting fires. She has to find out who's doing it. When clues point to a surprising suspect, she realizes that solving this mystery will take all kinds of courage.
Patricia Reilly Giff, the author of many beloved and award-winning books, is at her best in this action-packed story. In Winter Sky, friends, family, and a very special dog help Siria see how brave she really is.

[Lexi Bollino · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the book really could have been amazing, but some parts in the book didn’t sit right with me.

I also think that throughout the entire book she didn’t give the characters much conflict and didn’t develop the characters very well. The last couple chapters I thought were very unnecessary, she could have wrapped those chapters into one.

I feel like for most of the boom Siria was a very brave person but when she confronted mike on being an arson she gave up to quickly, which didn’t match with what I got out of her personality. The dialogue in this book could have been way better than it was and needed more detail.

This book was also just very confusing I mean first she was chasing fires, then she wanted to help a dog, and then figure out who was setting fires. Giff made this way to confusing to find the point of the book because according to the summary the book is about who started the fires but half of the time the book was focused on the dog. She should have just had one point, or goal in the end of the book.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

You're lying awake in bed when all of a sudden, the wail of sirens and the rumble of fire truck engines break the silence. That's your cue. You have to make sure he's safe. After all, you're his lucky star!

Eleven-year-old Siria, named after Sirius, the brightest star in the winter sky, has a secret: she and her best friend, Douglas, chase after fire trucks, just to make sure her dad and the other firefighters are safe. She'd be in huge trouble if she were ever caught! But then, someone starts setting fires, and Siria is determined to find out who and why. Could it be arson? An accident? Along with a new four-legged friend, she musters strength and courage she was unaware she had to try and solve this mystery.

I really enjoyed Winter Sky. This middle grade novel is short yet action-packed and is sure to appeal to anyone who likes a good mystery as well as a positive message.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Siria hears sirens headed for a fire, she follows. Her father is a fireman and she is scared he will get hurt.
Things change when Siria spots several small fires in the neighborhood. Who is setting them? Is it arson? And how does it involve her friend Douglas?
Then there is the dog that looks like a wolf. It has a rope collar and drags a chain.
The rescue is the thing, the best part of being a fireman or, possibly, of being anyone.
Siria is named for the dog star Sirius, brightest star in the winter sky. Canus major, the great dog, follows Orion, the hunter, across the winter sky and is followed by Canus minor, the little dog. Her mother wrote a personal book about the stars and their stories. these are interwoven into the narrative.
The book is easy to follow and keeps the reader's or listener's interest. I listened to the audio version. It is easy to listen to and well done.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gag! Was this a kids book? Talk about boring a kid to death and make them not read anymore. The language is too infintile though for a YA or even a middle grade reader. It jsut didn't fit anywhere. I had to finally start skipping bits of the book. I never did figure out who the fire starter was. I didn't care enouch to go back and try to figure it out either.
I picked it up based on cover and back blurb. I should look these books up on on Goodreads first.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. A little rushed, but I liked the star stories immensely and how Siria was able to repair her friendship with Douglas even after jumping to conclusions. I love the significance of found family as well as how Patricia Reilly Giff often talks about mixed families and pays attention to those with special needs in her stories. And the importance of rescue and adoptions too, as well as thank goodness the stray dog was taken care of, and the rescued cat!

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giff always hits the mark with young people facing ordinary adversities. This one, with the fireman father, caretaker neighbor, school friends and an ugly duckling dog who becomes a swan after a bath, is great for teaching not to jump to unwarranted conclusions.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on tape. Little mystery but written for a younger audience so not to complex of a plot. Main character very likable in what was a believable story.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick, easy read, with an easy-to-follow plot (I believe. Again, I don't remember how it was when I read it).

[Richard Bunaskavich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cool trying to figure out the mystery of the fires going around town and the small little stories about the constellations.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story. Children who find a mystery, and loyalty in the mediocre things of life. And a great dog

[KieraK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This held my almost 9yo's attention better than mine.

[Kandyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story, I would have liked to have had “more”.

[Carla "Kar" Schmidt Holloway · Rating 1 out of 5]

Content warning: racial slur (anti Roma g slur)

[Samira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author but this was not one of her better books. It jumped around too much and didn’t grab me like the other ones usually do.

[Kassie Rybeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little mystery for the higher readers in my classroom. Wasn’t my cup of tea but it definitely made a stop, think and question.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siria is worried about her father who is a fireman, and after the death of her mother she feels like she has to keep him safe. So whenever she hears sirens, Siria sneaks out of the apt and chases the firetruck to make sure Pop is safe. On her trips, Siria discovers that someone is setting fires in the neighborhood. She takes in on herself to save the fire house by figuring this mystery out on her own, but she soon discovers that tiny clues can possibly lead to hasty conclusions that can ruin friendships. She also takes in on herself to help out the mangy dog running around town.

This is a pretty short book, so several of the elements in this story: Siria's control issues/grief issues, her desire for a dog, and the arson mystery all feel like they are dealt with somewhat superficially. So while I wasn't completely satisfied (because I wanted more depth) I also understood that wasn't Giff's goal. She provides a lighter realistic read perfect for the reluctant reader who might get bogged down by further details. And honestly, there is just enough in the detail department to provide everything essential to the story. Still, adult readers and more avid readers may come away from this book still hungry for more. As it is, I felt it did a realistic job portraying a common response to the death of a loved one (the feeling it is on your shoulders to keep everyone else safe). I liked Siria's friendship with the neighbor kids, and that one has special needs and Siria loves her just the way she is, but that doesn't hijack the story. The dog could have easily taken over the story too, but he doesn't. Everyone/everything secondary in the story really does help show readers a better picture of who Siria is, but they're nice additions in their own right. And I think that shows a great deal of writing skill on Giff's part. The only thing I did not necessarily like the way the arson situation was resolved; it seemed a bit too neat and somewhat selfish on Siria's part, but I think that is mostly a hazard of the concise nature of the book. The arson turns out to be a homeless teen setting small fires to try and stay warm. None of them gets out of hand. The teen at the end says he's headed back home, and when Siria confronts him she demands her mittens back even though he is not leaving till the next day and is still freezing...I would have preferred some generosity on Siria's part. A nice quick realistic mystery for reluctant readers. This would be a good pick for kids going through the grief/control issues Siria has because it isn't necessarily spelled out for you, but she does deal with it along the course of the story. It would be easy for children with similar issues to see how it was bad for Siria, and then possibly help them relax control themselves.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. A broken rib and leg are the worst injuries suffered during one of the fires. Siria and the neighbor kids are often out running around the streets alone at night and get into several potentially dangerous situations, but they always turn out ok.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children are often filled with anxiety that we may not know about, which is why a book like Winter Sky can be a good choice. It's helpful for them to see that others are going through the same fears that they are. In Winter Sky, Siria, named after the star Sirius by her deceased mother, uses the stories and legends that her mother told her about the stars, to make decisions in her life.

Her father is a firefighter, and Siria believes that she is his good luck charm. So when she hears the sirens sound at night, and knows her father is on, she sneaks out of her apartment, accompanied by her best friend, Douglas, and chases the fire. Her dad is the one who often has to go up in the ladder, rescuing people trapped in the apartments and abandoned warehouses around the city. He's good at his job, and has received many citations for his bravery, but nonetheless, Siria jsut can't relax until she knows her father is safe. Siria knows she will get in big trouble if she ever gets caught, but she risks that danger, certain that if she's not there something will happen.

The story becomes something of a mystery, though, when Siria, ever watching the sky at night, begins to see signs that someone is setting fires around the neighborhood. She can't tell her dad, because she knows she'll get in big trouble for chasing fires, but she's determined to put a stop to it, and begins the dangerous job of investigating the sites. When one investigation leads her to save a stray dog from a sewer pipe, she begins to realize how special that feeling is when you save a living being. When the clues begin to lead to an unlikely suspect, however, Siria has to lean on the wisdom from her mother's stories to determine what to do next.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Siria's mother has passed away and she lives with her father in an apartment. Her father is a firefighter and she doesn't like it when he is called away to fight a fire. In fact, she sneaks out of the apartment and follows the sirens to make sure that all of the firefighters end up okay. As the calls begin to happen more and more often, Siria and her best friend Douglas need to find out if there is an arson in their midst.

My thoughts:
This is an okay book. I understood the motivations behind the characters based upon a general feeling about them, but Giff does not fully develop each one. This may be because she is writing for a middle grade audience, but she spent more time developing the plot than the characters in it. The mystery is easy to follow and it is clear who the culprit is early on in the novel. Nothing really shocked me, but it may be surprising to a younger reader. I would say that 4th-5th grade would be the target audience. The writing style and language fits that group. The biggest disappointment to me was the ending. I was not satisfied and felt like it was portraying an image that we shouldn't be teaching children.

[Joan Roll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Siria’s mother has died but she loved stars and named her daughter after the star Sirius. Siria’s father is a firefighter so Siria fears for his safety when he is on duty and gets a call to put out a fire. Since he works the night shift, Siria sneaks out at night to chase the trucks to the fire so she can make sure that her dad is okay. When she is out, she notices a stray dog that she soon befriends and hopes to make her pet. She also notices that someone is setting small fires and she worries that there is an arsonist in the area. These fires are another cause for her concern about her father’s safety and so she sets out to discover who is setting the fires.

This is a book about family, friendships, firefighting, pets, arson, bravery, and stars. An important additional theme is that one should not jump to conclusions without having all of the facts. This middle grade book addresses a lot of topics in a small number of pages. Young readers will love that Siria friends the stray dog. And the book has a warm fuzzy ending that ties everything together appropriately for the middle grade reader.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spare prose Patricia Reilly Giff tells the story of Siria, an eleven-year-old whose father is a fireman. As her only surviving parent Siria worries about his safety and secretly follows him to the dangerous fires he faces with the rest of the fire fighters in his station. When she suspects arson is occurring, Siria makes a series of suspenseful, and scary secret missions around the neighborhood pursuing possible suspects. Named after a star in the constellation Canis Major, Serius (the feminine ending is Seria) Giff deftly weaves tales of the constellations into the story as Seria recalls her mother's tales about the stars. This is a powerful short book about an extended family who find important ways to support one another and share their gifts, even when they survive on very little. Young readers will love the suspense and impossible to suppress gutsy spirit of this brave young heroine.

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. The suspense mixed in with the astronomy tales was well written. The cover art with the contrast of the cold frozen ground with the fire blazing and a girl running will certainly intrigue a young reader and make them want to pick up the book to read. The text will not disappoint as the mystery of who is setting the fires and Siria's push to find the culprit will keep the reader engaged right to the end. The ending is somewhat anti-climatic and the text just seems to end with the solution on an abrupt note. It was not as filled out and leaves the reader with some loose ends but this should not stop one from reading the book as the tale itself takes one on a journey with a girl who just wants to make sure her dad, a firefighter stays safe. I really liked the intermingling of the tales about the constellations and how they relate to the characters or the text of the story.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter Sky

Siria is a young girl living with her dad. Her mom who died gave Siria the name after Sirius - the brightest star during January. When there was a fire, she chased her Dad's fire truck. Siria thought as long as she was there Pops, her dad, would be safe. She found a dog dirty and hungry, took it home, bathed it, and fed it. She later called it major. Earlier that week she found someone setting fires and thought that her dog, Major, who used to wander the streets had a connection with the fire setting. I thought this book was good. I gave it four stars because it was a bit slow in the beginning. It was very sweet when after Siria gave major a bathed and brushed him they fell asleep on the bathroom floor. I would recommend this book to my friends. This book got better and better towards the end. I am glad I took the time to read this book.