Leona's Unlucky Mission

Star Darlings #3

by Shana Muldoon Zappa, Ahmet Zappa, Walt Disney Company (Illustrator)

Leona thinks she is the center of the universe, and can be quite bossy. She must recognize that the world does not revolve around her while not losing her powerful self-confidence.

Leona expects all conversations with the other girls to be about Leona which often leads to arguments between her and her friends.

Leona's mission: Leona helps girl named Sydney who wants to compete in her boarding school's talent show but lacks the confidence to even try out. Leona struggles with anything that gets in the way of her being the center of attention. Thus, Leona plans to sing a duet with Sydney which, again, puts Leona on stage instead of allowing Sydney to shine. Her fellow Star Darlings come down to get her back on track.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Boarding School, Science Fiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2016

Reviews

[Linda Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 read, if only because I can’t stand Leona. 😬

[c.norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Really 3.5 stars, but still...)

One the one hand, "Leona's Unlucky Mission" expands on some of the plot points from the previous book, and that's a good thing, but unfortunately not a lot of what was introduced in the last book gets resolved in this book. Other than Leona's mission, it feels like nothing else makes too much progress.

And what's worse is that after Leona's mission is over, we have yet another mystery.

Maybe that's part of why I felt like the Wishworld portion of this book was more interesting. Also, Leona's wisher had a wish that felt more personal and relatable to me, so I actually got a little misty when it came true.

Overall, still a good read, but not enough gets resolved to earn it more than 3-3.5 stars.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leona is a girl with huge dreams involving plenty of stardom, so it's a good thing she has her friends to help her from getting a swelled head - but the growing tension between the Star Darlings and the worries of Wishworld might just be too much to handle! Zappa gives fans another charming entry to this enticing mystery. Leona is going to have to let her light shine super bright to come through on top!

[Karsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debated between a 3 and a 4 for this one, did NOT like Leona at all, she was a little brat. Didn't like her, though the story was good. Hopefully one of them starts to wise up to the things going on around them soon because they are all being stupid and clueless and petty. Might get old if they don't start figuring something out til towards the end of the series, that would suck.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don'the know. For some reason things that have to do with stars, galaxies, and color always seem to catch my attention. The book "Leona's Unlucky Mission" by Shana Muldoon Zappa is part of the series named Star Darlings. I didn't start with book one like most people I started off with book three since it was the only book sitting on my sister's desk that I just happened to see and need a book to read. The book caught ,you attention because when I read the blurb I read about the confident Leona who sounded like someone who would take chances for her own benefit. She started off as someone who knew what she wanted until she got her mission. Basically to grant wishes. She had to learn to put her own things aside to really see what her wisher really wants. She is going to have to give up some things to become what a true star darling is. Anyway, I like how most of the time the author would change up regular words and stick star, moom, or something like that in front or at the end of it. It really went with the setting and the whole galaxy, glitter thing. I do have to say however that because this book isn'the, mostly aimed for a sixth grader like me and more for a fourth grader, that I felt like it a little more that would keep me more entertained and engaged. I will admit it, it wasn'the one ofor those books that you never wanted to put down. And yes I might have maybe skipped the end from page 87 to like 144 or something because that ending was my goal because when looking at reviews, apparently Leona did that. I mean who gives up their dream for someone else? I guess someone who really cares because that was a super hard thing to do. So credits to her. But anyway, if you are in for a holiday book fun, star kind of themed book, than this book is perfect for you!

[Kaotic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much!
Cliffhangers are so mean!

This series is beautiful and wonderfully written. And this one had an interesting twist.

Although I don't care for Leona all that much. She too overpowering of a character and has a too narrow of a focus. She isn't a bad character, I just don't like her.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This did not end in the way i expected. It started off bad in my opinion and then it went great before the ending left me thinking "what?".

[Jayla Foster]

Very good!!!!

[Dreagbhod1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much 😍

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story but it did leave me with more questions, though I suppose it was supposed to do that!

[Juani 1207 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the book , it did not happen what I thought that would but it was really Good. The Only thing is that there were partes were Leona stressed me out. But over All a great book

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another captivating Star Darling book! This one started to feel quite episodic, with the first half of the book taking place with the Starland conflicts and the second half being about the wish-granting mission. We still have several concerns from the second book that aren't resolved--which is annoying--though we are given a little bit more about them to add to the mystery. I didn't like being in Leona's head as much because she is very self-centered and headstrong which borders on selfishness, but she learns along the way. I'm intrigued to see where this goes.

For: fans of the series; readers wanting boarding school settings, spy/infiltration plots, or science fiction; readers wanting a book with deeper issues that is still fun and girly at times.

Possible red flags: bullying; arguing.

[Sarah Whisted · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books aren't challenging for me, and the stories are all told in a similar format, but I am really enjoying getting to know the characters better because so far they're all so very different from each other. I also love the actual printing of these books. For thin paperbacks, the art and details on each page is really a sweet bonus. I just received Leona's doll at the same time this book arrived and she's even cooler to own now that I know the personality attached to her. I definitely recommend both the books and dolls for young girls. It's a really cute Disney line!

[Maisie Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickie Refresh Read.

-
So, i liked the story overall, it was cohesive ad well executed. a few things I loved about this book
-Glossary of characters at the beginning
- Glossary of terms at the end
Simple language that was easy to read and digest.
- Great Cover

there are not many cons so if you just wanted a fun simple time i suggest picking this up.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so much fun :)

[Coolkid97 · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT R U KIDDING ME

[moneylover22]

I love this book

[Jtimko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leona is sent Wishworld to help a student deal with her lack of self-confidence in performing at the school’s talent show.
This is one of a series of book from Disney Press featuring the popular Star Darlings characters. Following a short introductory chapter or two about the academy that each character attends, the story begins. Each character is given a special mission to contact a human and help them solve tier personal problem. Readers who love series stories will enjoy this one. Easy to read and predictable, this series requires no thinking. Optional purchase for grades 3 and up.

[Aliza Heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cliff hanger! She gave up the spot light for her Wisher, Amazing. You must read the ending. Its awsome.