Bright Star

by Gary Crew, Anne Spudvilas (Illustrator)

When she meets the famous Australian astronomer John Tebbutt, Alicia realizes that she is no longer doomed to a life of needlework and milking cows but that her future is as limitless as the stars

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Dr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.

He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.

Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.

In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disliking the story and the artwork more and more (and not only because of the limits placed on girls in Australia in 1871, but also because everything was portrayed so negatively—the cows were dumb, her brothers never said Thank you, no one at home recognized her positive qualities). But when the Star Man came to the school and noticed and encouraged Alicia and later noticed her in church, then the story took off and I really enjoyed it.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Crew is an amazing, prolific writer of fantastic children's books, who is critically acclaimed but who deserves a much broader public recognition. The books are often grounded in history, and are always interesting and teach you something. Here is a story based on early Australian astronomer John Tebbutt. I'd never heard of John Tebbutt, but it seems he was rather famous, discovering two comets in the 1800s. His observatories still stand in Windsor, NSW, and he is featured on the $100 note, although sadly I don't see too many of those. In Bright Star, we have the story of a local farm girl Alicia, always busy with chores, but thinking of other things. ""Cows are stupid things, Alicia thought. So slow. So boring. Always with their heads low, their eyes rolling, always following one another. I would rather be a swallow, free to come and go."" Alicia is a spirited and observant girl who notices that while she is doing endless chores, he brothers are indeed free to come and go like swallows. One day John Tebbutt comes to Alicia's school, and engages her imagination.

[Serge Smagarinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sophisticated picture book, Australian historical fiction with the astronomer John Tebbutt at its core.

Gary Crew does an excellent job exploring issues such as sexism, freedom, giftedness and free will.

Anne Spudvilas' oil paintings could easily be mistaken for real artworks from the late 19th century period in which the book is set.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the rather abrupt ending this is an enjoyable bit of historical fiction taking place in Australia in 1871. The paths of famous astronomer John Tebbutt and a young farm girl cross and forever change the direction of the girl’s life. The illustrated work of Anne Spudvilas is fantastic, adding so much heart and emotion to these characters.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story--inspired an interesting discussion

[Cathy]

Beautiful story, brings early Australian Astromy alive to youngsters.