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Rose Lee Carter #2
A Sky Full of Stars
This powerful coming-of-age story from the author of Midnight Without a Moon will enlighten and enchant readers and is perfect for fans of Jacqueline Woodson and Sharon M. Draper. In 1955 Mississippi, racial tensions are coming to a boil. As a thirteen-year-old African American girl, Rose Lee Carter struggles to understand her place in the burgeoning Civil Rights movement. After the murder of Emmett Till, Rose questions her decision to stay in Mississippi. Torn between the opinions of Shorty, a boy who wants to meet violence with violence, and Hallelujah, her best friend who believes in the power of peaceful protests, Rose is scared of the mounting racial tension and is starting to lose hope. But when Rose helps Aunt Ruthie start her own business, she begins to see how she can make a difference in her community. Life might be easier in the North, but Mississippi is home and that's worth fighting for. Mid-century Mississippi comes alive in this sequel to the acclaimed Midnight Without a Moon .
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2018
About the author
Linda Williams Jackson
5 books135 followersBorn and raised in the Mississippi Delta in the teeny-tiny town of Rosedale , Linda Williams Jackson likes to spin stories about everyday people in small-town settings. Though she has lived in a few other states (Alabama, Missouri, and Kansas), Linda currently makes her home in a not-so-small city in Mississippi with her husband and three children.
While a degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of Alabama allowed her to enjoy careers in Information Technology, Linda now prefers manipulating words rather than numbers and symbols.
While a degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of Alabama allowed her to enjoy careers in Information Technology, Linda now prefers manipulating words rather than numbers and symbols.
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February 14, 2023I really love this book. I hope others will too. :)
January 11, 2018
It’s a tad premature to think about Newbery 2019 when we haven’t had Newbery 2018 yet, but I’ll say it now: this book is a contender for a year from now.
I knew it was Newbery material from the first pages, where I heard Rosa’s distinctive narrator voice and Ma Pearl’s high-quality admonishments. I picked up this book before I read the first book in the series, Midnight Without a Moon, which is a bit of a shame, because, well, MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON IS A NEWBERY CONTENDER FOR THIS YEAR AND WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD TALK ABOUT IT but I digress. A Sky Full of Stars can be read as a standalone book.
We travel back to Mississippi in the 1950s rural south, where Rosa lives in a sharecropper house with her grandma, aunts, brother and cousins. She declined the offer to go up north to St. Louis and is wondering whether that was the right decision. All around her there is unaccounted violence towards blacks by white people, whether it’s the white jury’s decision not to convict Emmet Till’s kidnappers and murderers to a person who was murdered while pumping gas or attacked for attempting to register blacks to vote.
There’s tension in Rosa’s universe about what should be done about the violence: some, like Ma Pearl, believe there is nothing good to be won by fighting for rights and only things to be lost. Others, like her cousin Shorty, believe that the whites need a taste of their own intimidation tactics. Still others, like the preacher’s son Hallelujah, want to go the path of boycotts, peaceful activism, and self-determination that they hear about from people like Dr. T.R.M. Howard.
This book is so thoughtful, so precise, and so contemporary. It will make readers astonished and uncomfortable, hopefully not to the point of saying, “Well, it’s FICTION, so I know that never actually happened.” There were countless times I post-it noted my text just for moments to return to when I had a moment. Character development is rock-solid and characters are multi-dimensional. Jackson understands the right balance between which plot threads need resolution and which ones can be left dangling.
My one critique is that this story lacks a solid plot center and I think that developing readers will find that a little frustrating. I could see how this could be a strong choice for historical fiction and teacher-led readings in middle school, but I will hold judgment on whether this will be a big hit with the young readers I work with.
This is a must-buy for me, because it’s a fantastic book and it will find the right reader. My fingers are crossed that the two book set achieves a War That Saved My Life status in my classroom.
I knew it was Newbery material from the first pages, where I heard Rosa’s distinctive narrator voice and Ma Pearl’s high-quality admonishments. I picked up this book before I read the first book in the series, Midnight Without a Moon, which is a bit of a shame, because, well, MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON IS A NEWBERY CONTENDER FOR THIS YEAR AND WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD TALK ABOUT IT but I digress. A Sky Full of Stars can be read as a standalone book.
We travel back to Mississippi in the 1950s rural south, where Rosa lives in a sharecropper house with her grandma, aunts, brother and cousins. She declined the offer to go up north to St. Louis and is wondering whether that was the right decision. All around her there is unaccounted violence towards blacks by white people, whether it’s the white jury’s decision not to convict Emmet Till’s kidnappers and murderers to a person who was murdered while pumping gas or attacked for attempting to register blacks to vote.
There’s tension in Rosa’s universe about what should be done about the violence: some, like Ma Pearl, believe there is nothing good to be won by fighting for rights and only things to be lost. Others, like her cousin Shorty, believe that the whites need a taste of their own intimidation tactics. Still others, like the preacher’s son Hallelujah, want to go the path of boycotts, peaceful activism, and self-determination that they hear about from people like Dr. T.R.M. Howard.
This book is so thoughtful, so precise, and so contemporary. It will make readers astonished and uncomfortable, hopefully not to the point of saying, “Well, it’s FICTION, so I know that never actually happened.” There were countless times I post-it noted my text just for moments to return to when I had a moment. Character development is rock-solid and characters are multi-dimensional. Jackson understands the right balance between which plot threads need resolution and which ones can be left dangling.
My one critique is that this story lacks a solid plot center and I think that developing readers will find that a little frustrating. I could see how this could be a strong choice for historical fiction and teacher-led readings in middle school, but I will hold judgment on whether this will be a big hit with the young readers I work with.
This is a must-buy for me, because it’s a fantastic book and it will find the right reader. My fingers are crossed that the two book set achieves a War That Saved My Life status in my classroom.
July 8, 2017
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this book that was shared with my #BookRelays group by the author. I was thrilled that I would be able to keep reading Rose Lee’s story.
A Sky Full of Stars is the sequel to last year’s Midnight Without a Moon. Set in Mississippi in 1955, it tells the story of Rose Lee and what it must have been like to be raised by black sharecroppers at a time when racial tensions were increasing with gruesome crimes like the murder of Emmett Till and the beginning of nonviolent protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The story picks up where the first book ended. Thirteen year old Rose is now able to attend school and it is there that her friend, Hallelujah, encourages her to become more involved in resistance activities. She also comes to know her own cousin, Shorty, better and he’s convinced that violence is the only way things will improve.
The storytelling in this book is superb! I love that Rose Lee’s circumstances are very complicated and that there are no simple answers. The characters illustrate the contradictions of these complex times. Ma Pearl, the severe matriarch of the family, refuses to allow anyone in the family to become involved with any of the resistance movements being advocated by organizations like the NAACP, because of the very real danger to their jobs, their home, and their lives. At the same time, she seems to obstinately stand in the way of anyone in the family trying to improve their circumstances, especially if it means they will become big-headed or “beside themselves.”
I also like that Rose Lee’s narrative is woven with factual information of the events of the times. This book, along with Midnight Without a Moon, would fit well in a study of the Civil Rights Movement. There are some mature themes, so I think it would be more appropriate in a middle school setting (grades 6-8) than in an elementary school classroom.
March 2, 2018
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I waited all the way until February 1st to finish my first 5 star read of 2018. There was no need for me to wait that long. I had A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Williams Jackson in my house the whole month of January. But reader, sometimes I get scared about reading highly anticipated sequels to books I've loved. There was no need to worry though. A Sky Full of Stars is the perfect second half to Midnight Without a Moon.
Rose made the difficult decision to stay in Mississippi rather than go with her aunt to live in St. Louis. Now that the choice has been made, Rose must find the strength and courage to stand by her conviction that Stillwater is the place she needs to be. Her strength and courage become more difficult to find as reports of more deaths of black men at the hands of white men come in. Rose's best friend, Hallelujah, is ready to begin his own junior chapter of the NAACP and start peacefully protesting. Rose's first cousin Shorty has other, more violent ideas of ways they can fight back. As tensions rise in the community and in her own home, Rose has to find inventive ways to preserve the present and plan for the future.
The hard thing about sequels is that you already know and love the characters. There isn't that time you spend getting to know them because that work has been done. As a result, sequels are almost stressful from the beginning because of how concerned you are for the characters you already love. I felt that greatly reading this book. Rose and Hallelujah have become two of my favorite MG characters of all time and my concern for their continued emotional and physical well-being was high. They both do a lot of growing, changing, and learning in this book. The foundations of both their personalities were strong, and those foundations are built on in this book. Rose is told she is brave for staying behind in Mississippi, but she feels scared. She is terrified at the idea of risking herself even for a cause she knows is good and just. Hallelujah is full of fire and defiance, ready to take on the world. Through conflicts with each other, circumstances, and the greater society both gain perspective and learn a little balance. Shorty's character is fantastic addition to this mix. He acts as a foil and catalyst for both of them to learn things. He is fascinating in his own right as well and adds a new perspective on the events happening in the community. I also enjoyed getting to know Rose's Aunt Ruth and Hallelujah's Aunt Bertha better in this book. They are both great role models for Rose, though their lives are very different from each other.
The story follows events in Rose's life through the Fall of 1955 and ends at Christmas. There is a lot of history touched on. The Montgomery Bus Boycott starts, Rosa Parks becomes a name everyone knows, and there are references to Martin Luther King Jr. All of this is brought into the lives of the characters through other sources. Rose feels a world away and far removed from even in Alabama. In Rose's own community, tensions are still high from the acquittal of Emmett Till's murderers. Midnight Without a Moon didn't pull any punches with this history, but I feel like A Sky Full of Stars raised it a notch and was throwing fire on almost every page. And it is magnificent. I definitely cried harder during this book than any I've read recently. (And I cried hardest at a wonderful exchange between Rose and Hallelujah about faith and heroes.) As in the first book, the church community and Rose's faith play an important role in the story and her character development. Again, I loved how integral this was and that Jackson was able to fully explore it. Rose has doubts. She feels frustrated. She feels convicted. Her journey through all of that is a thing of beauty.
I was going to do a list of great quotes, but there are SO MANY. I couldn't choose. Just read the book. The underlying humor in these books plays a large part in why I like them so much too.
Fans of historical fiction should not miss out on these books. Whatever age you are, they are must reads.
I waited all the way until February 1st to finish my first 5 star read of 2018. There was no need for me to wait that long. I had A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Williams Jackson in my house the whole month of January. But reader, sometimes I get scared about reading highly anticipated sequels to books I've loved. There was no need to worry though. A Sky Full of Stars is the perfect second half to Midnight Without a Moon.
Rose made the difficult decision to stay in Mississippi rather than go with her aunt to live in St. Louis. Now that the choice has been made, Rose must find the strength and courage to stand by her conviction that Stillwater is the place she needs to be. Her strength and courage become more difficult to find as reports of more deaths of black men at the hands of white men come in. Rose's best friend, Hallelujah, is ready to begin his own junior chapter of the NAACP and start peacefully protesting. Rose's first cousin Shorty has other, more violent ideas of ways they can fight back. As tensions rise in the community and in her own home, Rose has to find inventive ways to preserve the present and plan for the future.
The hard thing about sequels is that you already know and love the characters. There isn't that time you spend getting to know them because that work has been done. As a result, sequels are almost stressful from the beginning because of how concerned you are for the characters you already love. I felt that greatly reading this book. Rose and Hallelujah have become two of my favorite MG characters of all time and my concern for their continued emotional and physical well-being was high. They both do a lot of growing, changing, and learning in this book. The foundations of both their personalities were strong, and those foundations are built on in this book. Rose is told she is brave for staying behind in Mississippi, but she feels scared. She is terrified at the idea of risking herself even for a cause she knows is good and just. Hallelujah is full of fire and defiance, ready to take on the world. Through conflicts with each other, circumstances, and the greater society both gain perspective and learn a little balance. Shorty's character is fantastic addition to this mix. He acts as a foil and catalyst for both of them to learn things. He is fascinating in his own right as well and adds a new perspective on the events happening in the community. I also enjoyed getting to know Rose's Aunt Ruth and Hallelujah's Aunt Bertha better in this book. They are both great role models for Rose, though their lives are very different from each other.
The story follows events in Rose's life through the Fall of 1955 and ends at Christmas. There is a lot of history touched on. The Montgomery Bus Boycott starts, Rosa Parks becomes a name everyone knows, and there are references to Martin Luther King Jr. All of this is brought into the lives of the characters through other sources. Rose feels a world away and far removed from even in Alabama. In Rose's own community, tensions are still high from the acquittal of Emmett Till's murderers. Midnight Without a Moon didn't pull any punches with this history, but I feel like A Sky Full of Stars raised it a notch and was throwing fire on almost every page. And it is magnificent. I definitely cried harder during this book than any I've read recently. (And I cried hardest at a wonderful exchange between Rose and Hallelujah about faith and heroes.) As in the first book, the church community and Rose's faith play an important role in the story and her character development. Again, I loved how integral this was and that Jackson was able to fully explore it. Rose has doubts. She feels frustrated. She feels convicted. Her journey through all of that is a thing of beauty.
I was going to do a list of great quotes, but there are SO MANY. I couldn't choose. Just read the book. The underlying humor in these books plays a large part in why I like them so much too.
Fans of historical fiction should not miss out on these books. Whatever age you are, they are must reads.
August 19, 2018
These days I hear a lot of people talking about the "good old days" and almost inevitably they mean the 1950s. Also inevitably the speaker is white, usually male, always cis and often a property owner. This book reminds us that the 1950s were most definitely NOT the good old days for most people, especially Rosa Lee Carter. Rosa lives in 1955 Mississippi and in conditions that makes this white, middle class growing up, suburban girl realize how good she had it. It never dawned on me that there wouldn't be public transportation or school district buses but there weren't--not for Black people. If you couldn't get a ride or walk eight miles, then you didn't go to school. Period. I also never grasped how ridiculous the curriculum was and is. I went to one of the best school systems in the state (Michigan) back in the 80s and I think we got a page on how Abe Lincoln freed the slaves, a nice paragraph about Harriet Tubman, maybe a mention of Frederick Douglass. Spoiler alert: it was even worse for Rosa in her time. She didn't have the internet or a good library (or any library I don't think) to educate herself. Yet she never once even considered not pushing herself, setting her sights on college and beyond, all wrapped with a desire to stay with her people in Mississippi.
Rosa periodically mentions her decision to not join her Aunt Belle in St. Louis (As I think I said in my review of Midnight Without a Moon, it is awesome to read about St. Louis as being "up north" :) It just cracks me up because I'm from Michigan and up north is Canada or the UP! :) )Seriously though, Rosa hits the nail on the head when she says that she shouldn't have to leave and that she has every right to live in Mississippi--just as much rights as white people. But living in that time and in that place was literally deadly to many. I honestly cannot imagine knowing that I could be shot for pumping gas for a white person or looking wrong at a person. I'm a woman and have to worry about rape, but it's more of a vague "oh shit better look behind me lock my car door" type fear and not something I have to go to bed worrying about.
This book is a stark and timely reminder of how bad things were and why we need to keep moving forward for the equality of all.
Rosa periodically mentions her decision to not join her Aunt Belle in St. Louis (As I think I said in my review of Midnight Without a Moon, it is awesome to read about St. Louis as being "up north" :) It just cracks me up because I'm from Michigan and up north is Canada or the UP! :) )Seriously though, Rosa hits the nail on the head when she says that she shouldn't have to leave and that she has every right to live in Mississippi--just as much rights as white people. But living in that time and in that place was literally deadly to many. I honestly cannot imagine knowing that I could be shot for pumping gas for a white person or looking wrong at a person. I'm a woman and have to worry about rape, but it's more of a vague "oh shit better look behind me lock my car door" type fear and not something I have to go to bed worrying about.
This book is a stark and timely reminder of how bad things were and why we need to keep moving forward for the equality of all.
April 18, 2018
I love Rose, I think she is such a great character that really embodies what it is like to be a young girl, working on a cotton farm with her family in 1955 Mississippi where she's unsure of what she should do as a young person wanting and needing change, but not knowing how to go about it without bringing dishonour on her family, because let me just say, Ma Pearl is no joke.
In this book, we follow Rose and Hallelujah in the aftermath of the case against Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam in the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till. After being found not guilty, the black citizens of Stillwater, Mississippi are in a state of unrest and some feel that they should be doing more on their side of things in hopes of being seen as equal citizens and having civil rights and not just wait on folks from up north and the NAACP. While on the other side of all that the white citizens feel that the black populations is getting out of pocket and need to be reminded that they live under Jim Crow here in the south.
The audacity of these children to take on this fight still in the beginning stages is mind-boggling and being that marches, sit-ins, and protest are still happening to this day for JUSTICE! This book may have been written about events in 1955, but the spirit of this book very much reflects that of today. I would highly recommend this as well as book one, Midnight Without a Moon, which I read in February (review found here on goodreads).
In this book, we follow Rose and Hallelujah in the aftermath of the case against Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam in the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till. After being found not guilty, the black citizens of Stillwater, Mississippi are in a state of unrest and some feel that they should be doing more on their side of things in hopes of being seen as equal citizens and having civil rights and not just wait on folks from up north and the NAACP. While on the other side of all that the white citizens feel that the black populations is getting out of pocket and need to be reminded that they live under Jim Crow here in the south.
The audacity of these children to take on this fight still in the beginning stages is mind-boggling and being that marches, sit-ins, and protest are still happening to this day for JUSTICE! This book may have been written about events in 1955, but the spirit of this book very much reflects that of today. I would highly recommend this as well as book one, Midnight Without a Moon, which I read in February (review found here on goodreads).
September 13, 2017
This book is the sequel to MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON but can also be read as a standalone. Thirteen year old Rose Lee Carter chose to stay at home in Mississippi instead of taking her aunt's offer to go to St. Louis, but recent violence against the black community is making her question her decision. Set in the 1950s when Jim Crow laws dominated the south, Rose witnesses terrible injustice when black community members are harassed, shot at, and have their businesses burned down - with no criminal charges brought against the white people who commit the atrocities. As Rose waivers between wanting to leave and wanting to stay, her classmates are divided as how to respond. While some want to meet violence with violence, others want to pursue non-violent protest. At the end, Rose has to figure out who she is and what she's willing to give up for the sake of change. This book opened my eyes to life in the south during the 1950s and the challenges young people faced. I'm so grateful Linda Williams Jackson wrote this story.
July 23, 2017
I received this book in ARC form through my #bookexpedition group. Having not read Midnight Without a Moon, I was unsure what to expect in this sequel. After getting to know Rosa and her family, I'll definitely go back and read the first book.
Set in 1955 Jim Crow Mississippi, Rosa is torn between the opinions of her cousin Shorty, who wants to answer the growing violence with violence, and her good friend Hallelujah, who believes in peaceful protesting. She is scared of the increasing racial tension in her community and struggles to understand how she can help make a change for the better. She carries on through the book, "looking for bits of hope, bits of light."
Similar to Lions of Little Rock and The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963, this is a must read MG historical fiction text.
Set in 1955 Jim Crow Mississippi, Rosa is torn between the opinions of her cousin Shorty, who wants to answer the growing violence with violence, and her good friend Hallelujah, who believes in peaceful protesting. She is scared of the increasing racial tension in her community and struggles to understand how she can help make a change for the better. She carries on through the book, "looking for bits of hope, bits of light."
Similar to Lions of Little Rock and The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963, this is a must read MG historical fiction text.
August 2, 2018
Nothing much has changed for Rosa (Rose Lee) Carter since she made the decision to stay in Mississippi instead of moving north to St. Louis with her aunt. Rose wants to help her people but how to do it is the question. When more black men end up dead, Rose is concerned. Hallelujah is full of stories about his idol Dr. Howard and the non-violent resistance movement. He stirs up trouble in the classroom with his impassioned speeches. One student is not so impressed. Rose's cousin Shorty has another plan in mind. Rose is torn over which side she's on, if any. She doesn't want to see her newfound cousin killed, not when he provides a link to the Daddy she's never met. Rose cares for Hallelujah too and doesn't want to see him get hurt. Is action the answer and if so, what type? Should they just keep their heads down and mouths shut like Ma Pearl?
I didn't enjoy this book as much as Midnight Without a Moon. A Sky Full of Stars is too carefully plotted. Rose's story set in the tiny town of Stillwater is a microcosm of the larger national Civil Rights Movement. Even Rose's name is deliberately chosen after Rosa Parks. The last third of the book is about the Montgomery Bus Boycott of December 1955. I know that story. While textbooks still don't cover much in the way of black history (an all black town in Mississippi founded by slaves! Who knew?!) the textbooks I read in school did discuss Rosa Parks ! Even my second grade niece knows who Rosa Parks was. What I didn't know where the little local connections - the links between the big events and the small people. I had also not heard of Dr. Howard before. Obviously I have heard of that minister in Montgomery who asked Dr. Howard to come speak at his church! The plot of this novel mostly felt like extra added chapters to Midnight Without a Moon. I would have just preferred an epilogue or a sequel set at a later date to see where Rose is and what goals she's met. The writing is also a little more juvenile. There's less abuse/violence in this story but I am still going to recommend it for ages 13+.
Rose /Rosa is a strong heroine. I certainly understand her concerns and fears. I no longer think she should have moved to St. Louis. I think she's going to make it on her own just fine. Shorty is of the Black Panther variety of Civil Rights, if he lives that long, while Hallelujah is going to end up part of the The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and march with Dr. King! I love Hallelujah passion but in this book he acts recklessly and could have made the situation much worse. I don't agree with Shortly about fighting violence with violence. I did think of Nat Turner on my own without the characters discussing the rebellion. I think Shorty might be making the problem worse. His idea could have serious repercussions for the rest of the community.
The adults play a larger role in this novel. Finally Papa stands up to Ma Pearl and her venom. She's cruel but she's cruel out of love sometimes. I still don't like her. I really like Aunt Bertha. She is strong and brave. I wouldn't want to cross her! She is tough in a way that Ma Peal isn't. Aunt Ruthie gets more page time here towards the end of the book. I like her plot and how Rosa tries to help her aunt escape the abuse and grinding poverty of her life. The white people turn out of be a surprise. The Robinsons are obviously the benevolent paternalistic type. They don't mind black people-in their proper place of course. They want to maintain their status quo. Mrs. Jenkins, on the other hand, is very kind and incredibly brave to stand up to her peers and suggest a change. I found it interesting and enjoyable that she defies the stereotype. I also liked how it's mentioned that she and her husband changed their minds over time and are trying to make a difference in people's lives.
Reading this book made me rather sad because while some things have changed, many of the events in this book still happen. Schools are still unequal and the textbooks still don't cover black history outside of the momentous events. Thus #blacklivesmatter
Read this if you are a young teen interested in learning more about the lives of kids in the Jim Crow south who would become the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the next decade.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as Midnight Without a Moon. A Sky Full of Stars is too carefully plotted. Rose's story set in the tiny town of Stillwater is a microcosm of the larger national Civil Rights Movement. Even Rose's name is deliberately chosen after Rosa Parks. The last third of the book is about the Montgomery Bus Boycott of December 1955. I know that story. While textbooks still don't cover much in the way of black history (an all black town in Mississippi founded by slaves! Who knew?!) the textbooks I read in school did discuss Rosa Parks ! Even my second grade niece knows who Rosa Parks was. What I didn't know where the little local connections - the links between the big events and the small people. I had also not heard of Dr. Howard before. Obviously I have heard of that minister in Montgomery who asked Dr. Howard to come speak at his church! The plot of this novel mostly felt like extra added chapters to Midnight Without a Moon. I would have just preferred an epilogue or a sequel set at a later date to see where Rose is and what goals she's met. The writing is also a little more juvenile. There's less abuse/violence in this story but I am still going to recommend it for ages 13+.
Rose /Rosa is a strong heroine. I certainly understand her concerns and fears. I no longer think she should have moved to St. Louis. I think she's going to make it on her own just fine. Shorty is of the Black Panther variety of Civil Rights, if he lives that long, while Hallelujah is going to end up part of the The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and march with Dr. King! I love Hallelujah passion but in this book he acts recklessly and could have made the situation much worse. I don't agree with Shortly about fighting violence with violence. I did think of Nat Turner on my own without the characters discussing the rebellion. I think Shorty might be making the problem worse. His idea could have serious repercussions for the rest of the community.
The adults play a larger role in this novel. Finally Papa stands up to Ma Pearl and her venom. She's cruel but she's cruel out of love sometimes. I still don't like her. I really like Aunt Bertha. She is strong and brave. I wouldn't want to cross her! She is tough in a way that Ma Peal isn't. Aunt Ruthie gets more page time here towards the end of the book. I like her plot and how Rosa tries to help her aunt escape the abuse and grinding poverty of her life. The white people turn out of be a surprise. The Robinsons are obviously the benevolent paternalistic type. They don't mind black people-in their proper place of course. They want to maintain their status quo. Mrs. Jenkins, on the other hand, is very kind and incredibly brave to stand up to her peers and suggest a change. I found it interesting and enjoyable that she defies the stereotype. I also liked how it's mentioned that she and her husband changed their minds over time and are trying to make a difference in people's lives.
Reading this book made me rather sad because while some things have changed, many of the events in this book still happen. Schools are still unequal and the textbooks still don't cover black history outside of the momentous events. Thus #blacklivesmatter
Read this if you are a young teen interested in learning more about the lives of kids in the Jim Crow south who would become the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the next decade.
January 9, 2018
Rosa is dealing with the aftermath of the Emmet Till trial where the men who killed him are let go. She sees the injustices happening all around her in Mississippi. She sees how blacks are treated by their white neighbors and she wants to do something about it, but she is afraid. She is afraid because black people are being killed all the time. They are being killed for trying to register people to vote and simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tensions are running high in the South. Rosa is also dealing with a lot of tensions at home. She never sees her father even though he lives close by and would like to, but her grandma doesn't want him in her house. The house is full of people staying there because they have no where else to go. Her grandma is a mean woman who never hesitates to take the strap to anyone she thinks deserves it. Rosa is growing up and deciding what kind of person she wants to be; does she want to be afraid and bow down to the white people or does she want to stand up for herself and others and risk it all.
I haven't read the first book about Rosa so I feel like I did miss a bit of the story; however, for the most part I think everything that happened in the first book is referenced in this one. This is a fascinating time in history and it is interesting to see it from this point of view. I do wish there was a bit more to the other characters besides Rosa. She is pretty well drawn out character wise, but some of the others seem very one note. I thought Ma Pearl was especially troubling. It is fine to have a mean character to set your main character against, but why is she so mean. There is no backstory or anything to explain her. She is just mean and hateful to everyone around her. I also wish there would have been a bit more about Queenie and Aunt Ruthie. They were interesting, but had no story here. Ruthie did end up with a bit more towards the end of the book, but they were basically in the background. Maybe I would have felt differently if I read the first book?
I received this book from Netgalley.
I haven't read the first book about Rosa so I feel like I did miss a bit of the story; however, for the most part I think everything that happened in the first book is referenced in this one. This is a fascinating time in history and it is interesting to see it from this point of view. I do wish there was a bit more to the other characters besides Rosa. She is pretty well drawn out character wise, but some of the others seem very one note. I thought Ma Pearl was especially troubling. It is fine to have a mean character to set your main character against, but why is she so mean. There is no backstory or anything to explain her. She is just mean and hateful to everyone around her. I also wish there would have been a bit more about Queenie and Aunt Ruthie. They were interesting, but had no story here. Ruthie did end up with a bit more towards the end of the book, but they were basically in the background. Maybe I would have felt differently if I read the first book?
I received this book from Netgalley.
April 4, 2018
I enjoyed this story inspired by the author's life and surroundings. The tale is set in 1955 in Stillwater Mississippi. Rosa her friend Hallelujah and cousin shorty have heard of ll the bad things happening to people of color all over the south, and even though they are frightened they want to stand up and make a difference.
Reverend Jenkins, Hallelujah's father has told them they can't sit around and wait for negroes up north to save them.It's up to us to save ourselves.A man name Emmett Till is shot down in cold blood, and yes there was a trial but the man was set free. No law against killing coloreds existed. If there had, what white man of the time would care anyway?
The story also tells some of the everyday life of colored people of the time. Some whites were sympathetic, but most didn't care at all.
Rosa, and Hallelujah take it upon themselves to walk in a small town protest, even tho she knows she will be beaten for it, she thinks it's worth it. Her grandmother wears her ass out, it could cost them their jobs and home, so she's mad.
Stores owned and operated by negroes are burned, men , women and children are abused and murdered in this time of America's shameful history.People are hungry and get by on little, but Rosa loves her home and family, so she knows it's time to stand up and fight for what's right.
The author's note in the back synced it for me and made this a 5 star read.
Thank you Linda Williams Jackson for this amazing story.I was born in 1958 and lived through all sorts of racial unrest on both sides. In the 1960's we couldn't even open a window to the street or play outside due to riots. This story touched me. I am white and Native American, my family is of all colors, I overcame the hate of generations past, anyone can, all it takes is love.
Reverend Jenkins, Hallelujah's father has told them they can't sit around and wait for negroes up north to save them.It's up to us to save ourselves.A man name Emmett Till is shot down in cold blood, and yes there was a trial but the man was set free. No law against killing coloreds existed. If there had, what white man of the time would care anyway?
The story also tells some of the everyday life of colored people of the time. Some whites were sympathetic, but most didn't care at all.
Rosa, and Hallelujah take it upon themselves to walk in a small town protest, even tho she knows she will be beaten for it, she thinks it's worth it. Her grandmother wears her ass out, it could cost them their jobs and home, so she's mad.
Stores owned and operated by negroes are burned, men , women and children are abused and murdered in this time of America's shameful history.People are hungry and get by on little, but Rosa loves her home and family, so she knows it's time to stand up and fight for what's right.
The author's note in the back synced it for me and made this a 5 star read.
Thank you Linda Williams Jackson for this amazing story.I was born in 1958 and lived through all sorts of racial unrest on both sides. In the 1960's we couldn't even open a window to the street or play outside due to riots. This story touched me. I am white and Native American, my family is of all colors, I overcame the hate of generations past, anyone can, all it takes is love.
January 20, 2018
Upon finishing A Sky Full of Stars and having read Midnight Without a Moon, I realized that this is the start of a saga like Wilder's "Little House" books. Set in 1955 in Mississippi, the 2 books are bringing us deep into another time and place with complex characters and characters that we love. As a child, I loved the Little House books which happened 80 years before I read them. Jackson's books are taking place over 60 years ago, which probably feels like ancient history to today's young readers, just as Little House felt to me. I learned to appreciate the struggles of my ancestors, who were from the area of the Little House books, to survive through storms and fears and problems to where I was . Today's readers can follow Rose Lee Carter and her family, with different struggles and get an insight into the political and civil issues that have shaped our country. I look forward to seeing where Rose Lee goes and who she becomes as she navigates the rough years that we know are ahead for her and Mississippi. I think these are important books that will stand the test of time.
March 14, 2018
Note: This is the sequel to “Midnight Without a Moon,” which I have also reviewed.
These books are absolute treasures. This is the kind of middle grade fiction that transcends age and should be enjoyed by all.
In addition to providing an educational timeline and authentic perspective on mid-50’s civil rights, from Emmett Till to Rosa Parks, author Linda Williams Jackson weaves in honesty and nuance rarely touched in books written even for adults, like discussions of classism and colorism within the black community, fear and anger towards northern blacks and the NAACP for agitating the system and causing more instability for the already more oppressed southern blacks, and mass northern migration and the generational splitting of black families.
The children in these books are brave and inspiring, not because they do anything extraordinary, but because they never give up hoping. Hope may be the bravest act of all.
These books are absolute treasures. This is the kind of middle grade fiction that transcends age and should be enjoyed by all.
In addition to providing an educational timeline and authentic perspective on mid-50’s civil rights, from Emmett Till to Rosa Parks, author Linda Williams Jackson weaves in honesty and nuance rarely touched in books written even for adults, like discussions of classism and colorism within the black community, fear and anger towards northern blacks and the NAACP for agitating the system and causing more instability for the already more oppressed southern blacks, and mass northern migration and the generational splitting of black families.
The children in these books are brave and inspiring, not because they do anything extraordinary, but because they never give up hoping. Hope may be the bravest act of all.
January 22, 2018
“Bravery is when you’re scared but you do the job anyway.”
We’re so lucky. After her wonderful debut novel, Midnight Without a Moon, Linda Williams Jackson brings us more of Rosa’s life in 1950s Mississippi. I read this sequel with the joy of catching up with an old friend, plus the absorbing immersion in a period of time we all should be reacquainting ourselves with.
I so emotionally identified with Rosa and her inner struggle between fear and the desire to be brave and do right. Although Rosa is a black teen in the 1950s, she faces similar thoughts and fears to what I have right now about how far I am brave enough to/need-to go in protesting injustice. I’m hoping that when children read this book, their parents pick it up also. And here’s hoping that Jackson writes another chapter in the life of Rosa.
We’re so lucky. After her wonderful debut novel, Midnight Without a Moon, Linda Williams Jackson brings us more of Rosa’s life in 1950s Mississippi. I read this sequel with the joy of catching up with an old friend, plus the absorbing immersion in a period of time we all should be reacquainting ourselves with.
I so emotionally identified with Rosa and her inner struggle between fear and the desire to be brave and do right. Although Rosa is a black teen in the 1950s, she faces similar thoughts and fears to what I have right now about how far I am brave enough to/need-to go in protesting injustice. I’m hoping that when children read this book, their parents pick it up also. And here’s hoping that Jackson writes another chapter in the life of Rosa.
January 25, 2018
I loved the first book about Rose (now Rosa) Lee Carter, MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON, and this one builds so nicely on the existing character development. I found the characters to be earnest and authentic and inspiring, and the time period allows for so many important moments and events in the civil rights movement to be incorporated.
Rosa's self-doubt and courage are both palpable. There's got to be another book coming~ I can't imagine not having another book that follows Rosa's journey.
Rosa's self-doubt and courage are both palpable. There's got to be another book coming~ I can't imagine not having another book that follows Rosa's journey.
March 23, 2018
I didn't want to finish this book. I didn't want to say goodbye to Rosa. I fell in love with Midnight Without a Moon last year, and when I found out about A Sky Full of Stars I was so happy to have Rosa again in my life. I could follow Rosa's life forever. I love her friendship with Hallelujah, and I loved watching her voice become stronger and stronger. Speaking of which... Anyone know if we're getting a third book in the series?
This is an important read, and I 100% recommend it.
This is an important read, and I 100% recommend it.
January 21, 2018
Another hit with this one! Loved the character development of Rosa Lee! I have so many questions about Ma Pearl after this one! Would love her perspective and maybe it will explain her Behavior. Hope to see a book 3!!
February 27, 2018
How does the community react to the acquittal of Emmett Till's murderers? How does Rose change? Powerful sequel to Midnight Without a Moon.
January 16, 2018
This historical fiction novel is just as powerful as Linda's first. As with MIDNIGHT WITHOUT A MOON, this book weaves so much truth (and real events) into the world around Rosa's (not Rose anymore!) area of Mississippi. The reader is pulled into Rosa's plights, hopes, fears, and dreams. We read and feel what happened with the power structures of racism that plagued our country then and that we're still standing up against now. Heavy, powerful, truth-filled, and sprinkled with hope.
Another great book to read and discuss and share with upper MG readers and young adults (and up).
Another great book to read and discuss and share with upper MG readers and young adults (and up).
January 4, 2018
I would like to thank Goodreads and author Linda Williams Jackson for the ARC I received in a Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed the author's notes in the pages of the book. I grew up in the '60's and '70's in Houston. Being white, I never experienced the racial discrimination that the author and heroine in this book experienced. I did, however, experience discrimination because we were "poor folks." Our houses weren't always in the best condition nor were our hand me down clothes, much like Rosa's in this book. We had "what's it" for supper once a week. My dad was a butcher and brought home unlabeled, dinted cans from the store where he worked. Once a week, my mom would open 4 or 5 cans of what's it for supper. We raised chickens, rabbits, and a garden. Dad hunted and fished. My mom was a great cook and really good at stretching a meal with fried cornmeal mush and honey for breakfast or water biscuits with water gravy. This book reminded me a lot of where I came from. For a long time my dad was a bigot. Then he met a very fine black young man who wanted to be a butcher. My dad trained him. When Spence was finally trained and secured a job with the same store where my dad was the market manager, he went home to Louisiana to retrieve his wife and kids and bring them to Houston. On his way home, he stopped to help a white woman broken down with a flat tire on Interstate 10. While changing her flat, he was struck and killed. That tragedy was a life changer for my dad. He really cared about Spence. That freed us to develop friendships with other races. My best friend became Cornelia Jones. She and I both played the violin in orchestra and competed for 1st chair every week. Usually it was either Cornelia or myself who won that honor. Cornelia went on to do great things with her life, she attended Julliard and became an phenomenal opera singer, while I chose a life of domesticity. I have four wonderful grandchildren, one full black and three biracial. It is remarkable the strides we as a nation have made in my lifetime. This book is a must read. I think it should be required reading in school. It really helps me, a white person, understand the struggles of the Afro-American communities. We are better, but we aren't there yet. Thank you Linda Jackson for writing this book, I hope you have several more inspiring books inside that marvelous head of yours. Looking forward to reading more.
February 24, 2018
This is a book about faith: faith in yourself, faith in your family, faith in your God.
This is a book about Mississippi: Jim Crow Mississippi, early Civil Rights Era Mississippi, my crazy, beautiful, depraved, beloved Mississippi.
A Sky Full of Stars does a stellar (sorry, couldn’t help myself) job of capturing how life would be for a girl living in the war zone that was 1955 Mississippi. Rosa questions her bravery and her faith; she struggles with her anger and her day-to-day life. She’s loving, loyal, and a true inspiration.
Characters introduced in Midnight Without a Moon were fleshed out—somehow I like Queen now(!) and I really enjoyed Rosa’s budding relationship with her Aunt Ruthie. Shorty was an intriguing addition and surprise new favorite, especially when I found out one of the reasons he’d been skipping school.
LWJ revisited some topics from MWAM as well: Dr. TRM Howard, Emmett Till and other Jim Crow Mississippi casualties, classism, and colorism. Yes, the N word is in here and yes, I think it needs to be. Enough said.
The beginning could’ve been a little tighter and there was a typo (It’s was…) on page 108 that drove me up the wall (blame my OCD), but I’m going to place these minor flaws at the door of shoddy editing rather than LWJ’s writing because y’all, I love her books. They are about a time and place that people need to know about and LWJ’s stories ring true. I hope she continues Rosa’s story, but basically I’ll read whatever she writes.
This is a book about Mississippi: Jim Crow Mississippi, early Civil Rights Era Mississippi, my crazy, beautiful, depraved, beloved Mississippi.
A Sky Full of Stars does a stellar (sorry, couldn’t help myself) job of capturing how life would be for a girl living in the war zone that was 1955 Mississippi. Rosa questions her bravery and her faith; she struggles with her anger and her day-to-day life. She’s loving, loyal, and a true inspiration.
Characters introduced in Midnight Without a Moon were fleshed out—somehow I like Queen now(!) and I really enjoyed Rosa’s budding relationship with her Aunt Ruthie. Shorty was an intriguing addition and surprise new favorite, especially when I found out one of the reasons he’d been skipping school.
LWJ revisited some topics from MWAM as well: Dr. TRM Howard, Emmett Till and other Jim Crow Mississippi casualties, classism, and colorism. Yes, the N word is in here and yes, I think it needs to be. Enough said.
The beginning could’ve been a little tighter and there was a typo (It’s was…) on page 108 that drove me up the wall (blame my OCD), but I’m going to place these minor flaws at the door of shoddy editing rather than LWJ’s writing because y’all, I love her books. They are about a time and place that people need to know about and LWJ’s stories ring true. I hope she continues Rosa’s story, but basically I’ll read whatever she writes.
December 17, 2017
"A Sky Full of Stars" is a middle grade/tween novel set in November and December 1955 in Mississippi. It's the second book in a series, but it works fine as a stand-alone (though now I'd like to read the first one).
Rosa is a dark-skinned 13-year-old who's smart enough to go to college, but her own grandmother doesn't want her to get ahead because of that darker skin. Her mother left her and her brother behind for a new life in the north, and her father hasn't visited them since her brother was born and Rosa doesn't know why. Violence against blacks is on the rise. Rosa's best friend wants to march against the inequalities while her cousin wants to start a campaign of terror against whites. Rosa wants to stand up, but she's afraid of the potential consequences.
The characters acted realistically and were likable. The author wove historical and setting details into the story to give readers a good feel for the time and what was going on locally as well as nationally. A good way to learn a little history while reading an excellent novel that drew me into her world and fears. Rosa does make a difference in people's lives despite those fears.
There was no sex or swearing. There were some racial slurs used by both sides (white against black and black against white). Overall, I'd highly recommend this excellent story.
Rosa is a dark-skinned 13-year-old who's smart enough to go to college, but her own grandmother doesn't want her to get ahead because of that darker skin. Her mother left her and her brother behind for a new life in the north, and her father hasn't visited them since her brother was born and Rosa doesn't know why. Violence against blacks is on the rise. Rosa's best friend wants to march against the inequalities while her cousin wants to start a campaign of terror against whites. Rosa wants to stand up, but she's afraid of the potential consequences.
The characters acted realistically and were likable. The author wove historical and setting details into the story to give readers a good feel for the time and what was going on locally as well as nationally. A good way to learn a little history while reading an excellent novel that drew me into her world and fears. Rosa does make a difference in people's lives despite those fears.
There was no sex or swearing. There were some racial slurs used by both sides (white against black and black against white). Overall, I'd highly recommend this excellent story.
January 3, 2018
Loved, loved this book! I read the first book, Midnight Without a Moon, in this series. I felt Rose was strong, but I love how Jackson made her an even stronger person in this book. I absolutely loved Midnight Without a Moon, but I had a few fellow teachers express their concerns about reading it aloud to their students due to the graphic detail of the killing of Emmitt Till and the pregnancy of Rose's cousin. This book provides a window into the hate African-Americans endured during the Jim Crow Law years without the detailing of a killing. It would be a safer book for teachers to read aloud to their students without a parent becoming upset. This book is not any less of a book than MWaM, but those considering read alouds to students, this is the better choice.
December 14, 2017
A Sky Full of Stars by Linda Jackson was one of those books I couldn't put down and didn't want to finish at the same time. Jackson gives such depth to her characters and setting that you feel as though you are in Mississippi in the 1950's living through these stories in the shoes of Rosa, Hallelujah and their families. Thanks to Jackson I learned about events that I never knew occurred and felt and saw this time period through different eyes. I truly admire and appreciate Jackson's writing style and can't wait to see what else she brings to the literature world in the future. Her books will be ones that I always recommend to friends and family.
January 1, 2018
Rose Carter is one of those characters who you know is going to go on and do amazing things with her life. I loved Rose in Midnight Without a Moon, and I am so glad that Linda Jackson continued with Rose's story in A Sky Full of Stars. The civil rights era captures my students' attention, and this book will continue to teach them what a difficult time period it was. I can't wait to purchase this one to place on the shelf along with Midnight Without a Moon.
August 17, 2020
More accurate rating: 3.5
Caveat: I didn't know this was a sequel until I was partway into it, and I think I would have had a somewhat different experience if I had read the first book first.
A Sky Full of Stars deals with important topics: segregation, inequality, and black men being killed by white men with few consequences, little justice. Mississippi in the 1950s is an important setting, and it's extremely—yet sickeningly—relevant today. This book has the potential to be very, very powerful. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
It's a shame, because the characters are great. Rosa's smart and caring and struggles to be brave. I love the contrast between idealistic Hallelujah who wants to change the world by peaceful protests and skeptical Shorty who advocates a more forceful style. Their language, experience, and world views are distinct, and they stand for more than just themselves. Ma Pearl has entirely different ideas of what's right. It's very thought-provoking. Other characters are interesting too…though the sheer number of absent parent figures is sad. These distinct characters had some great interactions.
My problem was that I found it quite slow, and it felt more told than shown. Part of this was probably because I didn't at first realize it was a sequel. Since I hadn't read the first book, all the explanations of what must have happened in the first book felt very narrated—and were a little hard to keep track of since I hadn't lived their stories through the first novel. I also had a hard time keeping the extended family's relationships and histories straight, which meant I probably missed out on some of the novel's nuance.
Mainly, though, I think the slowness and the "told" feel came from everything happening off stage. Rosa thinks a lot about social justice and what's happening around her, and she talks to her friends a lot about it, and her friends and relatives and the preacher bring her stories about what's happening, but it would have been more powerful if Rosa experienced some of it more directly so that we, as readers, could experience it through her. For example, the first scene is really impactful. We're there as Rosa finds the handkerchief that belongs to one of the rich while ladies having a get-together in the house where she's cleaning. We get to feel her uncertainty: take it in and disturb them, which is "stepping out of place," or don't disturb them and get in trouble for not giving it back? We experience their horrid, racist conversation, the way they make her feel, the way one woman smiles at her—and the fact that her smile is strange and "improper" is just heart-wrenching. We see Rosa, afterwards, eat the leftovers on their plates because she never gets such fine food. It's a really powerful scene. I needed more scenes like that. There are powerful conversations in the book, but not a lot really happens on stage after that great opening. Obviously it's unrealistic for Rosa to witness the horrible killings and beatings, and that's not what I'm saying. But I needed more to happen to her or for her to do more. On page 170, she goes out of town and sees how other people live and feels carpet for the first time. On page 240, they do a protest march, which takes up only about three pages and we don't even get to see the most dramatic part of it. Almost all the rest of the book is talking about what happens off stage. The format just didn't draw me in, and I'm really not sure it will hold kids in thrall. And that's where we need kids (and adults) to be with such important themes.
As I said, there are some deep, engaging conversations in here about very difficult topics. The author's note at the back is powerful. Absolutely don't skip it. The characters are varied and interesting.
I just needed Rosa to have a more active part in everything that was happening.
If you haven't read the first book (Midnight Without a Moon), I would start there.
Caveat: I didn't know this was a sequel until I was partway into it, and I think I would have had a somewhat different experience if I had read the first book first.
A Sky Full of Stars deals with important topics: segregation, inequality, and black men being killed by white men with few consequences, little justice. Mississippi in the 1950s is an important setting, and it's extremely—yet sickeningly—relevant today. This book has the potential to be very, very powerful. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
It's a shame, because the characters are great. Rosa's smart and caring and struggles to be brave. I love the contrast between idealistic Hallelujah who wants to change the world by peaceful protests and skeptical Shorty who advocates a more forceful style. Their language, experience, and world views are distinct, and they stand for more than just themselves. Ma Pearl has entirely different ideas of what's right. It's very thought-provoking. Other characters are interesting too…though the sheer number of absent parent figures is sad. These distinct characters had some great interactions.
My problem was that I found it quite slow, and it felt more told than shown. Part of this was probably because I didn't at first realize it was a sequel. Since I hadn't read the first book, all the explanations of what must have happened in the first book felt very narrated—and were a little hard to keep track of since I hadn't lived their stories through the first novel. I also had a hard time keeping the extended family's relationships and histories straight, which meant I probably missed out on some of the novel's nuance.
Mainly, though, I think the slowness and the "told" feel came from everything happening off stage. Rosa thinks a lot about social justice and what's happening around her, and she talks to her friends a lot about it, and her friends and relatives and the preacher bring her stories about what's happening, but it would have been more powerful if Rosa experienced some of it more directly so that we, as readers, could experience it through her. For example, the first scene is really impactful. We're there as Rosa finds the handkerchief that belongs to one of the rich while ladies having a get-together in the house where she's cleaning. We get to feel her uncertainty: take it in and disturb them, which is "stepping out of place," or don't disturb them and get in trouble for not giving it back? We experience their horrid, racist conversation, the way they make her feel, the way one woman smiles at her—and the fact that her smile is strange and "improper" is just heart-wrenching. We see Rosa, afterwards, eat the leftovers on their plates because she never gets such fine food. It's a really powerful scene. I needed more scenes like that. There are powerful conversations in the book, but not a lot really happens on stage after that great opening. Obviously it's unrealistic for Rosa to witness the horrible killings and beatings, and that's not what I'm saying. But I needed more to happen to her or for her to do more. On page 170, she goes out of town and sees how other people live and feels carpet for the first time. On page 240, they do a protest march, which takes up only about three pages and we don't even get to see the most dramatic part of it. Almost all the rest of the book is talking about what happens off stage. The format just didn't draw me in, and I'm really not sure it will hold kids in thrall. And that's where we need kids (and adults) to be with such important themes.
As I said, there are some deep, engaging conversations in here about very difficult topics. The author's note at the back is powerful. Absolutely don't skip it. The characters are varied and interesting.
I just needed Rosa to have a more active part in everything that was happening.
If you haven't read the first book (Midnight Without a Moon), I would start there.
December 17, 2017
I don't know where to start with this book...
I read the first in the series, Midnight Without a Moon, earlier this year and while I liked it, I thought parts of it were a bit problematic. I think A Sky Full of Stars is a stronger novel than the first book, but I still think it had some issues.
Namely, Ma Pearl. What the hell is wrong with Ma Pearl?! I said this in my review of the first book, but I don't understand why Jackson decided to write Ma Pearl the way she did. She is a very harsh character and I keep waiting to discover why she is so mean, but Jackson gives us absolutely no justification. As far as I'm concerned Ma Pearl has no redeeming qualities and I think that's unfair to her character. She literally has no empathy. She doesn't seem like a psychopath to me, so I really don't know why she's so unyielding. Sure, she makes a great antagonist, but she's also not the main villain of the story (hello white people) and I think showing us a little bit more of her humanity would make such a better character.
But let's talk about plot, because I thought the plot of this story was stronger than the first book. Midnight Without a Moon takes place in Mississippi in 1955 and focuses on the murder of Emmett Till. Rose is shocked when the white men who murdered Emmett walk free of all charges and is desperate to see change. A Sky Full of Stars focuses on the murders of several other black men in the state for doing things like trying to register to vote, demanding to be paid a fair wage, and for simply making a mistake when pumping a white man's gas. So basically black people are being shot for daring to exist.
I found the plot structure a bit weak in Midnight Without a Moon, but it is much better defined in A Sky Full of Stars. Rose is disgusted that white people can kill black people without suffering any consequence and decides she wants to do something about it. Everyone has different ideas about the most effective ways to create change and Rose has to figure out where she fits in and how far she's willing to go to try and ensure a better future for her family. She struggles with turning down her Aunt Belle's offer to move to St. Louis and is afraid of what the consequences might be of speaking out against inequality.
Similar to the first book, I felt this book had no real climax to the story and it felt like it kind of just ends. I could easily see Jackson writing another book about Rose. Mostly I think she just needs to think more about her characterization. Rose has a great character arc, but the rest of the characters feel 1-dimensional. There's quite a lot of side characters but I feel like barely any of them had depth. The Shorty-Hallelujah conflict had so much potential, but never really came to a head and as such, didn't really feel that meaningful. There was so much potential for Queen's character too, but I don't think her character developed at all in this book.
I applaud Jackson for tackling some pretty tough subjects in a middle grade book, but honestly, I think this book can go so much deeper. I feel like Jackson is hesitant to get into the dark nitty-gritty of her characters. The character conflicts all feel very surface level and I think if Jackson went deeper into her characters, their fears and desires, this would truly be a fantastic series. Have your characters make mistakes and take risks - they live in a harsh world and sometimes they are going to make bad choices. How they react and grow from those challenges is what makes them inspiring.
Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read the first in the series, Midnight Without a Moon, earlier this year and while I liked it, I thought parts of it were a bit problematic. I think A Sky Full of Stars is a stronger novel than the first book, but I still think it had some issues.
Namely, Ma Pearl. What the hell is wrong with Ma Pearl?! I said this in my review of the first book, but I don't understand why Jackson decided to write Ma Pearl the way she did. She is a very harsh character and I keep waiting to discover why she is so mean, but Jackson gives us absolutely no justification. As far as I'm concerned Ma Pearl has no redeeming qualities and I think that's unfair to her character. She literally has no empathy. She doesn't seem like a psychopath to me, so I really don't know why she's so unyielding. Sure, she makes a great antagonist, but she's also not the main villain of the story (hello white people) and I think showing us a little bit more of her humanity would make such a better character.
But let's talk about plot, because I thought the plot of this story was stronger than the first book. Midnight Without a Moon takes place in Mississippi in 1955 and focuses on the murder of Emmett Till. Rose is shocked when the white men who murdered Emmett walk free of all charges and is desperate to see change. A Sky Full of Stars focuses on the murders of several other black men in the state for doing things like trying to register to vote, demanding to be paid a fair wage, and for simply making a mistake when pumping a white man's gas. So basically black people are being shot for daring to exist.
I found the plot structure a bit weak in Midnight Without a Moon, but it is much better defined in A Sky Full of Stars. Rose is disgusted that white people can kill black people without suffering any consequence and decides she wants to do something about it. Everyone has different ideas about the most effective ways to create change and Rose has to figure out where she fits in and how far she's willing to go to try and ensure a better future for her family. She struggles with turning down her Aunt Belle's offer to move to St. Louis and is afraid of what the consequences might be of speaking out against inequality.
Similar to the first book, I felt this book had no real climax to the story and it felt like it kind of just ends. I could easily see Jackson writing another book about Rose. Mostly I think she just needs to think more about her characterization. Rose has a great character arc, but the rest of the characters feel 1-dimensional. There's quite a lot of side characters but I feel like barely any of them had depth. The Shorty-Hallelujah conflict had so much potential, but never really came to a head and as such, didn't really feel that meaningful. There was so much potential for Queen's character too, but I don't think her character developed at all in this book.
I applaud Jackson for tackling some pretty tough subjects in a middle grade book, but honestly, I think this book can go so much deeper. I feel like Jackson is hesitant to get into the dark nitty-gritty of her characters. The character conflicts all feel very surface level and I think if Jackson went deeper into her characters, their fears and desires, this would truly be a fantastic series. Have your characters make mistakes and take risks - they live in a harsh world and sometimes they are going to make bad choices. How they react and grow from those challenges is what makes them inspiring.
Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2019
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy of this book from the publisher HMH in exchange for an honest review.
It is a hard feat to write a sequel that is as great–and even rarer, better–than the original, but Jackson pulled it off. A Sky Full of Stars is much more impactful and heart-wrenching than Midnight without a Moon, that I just could not put it down. A powerful coming-of-age tale that examines Rose’s life during the aftermath of the Emmett Till murder, A Sky Full of Stars is one of the most inspiring middle grade novels I have ever read. One of the most stunning aspects of this book is that it takes such a different and unique arc than the first book, giving readers a refreshing new storyline that introduces new characters and conflicts and retains many beloved characters from book one. The author just blew me away with this book, and it’s one of the few that I am so proud and honored to have not only as an ARC but also as a physical copy sitting on my shelf.
Jackson continues to display the violence and external and internal conflicts African Americans faced in the Deep South without sugarcoating any single aspect. If you had previously read my review of Midnight without a Moon, you would know how thought-provoking the entire duology was. A Sky Full of Stars follows Rose as she chooses (minor spoiler alert) to stay in Mississippi to help bring about change, but she is torn between follow her best friend Hallelujah’s nonviolent protests and (her cousin, I think?) Shorty’s violent tactics. Because she has to figure out who to side with and how to overcome her fear, Rose–as she learns to become empowered and fight for what is right regardless of the opposition she faces–will inspire readers of all ages. If you look at my ARC copy, there are about 30 to 40 page flaps that have bookmarked certain passages and quotes, from the consequences of deception to finding strength in God. That is certainly a good indicator (for me) how much I just loved this book.
I found myself more emotionally invested into A Sky Full of Stars to the point where I rejoiced so much with Rose’s triumphs, cringed during her mistakes, and even became shocked (and possibly cried, I can’t remember but it’s possible) at all the plot twists. I just could not, and I mean could NOT, put this book down at all. I found everything, from the prose to the plot to the characters to the conflict, much more improved than its prequel. It was as if I became Rose herself. I felt her moral dilemmas, her fear, her curiosity, her hope for the future. I felt very changed and impacted from this novel–it’s one that is so powerful it gave me an actual glimpse of racism and change that took place during the Civil Rights Movement at its inception (there is a mention of Rosa Parks in the book which I was so happy at). It effectively combined that backdrop with Rose coming of age and trying to heal, help, and learn more about her family in the process–which provided the perfect recipe for a book that gave me all the chills and all the feels.
A Sky Full of Stars is the perfect conclusion for the Rose Lee Carter duology. It is definitely one of the most powerful middle grade books I have ever read–I would recommend this to younger readers in a heart beat! I rarely use this term a lot in a review, but this novel was just perfect. Jackson stepped it up in this sequel to Midnight without a Moon (which you should still read nonetheless), and A Sky Full of Stars is so unforgettable that it will stick with you for a long time. If you need a last minute Christmas gift, or just a good historical fiction read for either you or your kid (the Rose Lee Carter series is perfect for children and adults of all ages!), then you need to get these two books. Linda Williams Jackson is one of the most promising MG authors I’ve read. I am excited to see what she has in store in the future!
It is a hard feat to write a sequel that is as great–and even rarer, better–than the original, but Jackson pulled it off. A Sky Full of Stars is much more impactful and heart-wrenching than Midnight without a Moon, that I just could not put it down. A powerful coming-of-age tale that examines Rose’s life during the aftermath of the Emmett Till murder, A Sky Full of Stars is one of the most inspiring middle grade novels I have ever read. One of the most stunning aspects of this book is that it takes such a different and unique arc than the first book, giving readers a refreshing new storyline that introduces new characters and conflicts and retains many beloved characters from book one. The author just blew me away with this book, and it’s one of the few that I am so proud and honored to have not only as an ARC but also as a physical copy sitting on my shelf.
Jackson continues to display the violence and external and internal conflicts African Americans faced in the Deep South without sugarcoating any single aspect. If you had previously read my review of Midnight without a Moon, you would know how thought-provoking the entire duology was. A Sky Full of Stars follows Rose as she chooses (minor spoiler alert) to stay in Mississippi to help bring about change, but she is torn between follow her best friend Hallelujah’s nonviolent protests and (her cousin, I think?) Shorty’s violent tactics. Because she has to figure out who to side with and how to overcome her fear, Rose–as she learns to become empowered and fight for what is right regardless of the opposition she faces–will inspire readers of all ages. If you look at my ARC copy, there are about 30 to 40 page flaps that have bookmarked certain passages and quotes, from the consequences of deception to finding strength in God. That is certainly a good indicator (for me) how much I just loved this book.
I found myself more emotionally invested into A Sky Full of Stars to the point where I rejoiced so much with Rose’s triumphs, cringed during her mistakes, and even became shocked (and possibly cried, I can’t remember but it’s possible) at all the plot twists. I just could not, and I mean could NOT, put this book down at all. I found everything, from the prose to the plot to the characters to the conflict, much more improved than its prequel. It was as if I became Rose herself. I felt her moral dilemmas, her fear, her curiosity, her hope for the future. I felt very changed and impacted from this novel–it’s one that is so powerful it gave me an actual glimpse of racism and change that took place during the Civil Rights Movement at its inception (there is a mention of Rosa Parks in the book which I was so happy at). It effectively combined that backdrop with Rose coming of age and trying to heal, help, and learn more about her family in the process–which provided the perfect recipe for a book that gave me all the chills and all the feels.
A Sky Full of Stars is the perfect conclusion for the Rose Lee Carter duology. It is definitely one of the most powerful middle grade books I have ever read–I would recommend this to younger readers in a heart beat! I rarely use this term a lot in a review, but this novel was just perfect. Jackson stepped it up in this sequel to Midnight without a Moon (which you should still read nonetheless), and A Sky Full of Stars is so unforgettable that it will stick with you for a long time. If you need a last minute Christmas gift, or just a good historical fiction read for either you or your kid (the Rose Lee Carter series is perfect for children and adults of all ages!), then you need to get these two books. Linda Williams Jackson is one of the most promising MG authors I’ve read. I am excited to see what she has in store in the future!
February 7, 2019
Having been enormously impressed with the author's previous title, Midnight without a Moon, I was eager to read this one and to learn what happened to its protagonist, Rose Lee (Rosa) Carter. Despite the growing violence toward blacks in parts of Mississippi, even the rural Delta area where she lives, thirteen-year-old Rosa has decided to remain in the area instead of moving to St. Louis with her aunt. This book picks up precisely where the other one leaves off. It's November 1955, and as her grandmother makes life at home increasingly uncomfortable for Rosa, she feels drawn to take action to make changes in the world around her. As her best friend, Hallelujah Jenkins, becomes increasingly troubled by the violence that seems to surround anyone with dark skin, he is also inspired by civil rights speakers and activists, and encourages his school mates to do something. Rosa believes in the cause, but she's also fearful of possible repercussions against her or her family if the whites in their community become displeased. At great risk to herself but inspired by the example of that other Rosa (Parks) in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa joins Hallelujah in marching in protest over one restaurant owner's unwillingness to serve black customers even though his cooks are black. She also helps inspire Aunt Ruthie to use her baking skills to work toward financial independence. I love the fact that Rosa's personal journey is bookended by that of Emmett Till's murder and the birth of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as well as how some of her own frailties and mistakes are described here, making her quite relatable for middle grade readers. Amid her growing awareness of the politics at work around her, Rosa is also dealing with her grandmother's violence and discipline and her desperate need to have some contact with her father. This was, indeed, a very challenging year for Rosa, but she somehow manages to find the joyful moments hidden within those harsh realities just as she savors the beauty of rural Mississippi and the natural wonders that she doubts she can experience in the city despite its own allures. The last lines of the book sum up her feelings perfectly as well as helping explain why some folks choose to stay in a place where it often seems they aren't welcome. "It was almost too much to bear. But there were little surprises and happy moments, too, like the unexpected visit from my daddy. Little pricks of light against the darkness. Whatever lay in store for me in the coming year, I knew that I could bear it, as long as I kept on looking for bits of hope, bits of light" (p. 298-299). For many readers, Rosa herself not only brings to life this particular part of history, but sheds that light of hope on them as they try to chart their own courses through life's challenges, both personal and political. I hope the author will follow up this book with more about Rosa.
November 11, 2020
In this follow-up to Jackson's Midnight Without A Moon, the reader is exposed to more of Rose (aka Rosa) Carter's life in the deep south in 1955. The book picks up right where the first one leaves off.
Rose has decided to stay in the South and participate in the fight for equality, even if she doesn't know what she's going to do or how. Her best friend, Hallelujah, has a better idea of how he would like to fight for equality especially as the murders of black people continue into the fall and winter of 1955. Word from Montgomery, Alabama is a young preacher by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr has been gathering people and executing a boycott of the bus system after a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and was arrested. This inspires Hallelujah to plan a protest for their town of Stillwater. Rose is torn about how she should fight, or even if she should, for racial justice for her future and the future of black people.
I really felt the exhaustion of the black person in this second book of Jackson's. After another senseless killing Hallelujah's father, Preacher Jenkins, moans, "The killing has got to stop." I paused reading for a moment. The killing has not stopped. It's 2020 and the senseless killing of black people has not stopped. I'm a white person and exhausted by it so the exhaustion of the black people, fighting this fight for generations, is so much deeper and intense than I could begin to imagine. Living every day with the fear and knowledge that you or someone you know could be killed because of the color of your skin is a mental, emotional, and physical toll. I digressed a bit. Rose's internal struggle and thoughts that Jackson shares with us made me feel that exhaustion on a teeny tiny level. Jackson also exposes the thoughts black people have about themselves and their people through the character of Ma Pearl and Shorty. It is a complex way of life for our black brothers and sisters. The book ends with the ending of 1955 and Rose and her family looking toward 1956, not knowing what it will hold for them but with Rose searching for little bits of light, wherever they may appear. Jackson's Rose Carter series (just the two books) is great and insightful reading.
Rose has decided to stay in the South and participate in the fight for equality, even if she doesn't know what she's going to do or how. Her best friend, Hallelujah, has a better idea of how he would like to fight for equality especially as the murders of black people continue into the fall and winter of 1955. Word from Montgomery, Alabama is a young preacher by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr has been gathering people and executing a boycott of the bus system after a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and was arrested. This inspires Hallelujah to plan a protest for their town of Stillwater. Rose is torn about how she should fight, or even if she should, for racial justice for her future and the future of black people.
I really felt the exhaustion of the black person in this second book of Jackson's. After another senseless killing Hallelujah's father, Preacher Jenkins, moans, "The killing has got to stop." I paused reading for a moment. The killing has not stopped. It's 2020 and the senseless killing of black people has not stopped. I'm a white person and exhausted by it so the exhaustion of the black people, fighting this fight for generations, is so much deeper and intense than I could begin to imagine. Living every day with the fear and knowledge that you or someone you know could be killed because of the color of your skin is a mental, emotional, and physical toll. I digressed a bit. Rose's internal struggle and thoughts that Jackson shares with us made me feel that exhaustion on a teeny tiny level. Jackson also exposes the thoughts black people have about themselves and their people through the character of Ma Pearl and Shorty. It is a complex way of life for our black brothers and sisters. The book ends with the ending of 1955 and Rose and her family looking toward 1956, not knowing what it will hold for them but with Rose searching for little bits of light, wherever they may appear. Jackson's Rose Carter series (just the two books) is great and insightful reading.
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