What do you think?
Rate this book
Sheena Meyer #1
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars
"What am I?"
Sheena Meyer is the girl that brings an extra sandwich to school each day just in case someone doesn’t have lunch. She’s also the girl that questions and investigates everything, driving her parents and teachers nuts. She spends most days waiting for some grand event to happen and change her life. But this isn’t what she had in mind.
The Murk is coming for her because of a gift she doesn’t know she has.
Nine years ago an angel appeared in front of select kids all over the world. In Michigan, it appeared in a willow tree in front of a four-year-old little girl. She's the only child that saw it, the one with the gift. Sheena is now thirteen and has since forgotten what she saw. But things change when her father is in a terrible accident, and she witnesses a supernatural being save him.
“I saw what you did. Come back!”
An old man, the arrival of a peculiar new kid at school, and mysterious text messages will change everything Sheena has ever believed in, sweeping her out of a humdrum, teenage existence, and setting in motion what one little girl’s destiny can mean to the world.
Sheena Meyer is the girl that brings an extra sandwich to school each day just in case someone doesn’t have lunch. She’s also the girl that questions and investigates everything, driving her parents and teachers nuts. She spends most days waiting for some grand event to happen and change her life. But this isn’t what she had in mind.
The Murk is coming for her because of a gift she doesn’t know she has.
Nine years ago an angel appeared in front of select kids all over the world. In Michigan, it appeared in a willow tree in front of a four-year-old little girl. She's the only child that saw it, the one with the gift. Sheena is now thirteen and has since forgotten what she saw. But things change when her father is in a terrible accident, and she witnesses a supernatural being save him.
“I saw what you did. Come back!”
An old man, the arrival of a peculiar new kid at school, and mysterious text messages will change everything Sheena has ever believed in, sweeping her out of a humdrum, teenage existence, and setting in motion what one little girl’s destiny can mean to the world.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2019
1325 people are currently reading
2450 people want to read
About the author
L.B. Anne
34 books145 followersWith over five hundred thousand pages read this year, L. B. Anne is consistently an Amazon best selling author. She writes children's and middle grade fiction, with her Sheena Meyer series a best seller in Christian science fiction/fantasy and several other categories.
Find out more at www.lbanne.com
Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlbanne
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlbanne
Read all the novels by L. B. Anne!
The Sheena Meyer Series:
1. The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars
2. The Girl Who Spoke to the Wind
3. The Girl Who Captured the Sun
4. The Girl Who Became A Warrior
5. City of Gleamers
6. Secret of Shadow and Light
7. May Your Vision Be True
8. Fate of the Gleam Keeper
The Everfall Series:
1. Before I Let Go
2. Before I Fall
The Lolo and Winkle Series:
1. Go Viral
2. Zombie Apocalypse Club
3. Frenemies
4. Break London
5. Middle School Misfit
6. The Complete Five Book Collection
The Curly Girl Adventures Series:
1. Pickled Pudding
2. Zuri the Great
3. Tangled
4. Top Knot
Brave New World:
1. Gemma Kaine: Sky Rider
Snicker's Wish: A Christmas Story
The Way to Storey
Children of the Glades Series:
Five Things About Dragonflies
Never Really Gone
What the Good Girl Knew
Gleamers Chronicle: Winter Shadows (A story in the Sheena Meyer series universe)
Find out more at www.lbanne.com
Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlbanne
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlbanne
Read all the novels by L. B. Anne!
The Sheena Meyer Series:
1. The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars
2. The Girl Who Spoke to the Wind
3. The Girl Who Captured the Sun
4. The Girl Who Became A Warrior
5. City of Gleamers
6. Secret of Shadow and Light
7. May Your Vision Be True
8. Fate of the Gleam Keeper
The Everfall Series:
1. Before I Let Go
2. Before I Fall
The Lolo and Winkle Series:
1. Go Viral
2. Zombie Apocalypse Club
3. Frenemies
4. Break London
5. Middle School Misfit
6. The Complete Five Book Collection
The Curly Girl Adventures Series:
1. Pickled Pudding
2. Zuri the Great
3. Tangled
4. Top Knot
Brave New World:
1. Gemma Kaine: Sky Rider
Snicker's Wish: A Christmas Story
The Way to Storey
Children of the Glades Series:
Five Things About Dragonflies
Never Really Gone
What the Good Girl Knew
Gleamers Chronicle: Winter Shadows (A story in the Sheena Meyer series universe)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 4, 2020
Q:
I look beyond the stars and find your glory. (c)
Lovely kid story. Comes with elements of Archangels lore, Native/Afro- American culture with some sprinkling of some very mild New Age and paranormal genre.
Q:
Who wants to be just like everybody else? I don’t. That would make me predictable, and that would be bad. Nope, I have to keep people on their toes, wondering what I’m going to do next. (c)
Q:
Can you believe she sent me to school with a half curled-half straightened head of hair? ... That did wonders for my reputation. (c)
Q:
“How did I raise a child that sc olds me about how I address vampires?” (c)
Q:
There was investigating to do, and there was nothing I liked more than wearing my investigator's hat. Not a real hat, just a mode I went into when I wanted to figure something out. It’s practice for when I become a detective, or a reporter, or an attorney, or an archaeologist—I couldn’t make up my mind. (c)
Q:
I look beyond the stars and find your glory. (c)
Lovely kid story. Comes with elements of Archangels lore, Native/Afro- American culture with some sprinkling of some very mild New Age and paranormal genre.
Q:
Who wants to be just like everybody else? I don’t. That would make me predictable, and that would be bad. Nope, I have to keep people on their toes, wondering what I’m going to do next. (c)
Q:
Can you believe she sent me to school with a half curled-half straightened head of hair? ... That did wonders for my reputation. (c)
Q:
“How did I raise a child that sc olds me about how I address vampires?” (c)
Q:
There was investigating to do, and there was nothing I liked more than wearing my investigator's hat. Not a real hat, just a mode I went into when I wanted to figure something out. It’s practice for when I become a detective, or a reporter, or an attorney, or an archaeologist—I couldn’t make up my mind. (c)
Q:
November 19, 2022
This book review.... honestly? It was hard to write. It's been a long week and this book just didn't sit well with me. Like any other human being who had a rough week, I didn't have a lot of positives to say (which doesn't go along with my book reviewing brand). I saw on this book review, restarted it a few times, and I think I finally have some words.
1. This book was 100% not for me. I didn't connect with it and I struggled right through to the very end. It wasn't a bad book, but wasn't the kind of book I connected with.
2. The story didn't give enough explanation for me to care. I'm the kind of reader who likes to understand the plot and not have a cliffhanger making me ask for more. This book didn't match my preferences. A lot is not explained and we're led to believe the rest of the series will have the answers.
3. Our lead is "not normal." She sees angels but we're not given too much about it. The plot jumps around a bit which makes the book hard to follow. The idea is great, but the follow through didn't work for me.
4. Angels send text messages now?
Overall, this book was not a home run for me. It needed some more time in the development stage so the book could stand alone as a story that drew enough interest for me to enjoy it.
One out of five stars.
1. This book was 100% not for me. I didn't connect with it and I struggled right through to the very end. It wasn't a bad book, but wasn't the kind of book I connected with.
2. The story didn't give enough explanation for me to care. I'm the kind of reader who likes to understand the plot and not have a cliffhanger making me ask for more. This book didn't match my preferences. A lot is not explained and we're led to believe the rest of the series will have the answers.
3. Our lead is "not normal." She sees angels but we're not given too much about it. The plot jumps around a bit which makes the book hard to follow. The idea is great, but the follow through didn't work for me.
4. Angels send text messages now?
Overall, this book was not a home run for me. It needed some more time in the development stage so the book could stand alone as a story that drew enough interest for me to enjoy it.
One out of five stars.
May 16, 2023
I didn’t have high expectations for this book.... but it’s great! It’s so interesting and a cool concept. I’m about the same age as Sheena so I can relate I’m so many levels. Definitely 4/5
November 12, 2019
Sheena saw the angel that saved her father's life, but no one else did
Sheena's dad began to miraculously recover after the angel touched him. No one else had seen the angel except the old man in the hall. Mr. Tobias had called her a gleamer. Sheena also began to sense things and could warn people. Me. Tobias had told her this gift came with a price which was the Murk who could hurt those closest to her. The stress of trying to keep all of this to herself and then Mr. Tobias's death was just too much.
Sheena's dad began to miraculously recover after the angel touched him. No one else had seen the angel except the old man in the hall. Mr. Tobias had called her a gleamer. Sheena also began to sense things and could warn people. Me. Tobias had told her this gift came with a price which was the Murk who could hurt those closest to her. The stress of trying to keep all of this to herself and then Mr. Tobias's death was just too much.
August 21, 2023
I would've given this 4 to 4.5 stars, if it wasn't for the ending. It seemed like the ending was rushed and the book is only halfway done? Seems like part 10 of a Wattpad update. I know books should be left at a cliffhanger, but with this one you have more questions as half of the stuff barely scratched the surface due to the Book being so short.
The rest of the story was interesting and kept me intrigued. However, the fact it didn't go in depth or give ANY answers whatsoever made me put off. I won't be reading the 2nd book in series due to this issue.
The rest of the story was interesting and kept me intrigued. However, the fact it didn't go in depth or give ANY answers whatsoever made me put off. I won't be reading the 2nd book in series due to this issue.
May 26, 2022
This book disappointed me big time.
First off: Writing was terrible. It was like there was no editor. It was very simple as well. Like, “WHAM” and “BLERP” for a stinking text message! Like who uses that kind of language for a phone ringing? Also, there was NO DESCRIPTION. Of ANYTHING! Maybe it was her style, but it got me so confused. Like who doesn’t describe a supernatural being when you see one? Oh yeah, I forgot to add that this is a middle age Christian book.
Second: Storyline was also terrible. The main plot was about this girl who thinks she’s normal. Such a trope 🙄. Next then she finds out that’s she not normal. Hooray! She is in fact special and can see angels. Yup, angels. And there are so many hints that in fact her friend, Ariel, is an angel. She smells of flowers and does many miracles right in front of Sheena’s eyes. AND SHEENA STILL HASN’T FIGURED IT OUT. It is so obvious. Like, CRAZY obvious. Also the book ended in a stinking cliffhanger, when she gets…drumroll please….a bloody nose. The story hadn’t even reached its climax, and it was not even really a story. Also at one point she sees a guy with red eyes and is like, “he looks familiar.” Yeah dumby, that was because he was in your dream as the bad guy. She finds so many people who she thinks look familiar, but can’t figure out why. I’m like, OH MY WORD. Come on, Sheena!
Third: Characters had absolutely no personality whatsoever. Sheena is obviously dumb, her friends are weird, and yeah, that is literally all I have to say. Oh yeah and also her mom is keeping secrets from her and knows about her being able to see angels, it’s so obvious, but Sheena doesn’t notice. Also by the end of the book, one of her friends was acting weird, but I can’t tell whether that was just his character or he got taken over by the evil bad guy.
Just a waste of time, in my opinion.
First off: Writing was terrible. It was like there was no editor. It was very simple as well. Like, “WHAM” and “BLERP” for a stinking text message! Like who uses that kind of language for a phone ringing? Also, there was NO DESCRIPTION. Of ANYTHING! Maybe it was her style, but it got me so confused. Like who doesn’t describe a supernatural being when you see one? Oh yeah, I forgot to add that this is a middle age Christian book.
Second: Storyline was also terrible. The main plot was about this girl who thinks she’s normal. Such a trope 🙄. Next then she finds out that’s she not normal. Hooray! She is in fact special and can see angels. Yup, angels. And there are so many hints that in fact her friend, Ariel, is an angel. She smells of flowers and does many miracles right in front of Sheena’s eyes. AND SHEENA STILL HASN’T FIGURED IT OUT. It is so obvious. Like, CRAZY obvious. Also the book ended in a stinking cliffhanger, when she gets…drumroll please….a bloody nose. The story hadn’t even reached its climax, and it was not even really a story. Also at one point she sees a guy with red eyes and is like, “he looks familiar.” Yeah dumby, that was because he was in your dream as the bad guy. She finds so many people who she thinks look familiar, but can’t figure out why. I’m like, OH MY WORD. Come on, Sheena!
Third: Characters had absolutely no personality whatsoever. Sheena is obviously dumb, her friends are weird, and yeah, that is literally all I have to say. Oh yeah and also her mom is keeping secrets from her and knows about her being able to see angels, it’s so obvious, but Sheena doesn’t notice. Also by the end of the book, one of her friends was acting weird, but I can’t tell whether that was just his character or he got taken over by the evil bad guy.
Just a waste of time, in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2021
This book is cute. It has a lot of elements that could make a good book - a cute old man and child mentor relationship, lore you want to learn, a mystery you want to unfold, and other elements.
Unfortunately, I don't think they really come together. I don't feel like I learned anything in the entire 171 pages. I know there are angels. There are the Murk. The protagonist can see both of them. And that is it. It is the same amount of information one would get in the hook of a normal book. As in, information you would be told before even reading the actual book. Obviously this book is the first in a series, but the book doesn't have its own contained plot. You get no answers. It's fine if a book series sets up multiple questions and plot threads that need to be resolved, and it's fine if that series does not resolve all of the plot threads/questions in the first book. However, the book has to resolve at least one, and this book just.. didn't.
I wanted more development. I wanted more scenes. I wanted to feel like things were happening. I wanted to know what was going on (some parts of the book were confusing).
This book was just... incomplete.
Unfortunately, I don't think they really come together. I don't feel like I learned anything in the entire 171 pages. I know there are angels. There are the Murk. The protagonist can see both of them. And that is it. It is the same amount of information one would get in the hook of a normal book. As in, information you would be told before even reading the actual book. Obviously this book is the first in a series, but the book doesn't have its own contained plot. You get no answers. It's fine if a book series sets up multiple questions and plot threads that need to be resolved, and it's fine if that series does not resolve all of the plot threads/questions in the first book. However, the book has to resolve at least one, and this book just.. didn't.
I wanted more development. I wanted more scenes. I wanted to feel like things were happening. I wanted to know what was going on (some parts of the book were confusing).
This book was just... incomplete.
October 6, 2022
I rated this book one star because of several things.
First, the storyline was too short for anything to happen. It just felt like a long first chapter in which almost nothing happens.
Second, I’m aware that the character of the book always seems stupid to the reader because they know more than the character does more often than not. However, the main character, Sheena, had a shallow character and couldn’t figure out what was going on no matter how many clues she was getting.
Third, it was supposedly a Christian book, but the only christian thing about it was angel sending her text messages because she was “special”. No mention of God or christian themes and growth through the characters.
Fourth, I could not take the English. The way it was written was very childish and often confusing for lack of detail. It’s probably just her style, but it gave me a headache when all caps words like ‘WHAM’ or ‘BLERP’ etc. came up.
First, the storyline was too short for anything to happen. It just felt like a long first chapter in which almost nothing happens.
Second, I’m aware that the character of the book always seems stupid to the reader because they know more than the character does more often than not. However, the main character, Sheena, had a shallow character and couldn’t figure out what was going on no matter how many clues she was getting.
Third, it was supposedly a Christian book, but the only christian thing about it was angel sending her text messages because she was “special”. No mention of God or christian themes and growth through the characters.
Fourth, I could not take the English. The way it was written was very childish and often confusing for lack of detail. It’s probably just her style, but it gave me a headache when all caps words like ‘WHAM’ or ‘BLERP’ etc. came up.
February 27, 2020
This book was really interesting, but also kind of scary. The main character also had no characteristics at all and the book gave no answers, so the whole book was really a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2025
I'm definitely in the mood reader era 😌 because it took so long to read a short story. It was ok & nice read unsure if I will follow the series anymore. I'm just gonna see how my mood goes.
May 13, 2023
I quite enjoyed Sheena, the sleuthing main character in The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars by L.B. Anne. This inquisitive tween has a lot going on—her dad’s accident, a mysterious paranormal appearance, and an unusual new friend and it appears her parents are keeping a secret from her. She is willing to look beyond the stars to discover new mysteries and find answers to her questions.
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars raises questions about Sheena’s gift and how she’s supposed to use it. Middle-graders and younger young adult readers will love the mystery in this cute story and Sheena’s explorations to discover more about what she’s experiencing. But this story is just the beginning and readers will want to read on to find out more about this “gleamer’s” capabilities and the places her inquisitiveness takes her.
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars raises questions about Sheena’s gift and how she’s supposed to use it. Middle-graders and younger young adult readers will love the mystery in this cute story and Sheena’s explorations to discover more about what she’s experiencing. But this story is just the beginning and readers will want to read on to find out more about this “gleamer’s” capabilities and the places her inquisitiveness takes her.
April 26, 2020
This book's ending ended so suddenly that I couldn't even believe that I was actually reading a book.
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars is a book talking about Sheena, a gifted girl who can see angels. Years ago, angels showed up in front of selected kids all over the world and only Sheena saw it in her country, Michigan. Now, she found that she was the gifted kid after an accident which happened on her dad. Mr. Tobias, an old man who explained who Sheena is, died a few weeks after he and Sheena met. Without Mr. Tobias, Sheena will be on her own to find out secrets about her.
The book ended with an angel trying to save Mr. Tobias while reaching out for Sheena. Then, Sheena started to bleed and " Darkness closed in around [Sheena] as [she] slipped away."
I thought that this book was going to end like Sheena defeating Murks, the antagonist who wants to ruin Sheena's gift from the angels. Instead, the ending was like a hook. It gave readers different kinds of thoughts that could happen. For example, Mr. Tobias was saved but he and Sheena got trapped by a murk. This book gave me a different experience since it got me into the scenes like I was the main character.
I want to know what happened to Sheena and did the angels save Mr. Tobias?
Overall, I would rate it as a three and a half.
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars is a book talking about Sheena, a gifted girl who can see angels. Years ago, angels showed up in front of selected kids all over the world and only Sheena saw it in her country, Michigan. Now, she found that she was the gifted kid after an accident which happened on her dad. Mr. Tobias, an old man who explained who Sheena is, died a few weeks after he and Sheena met. Without Mr. Tobias, Sheena will be on her own to find out secrets about her.
The book ended with an angel trying to save Mr. Tobias while reaching out for Sheena. Then, Sheena started to bleed and " Darkness closed in around [Sheena] as [she] slipped away."
I thought that this book was going to end like Sheena defeating Murks, the antagonist who wants to ruin Sheena's gift from the angels. Instead, the ending was like a hook. It gave readers different kinds of thoughts that could happen. For example, Mr. Tobias was saved but he and Sheena got trapped by a murk. This book gave me a different experience since it got me into the scenes like I was the main character.
I want to know what happened to Sheena and did the angels save Mr. Tobias?
Overall, I would rate it as a three and a half.
October 8, 2022
While the religious themes of this story originally made me wary, this was still an intriguing story. The pace picked up towards the end but it only just felt like it was getting started and it ended.
April 5, 2025
A sweet book full of mystery and fun for all ages.
I loved this book and I'm 51 years old. Not the age it was written for. Sheena is a girl that sees things no one else can. Until she meets Mr. Tobias at the hospital. There she witnesses what looks like an angel heal her father. She scares it off trying to communicate with it. She also saw something when she was four years old. Most of the kids think she's crazy at school. She has two best friends until a mysterious girl shows up at school. This girl doesn't normally eat lunch. She doesn't talk of where she came from. And keeps transferring into classes that Sheena is in. Mr. Tobias recognizes that she is like him. He tries to help her but she is to scared to learn all she needs to know before something happens to Mr. Tobias. Sheena can see the future & prevent things from happening. Which she & her friends think is great until she finds out about the murks (evil things that can hurt her friends because she told them everything). The murks will use anyone to get Sheena to renounce her powers. As it is Sheena & Mr. Tobias are part of a very small group of people called the gleamers. Mr. Tobias uses his power to help the police find missing people or help solve a murder. When Sheena finds that out she just wants to be normal. But that's not how her gift works.
I loved this book and I'm 51 years old. Not the age it was written for. Sheena is a girl that sees things no one else can. Until she meets Mr. Tobias at the hospital. There she witnesses what looks like an angel heal her father. She scares it off trying to communicate with it. She also saw something when she was four years old. Most of the kids think she's crazy at school. She has two best friends until a mysterious girl shows up at school. This girl doesn't normally eat lunch. She doesn't talk of where she came from. And keeps transferring into classes that Sheena is in. Mr. Tobias recognizes that she is like him. He tries to help her but she is to scared to learn all she needs to know before something happens to Mr. Tobias. Sheena can see the future & prevent things from happening. Which she & her friends think is great until she finds out about the murks (evil things that can hurt her friends because she told them everything). The murks will use anyone to get Sheena to renounce her powers. As it is Sheena & Mr. Tobias are part of a very small group of people called the gleamers. Mr. Tobias uses his power to help the police find missing people or help solve a murder. When Sheena finds that out she just wants to be normal. But that's not how her gift works.
May 21, 2021
well written
Character-driven teen/preteen story about angels. Christianity is definitely in there, but not pushy, just as the ground of Sheena’s life. Sheena is an interesting person, at once strong for justice and caring about others, while also flawed and human. Her relationships with other kids are also outside the usual mode: she sees the cliques at school very clearly but also feels she shares something with all of them. She has few friends but lots of people she interacts with, and cares a lot for the little boy next door, while also sometimes wishing he’d leave her alone. It’s a more balanced portrayal than most, and her emotions and reactions feel age-appropriate and right for who she is. The author walks a fine line very skillfully. My one con is the book feels a little slow. The mystery is introduced around the halfway point, which is a little late, and Sheena doesn’t really get much further than understanding there are unusual spiritual forces interested in her. I wish we’d gotten a fuller picture than that of what was happening before breaking for book two. I’ll read another one because I enjoy the author’s portrayal of Sheena, and hope that more happens in the next entry.
A very small niggle that has nothing much to do with the story:
A Vow of Purity ceremony (a promise by a young girl to stay chaste before marriage, made to her dad) is mentioned early on and I thought, as I always do: “Why don’t evangelical boys take the same Vow of Purity to their moms? Isn’t a boy’s purity expected to be just as much a part of his faith as a girl’s is? And what better way to help remind a boy to respect women than by having him make a vow to his mother?” Doubt it will happen, but I really wish those expectations and promises were more balanced. . .
Character-driven teen/preteen story about angels. Christianity is definitely in there, but not pushy, just as the ground of Sheena’s life. Sheena is an interesting person, at once strong for justice and caring about others, while also flawed and human. Her relationships with other kids are also outside the usual mode: she sees the cliques at school very clearly but also feels she shares something with all of them. She has few friends but lots of people she interacts with, and cares a lot for the little boy next door, while also sometimes wishing he’d leave her alone. It’s a more balanced portrayal than most, and her emotions and reactions feel age-appropriate and right for who she is. The author walks a fine line very skillfully. My one con is the book feels a little slow. The mystery is introduced around the halfway point, which is a little late, and Sheena doesn’t really get much further than understanding there are unusual spiritual forces interested in her. I wish we’d gotten a fuller picture than that of what was happening before breaking for book two. I’ll read another one because I enjoy the author’s portrayal of Sheena, and hope that more happens in the next entry.
A very small niggle that has nothing much to do with the story:
A Vow of Purity ceremony (a promise by a young girl to stay chaste before marriage, made to her dad) is mentioned early on and I thought, as I always do: “Why don’t evangelical boys take the same Vow of Purity to their moms? Isn’t a boy’s purity expected to be just as much a part of his faith as a girl’s is? And what better way to help remind a boy to respect women than by having him make a vow to his mother?” Doubt it will happen, but I really wish those expectations and promises were more balanced. . .
June 24, 2020
Teen Angst and Angels.
I enjoyed this book about a young teen girl whose life is changed by the knowledge that Angels exist. Filled with normal teen angst of school, friends and parents there were definite moments that made me feel all those things all over both from my own life and having raised teens. Not all teens end up with some sort of “gift/calling” that brings both good and evil into their lives in such a tangible way. The author show the insights of living through these “years” in many funny ways. The main character is smart, funny with quirky insecurities that come with adolescence.
This is part of a series and the first book ends with a major cliffhanger. Personally I would have liked a bit more of the loose ends tied up but I appreciate there is a next book. I do look forward to reading it. There is nothing overly preachy either.
The Narrator and her voice work is EXCELLENT. She has the perfect balance of youthful exuberance and differentiates the characters very well.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to second one.
**I was given a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
I enjoyed this book about a young teen girl whose life is changed by the knowledge that Angels exist. Filled with normal teen angst of school, friends and parents there were definite moments that made me feel all those things all over both from my own life and having raised teens. Not all teens end up with some sort of “gift/calling” that brings both good and evil into their lives in such a tangible way. The author show the insights of living through these “years” in many funny ways. The main character is smart, funny with quirky insecurities that come with adolescence.
This is part of a series and the first book ends with a major cliffhanger. Personally I would have liked a bit more of the loose ends tied up but I appreciate there is a next book. I do look forward to reading it. There is nothing overly preachy either.
The Narrator and her voice work is EXCELLENT. She has the perfect balance of youthful exuberance and differentiates the characters very well.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to second one.
**I was given a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
May 19, 2020
Fantastic READ!
THE GIRL WHO LOOKED BEYOND THE STARS, the first book in author L.B. Anne’s THE SHEENA MEYER SERIES is fantastic! I like how Sheena figures out she has powers, and how she trusts her friends but wants to protect them also. Some parts of the story are sad. Some parts of the story are scary. But some parts of the story are so funny, they made me laugh out loud! This is a five out of five-star story for kids because it is like a dream come true – kind of real, but supernatural, too. I strongly recommend this book to kids 8 and higher. Even my grandma loved the book! It is the first book of three, so get your copy of THE GIRL WHO LOOKED BEYOND THE STARS today! Happy pages! 😉
THE GIRL WHO LOOKED BEYOND THE STARS, the first book in author L.B. Anne’s THE SHEENA MEYER SERIES is fantastic! I like how Sheena figures out she has powers, and how she trusts her friends but wants to protect them also. Some parts of the story are sad. Some parts of the story are scary. But some parts of the story are so funny, they made me laugh out loud! This is a five out of five-star story for kids because it is like a dream come true – kind of real, but supernatural, too. I strongly recommend this book to kids 8 and higher. Even my grandma loved the book! It is the first book of three, so get your copy of THE GIRL WHO LOOKED BEYOND THE STARS today! Happy pages! 😉
July 24, 2020
Sheena is a young teen who has a gift of seeing angels, she saw one touch her dad after he had a bad accident and he recovered against all odds. With the help of Mr Tobias an old man she meets she learns that her gift comes at a price of the Murk hurting the people she was closest too.
This was an interesting story, full of wonder, teenage angst and high school drama, the plot was good but I do feel it was just too short, just as you get into the book it has finished, thankfully it is a series so I will be picking up the next to find out what happens next and hopefully it clears up some unanswered questions I have.
Alaura Howery performed this in a way that captures you, she put all of the emotion in and I felt her delivery was brilliant.
This was an interesting story, full of wonder, teenage angst and high school drama, the plot was good but I do feel it was just too short, just as you get into the book it has finished, thankfully it is a series so I will be picking up the next to find out what happens next and hopefully it clears up some unanswered questions I have.
Alaura Howery performed this in a way that captures you, she put all of the emotion in and I felt her delivery was brilliant.
May 13, 2021
A little interesting and a little intriguing
I love the title, the premise and the cover art but, truthfully, I almost quit reading this book twice. However, I was curious about the angels and stuck with it. Overall, felt more like a draft than a finished book, where the book ended should have been the end of part one. As a mom of a 13 year old girl, I can tell you that kids these days aren't that daft. They are smarter than these characters, and, frankly, they deserve to read a book with a higher lexile level. Will the interest and intrigue carry me to the next book? I think not.
I love the title, the premise and the cover art but, truthfully, I almost quit reading this book twice. However, I was curious about the angels and stuck with it. Overall, felt more like a draft than a finished book, where the book ended should have been the end of part one. As a mom of a 13 year old girl, I can tell you that kids these days aren't that daft. They are smarter than these characters, and, frankly, they deserve to read a book with a higher lexile level. Will the interest and intrigue carry me to the next book? I think not.
September 24, 2020
Sheena doesn't know what to think when a bright light appears above her dad's hospital bed. Neither does she know what to think when an elderly man in a wheelchair in the hall outside her dad's room tells her that she and he are the last ones.
The story takes off from there on a journey that the reader has no clue where it goes. Sheena is a typical middle school student with two best friends. Her story is entertaining, but it stops too soon. In order to find where Sheena's journey takes her, the reader must go to book number 2.
The story takes off from there on a journey that the reader has no clue where it goes. Sheena is a typical middle school student with two best friends. Her story is entertaining, but it stops too soon. In order to find where Sheena's journey takes her, the reader must go to book number 2.
July 2, 2020
Just ok
I didn't hate it, but really would no't recommend it and probably won't read the next one in the series.
I didn't hate it, but really would no't recommend it and probably won't read the next one in the series.
November 10, 2020
This was a great read
I loved this book. As a big fan of the ya genre I am so glad I found this book. She’me a is smart, funny and relatable.
I loved this book. As a big fan of the ya genre I am so glad I found this book. She’me a is smart, funny and relatable.
June 11, 2021
The Girl Who Looked Beyond The Stars by L.B. Anne is a spiritual/supernatural book about a girl called Sheena Meyer who can see things that many others can't. It's quite a short book (160 pages) and part of a longer series. I read this as part of my very lovely book club.
This book is about a teenage girl, her friends, and mysterious beings. The illustrations are (in my opinion) very nice. Set in present day Ohio, though it starts off as sort of a teen spiritual book, it later changes to more of a supernatural action-adventure, with things which may scare young/sensitive children. The change is a bit weird, and not everybody may appreciate it.
The main character is Sheena Myer, a child with an unusual gift, but her best friends Chana and Teddy, the new girl, Ariel, and the strange and mysterious Mr. Tobias also star. The dialogue between them is very well-written and realistic, and the friendships in this book are strong.
The story all starts when Sheena sees somebody nobody else can, which sparks her to find out more and more until she discovers the truth about her gift - and the danger she's in.
I should warn you now that I thought the ending is unsatisfying to say the least. This book is the first in a series, and honestly, I think it would have been better to join together some of the series to make one larger book than to land on a cliffhanger. I would say that this is one of the book's greater downfalls.
All in all, however this was a pretty good book which I enjoyed and will probably read again. It held my interest and led to a lot of good discussions. I recommend this book to 9+ readers (possibly older if sensitive) and I hope you enjoy it!
Happy Reading,
-River Willow, age 11
This book is about a teenage girl, her friends, and mysterious beings. The illustrations are (in my opinion) very nice. Set in present day Ohio, though it starts off as sort of a teen spiritual book, it later changes to more of a supernatural action-adventure, with things which may scare young/sensitive children. The change is a bit weird, and not everybody may appreciate it.
The main character is Sheena Myer, a child with an unusual gift, but her best friends Chana and Teddy, the new girl, Ariel, and the strange and mysterious Mr. Tobias also star. The dialogue between them is very well-written and realistic, and the friendships in this book are strong.
The story all starts when Sheena sees somebody nobody else can, which sparks her to find out more and more until she discovers the truth about her gift - and the danger she's in.
I should warn you now that I thought the ending is unsatisfying to say the least. This book is the first in a series, and honestly, I think it would have been better to join together some of the series to make one larger book than to land on a cliffhanger. I would say that this is one of the book's greater downfalls.
All in all, however this was a pretty good book which I enjoyed and will probably read again. It held my interest and led to a lot of good discussions. I recommend this book to 9+ readers (possibly older if sensitive) and I hope you enjoy it!
Happy Reading,
-River Willow, age 11
May 14, 2024
Sheena Meyer can see angels and she isn't sure what is actually happening to her, but she knows that she saw an angel save her dad in the hospital. She also met an older man at the hospital who saw the angel too, so now she is determined to find him again and get answers.
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I saw the Christian influence right away when a purity vow night was mentioned randomly. Then the angels became part of the plot and I knew this one was going to be a story involving the "spiritual realm" that appears to be based on beliefs that some Christians might hold.
The story itself is really short the first book leaves a lot of questions unanswered and the world and characters are not fully developed. Overall, I enjoyed the story and this would have been a 3 stars except for the ending.
This book had the worst kind of ending. It wasn't just a cliffhanger, but a literal unfinished moment of danger. The book ends mid-moment. I can't stand that. In my opinion, it is a cheap way to end a book. I know that a book 1 will often have unanswered questions, but to end the book mid-sentence (literally) with no real resolution in book 1 didn't sit well with me.
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I saw the Christian influence right away when a purity vow night was mentioned randomly. Then the angels became part of the plot and I knew this one was going to be a story involving the "spiritual realm" that appears to be based on beliefs that some Christians might hold.
The story itself is really short the first book leaves a lot of questions unanswered and the world and characters are not fully developed. Overall, I enjoyed the story and this would have been a 3 stars except for the ending.
This book had the worst kind of ending. It wasn't just a cliffhanger, but a literal unfinished moment of danger. The book ends mid-moment. I can't stand that. In my opinion, it is a cheap way to end a book. I know that a book 1 will often have unanswered questions, but to end the book mid-sentence (literally) with no real resolution in book 1 didn't sit well with me.
February 15, 2022
100% Goodreads review.
Today I am going to be writing my final review on the Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars first I am going to explain to you why I gave this book 4 stars I gave this book 4 stars because I really liked it but now that I think about it in the past reviews I made about the book I told you that I liked everything about the book but now that I think about it I realized that I do dislike something and that is that the book does not give you many answers and it is because of the fact that I do not like when a book doesn’t give you answers so that is why I would not give it 5 stars. A question that the book raised me is: Who is Ariel? Because I do know that Ariel is a character that is in the book but they do not give you much info about her and that is what makes me have questions about her. I actually do not believe that I relate to this book in any way. I think this book changed me as a reader because now I actually kind of like reading. I would recommend this book to Julia because I do believe that she enjoys this kind of book.
Today I am going to be writing my final review on the Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars first I am going to explain to you why I gave this book 4 stars I gave this book 4 stars because I really liked it but now that I think about it in the past reviews I made about the book I told you that I liked everything about the book but now that I think about it I realized that I do dislike something and that is that the book does not give you many answers and it is because of the fact that I do not like when a book doesn’t give you answers so that is why I would not give it 5 stars. A question that the book raised me is: Who is Ariel? Because I do know that Ariel is a character that is in the book but they do not give you much info about her and that is what makes me have questions about her. I actually do not believe that I relate to this book in any way. I think this book changed me as a reader because now I actually kind of like reading. I would recommend this book to Julia because I do believe that she enjoys this kind of book.
January 3, 2023
Sheena Miro is the girl who brings an extra lunch to school each day just in case someone doesn't have a lunch she's also a girl that questions and investigates everything driving her parents or teachers not she spend the most time waiting for some Grand event to happen and change your life but she won't have to wait much longer the murk is coming up for her because of a gift she doesn't know she has 9 years ago an angel appeared in front of a select kids and over the world in Michigan it appeared in a willow tree in front of a four-year-old little girl she's the only kid that saw the one with the gift Sheena is now 13 and she said she had forgotten what she saw but things change when her father is in a terrible accident and her and she witnessed a supernatural national being safe him an elderly man a particularly new kid at school and a mysterious text message will change everything she know has ever believed in swapping her out of her home drum teenager extincts and setting emotion what one little girl's destiny can lead to the world
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2022
This review is for Christian parents and educators, considering the book for Christian students.
The story was absolutely engrossing and I loved the refreshing perspective of a black girl - a perspective that is sorely lacking in books for Christian kids.
It's written at a reading level that a 10 year old could read, but has some heavier topics (death, fear, scary danger) that I would only recommend for age 13 or 14 and up.
Also a character sarcastically tells her mom that she'll go to a purity ball as long as the Mom doesn't tell the boys at school that she's "vowing not to have sex until marriage."
I'm not sure if the angelic/spiritual elements of the book are biblical, I'll have to read the next book in the series before I decide.
I liked how the main characters love and care for each other, the funny razzes they take at each other, and their faith in God.
The story was absolutely engrossing and I loved the refreshing perspective of a black girl - a perspective that is sorely lacking in books for Christian kids.
It's written at a reading level that a 10 year old could read, but has some heavier topics (death, fear, scary danger) that I would only recommend for age 13 or 14 and up.
Also a character sarcastically tells her mom that she'll go to a purity ball as long as the Mom doesn't tell the boys at school that she's "vowing not to have sex until marriage."
I'm not sure if the angelic/spiritual elements of the book are biblical, I'll have to read the next book in the series before I decide.
I liked how the main characters love and care for each other, the funny razzes they take at each other, and their faith in God.
May 20, 2021
Couldn't put it down!
If there was a picture in the dictionary under the word "page-turner," it would be the cover of this book! Wow!
I'm an adult doing some research on children's fiction series, so I thought I'd read just a couple chapters, but the mystery and suspense so effortlessly drew me in, I just kept turning the pages until there were none left! The book is finished but it turns out the story isn't over and I'm excited to dive in to the next book in this sensational series!
Girls who enjoy mystery, detective, fantasy, science fiction stories will love this series—I wish I had books like this as a girl. L. B. Anne's storytelling is phenomenal!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
If there was a picture in the dictionary under the word "page-turner," it would be the cover of this book! Wow!
I'm an adult doing some research on children's fiction series, so I thought I'd read just a couple chapters, but the mystery and suspense so effortlessly drew me in, I just kept turning the pages until there were none left! The book is finished but it turns out the story isn't over and I'm excited to dive in to the next book in this sensational series!
Girls who enjoy mystery, detective, fantasy, science fiction stories will love this series—I wish I had books like this as a girl. L. B. Anne's storytelling is phenomenal!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Read
March 23, 2021Sheena takes an extra lunch to school just in case someone forgets her/his and she is a curious girl. She investigates all that happens. She spends all day waiting for something special or suspicious to happen and always she finds something so she never was bored and she was always really happy and she is really optimistic. So in the story they always have the same characters but Sheena is the weirdest girl but with a big heart. I identify with this book because I always find something to do. I will recommend this book to Julia and Pookie because I think they like this type of book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2022
The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars is a quick middle grade story about thirteen year old Sheena, whose life greatly changes after her dad is in a car accident. At the hospital, she sees something unexplainable... an angel? With the help of her two best friends, and Mr. Tobias, who she meets at the hospital, Sheena begins to learn about this new ability. Unfortunatey there may be a dark side to this gift. Though the writing felt a bit clunky at times, it works well for a children's novel, and I'm curious to see where the rest of the series goes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews