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Chasing North Star
Germany, 1940. While struggling to survive at an orphanage, young Didi crosses paths with a rebellious, quirky girl who will either help her escape a life of abuse and uncertainty or lead her down an even darker path.
Fast-forward to 1970. With help from a worn leather journal, another young girl learns the story of Didi, who escaped war-torn Germany for a better life in America―except her life didn’t turn out as expected. The stories of these two girls intertwine and eventually collide one Christmas night when Didi, all grown up, finally remembers the secret she buried long ago.
Chasing North Star looks back at a time when four free-range siblings, cigarettes in hand, roamed the streets ’til sunrise and hid from a gun-toting, mentally ill mother who couldn’t help herself. Stingray bicycles, transistor radios, and late nights in the cemetary―just another day in Alamo. That is, until the youngest sibling stumbles upon Didi’s story.
Fast-forward to 1970. With help from a worn leather journal, another young girl learns the story of Didi, who escaped war-torn Germany for a better life in America―except her life didn’t turn out as expected. The stories of these two girls intertwine and eventually collide one Christmas night when Didi, all grown up, finally remembers the secret she buried long ago.
Chasing North Star looks back at a time when four free-range siblings, cigarettes in hand, roamed the streets ’til sunrise and hid from a gun-toting, mentally ill mother who couldn’t help herself. Stingray bicycles, transistor radios, and late nights in the cemetary―just another day in Alamo. That is, until the youngest sibling stumbles upon Didi’s story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
290 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2020
28 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 2, 2020
Ok guys, this wasn't an easy read for me. I had to put the book down many times because reading this story weighed heavy on my heart. But it is a story that must be read because Chasing North Star sheds so much light on how mental illness was perceived in the 1970's and the effect it had on a family as a whole when having someone they love struggle with mental health everyday.
Many times I sympathize with Didi's character and what she was going through, but also at times I was so angry at her because of the abuse that was taking place in the home. The only time the children felt safe and free is when Didi was hospitalized, giving them few days to recharge.
Chasing North Star was hard to read, but it was also eye opening on a topic that has been taboo for many years and still is at times. Mental illness is real, whether people want to admit it or not. It should be talked about, not hidden.
Chasing North Star was gifted to me by Booksparks, She Writes Press and Heidi McCrary in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Many times I sympathize with Didi's character and what she was going through, but also at times I was so angry at her because of the abuse that was taking place in the home. The only time the children felt safe and free is when Didi was hospitalized, giving them few days to recharge.
Chasing North Star was hard to read, but it was also eye opening on a topic that has been taboo for many years and still is at times. Mental illness is real, whether people want to admit it or not. It should be talked about, not hidden.
Chasing North Star was gifted to me by Booksparks, She Writes Press and Heidi McCrary in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
October 3, 2020
Heidi was kind enough to send me a paperback of Chasing North Star and nothing beats holding a paperback. The book is told in alternating viewpoints and timelines. We travel to 1940s Germany when Hitler’s reign of terror is showing itself. Didi’s mother is suffering from mental illness, and that suffering manifests itself with physical abuse to her daughter. Didi winds up abandoned to an orphanage as her mother can no longer care for her.
Then we travel to the 1970s, where our narrator describes growing up with her siblings and her parents. Her mother is suffering from variously diagnosed disorders, including depression and schizophrenia. She too lavishes extreme abuse on her children. These two worlds will eventually intersect in this multi-genre story.
McCrary did a wonderful job of showing how poorly sufferers were treated not only in hospitals but by their peers. The stigma surrounding mental illness has come a long way, but there is still progress to be made as I am always reading and hearing of people who think a walk outside will cure everything. There isn’t really a set plot, rather we followed the two stories as they progressed until the last hour when we watch them intersect. The thing I didn’t see with this was the lasting effects of trauma on Didi’s children. Perhaps that is something to explore in a different book. Overall, a valuable read.
Then we travel to the 1970s, where our narrator describes growing up with her siblings and her parents. Her mother is suffering from variously diagnosed disorders, including depression and schizophrenia. She too lavishes extreme abuse on her children. These two worlds will eventually intersect in this multi-genre story.
McCrary did a wonderful job of showing how poorly sufferers were treated not only in hospitals but by their peers. The stigma surrounding mental illness has come a long way, but there is still progress to be made as I am always reading and hearing of people who think a walk outside will cure everything. There isn’t really a set plot, rather we followed the two stories as they progressed until the last hour when we watch them intersect. The thing I didn’t see with this was the lasting effects of trauma on Didi’s children. Perhaps that is something to explore in a different book. Overall, a valuable read.
October 7, 2020
Loved this book! A heartbreaking story for more than one generation in this family. Some of the book takes place in 1970 when a trip to McDonalds rivaled the excitement of world travel. Life in a small town where kids roam the nights not to cause trouble, but to stay safe. So well written. One of my favorite quotes, "seeing happiness as being right there, just inches from her grasp, but like the rushing waters of Tahquamenon, it slipped through her fingers." Hoping this author is working on another book
October 8, 2020
*3.5 stars/5*
Thank you to @booksparks for gifting me this book in my Indie Book Box! This book explores mental health and the impact it can have on a family in the 1970’s. Told from the youngest child’s perspective, we alternate between seeing flashbacks of the mother’s life in the 1940’s in Germany and of following the family’s experiences through the year 1970. This book started out slow for me, but about half way through it, it ended up catching hold of me and I really enjoy the second half. Maybe it’s obvious to the others, but I didn’t realize that it was kind of a memoir of the author (it says in the author’s notes that she had to tweak some things about her family for the book), and it was interesting to discover that after reading the book, as it made me go back and think about the book again. Another interesting thing about the book, is that we don’t learn the narrator/main character’s name until the very end of the book. This book also contains lots of references to life in a small town in the 1970’s, so if you really like the 1970’s or books about small town life, then this is the book for you. Because the book was narrated by the youngest child, we really were able to get a good perspective to how this character thinks and experiences the world around them. Being an oldest child myself, it was interesting for me to get this perspective. It was also interesting to read about the mother’s past and explore her through process to things, while also seeing how she behaves in the present. All in all, despite having a slow start for me, I ended up enjoying this book.
Thank you to @booksparks for gifting me this book in my Indie Book Box! This book explores mental health and the impact it can have on a family in the 1970’s. Told from the youngest child’s perspective, we alternate between seeing flashbacks of the mother’s life in the 1940’s in Germany and of following the family’s experiences through the year 1970. This book started out slow for me, but about half way through it, it ended up catching hold of me and I really enjoy the second half. Maybe it’s obvious to the others, but I didn’t realize that it was kind of a memoir of the author (it says in the author’s notes that she had to tweak some things about her family for the book), and it was interesting to discover that after reading the book, as it made me go back and think about the book again. Another interesting thing about the book, is that we don’t learn the narrator/main character’s name until the very end of the book. This book also contains lots of references to life in a small town in the 1970’s, so if you really like the 1970’s or books about small town life, then this is the book for you. Because the book was narrated by the youngest child, we really were able to get a good perspective to how this character thinks and experiences the world around them. Being an oldest child myself, it was interesting for me to get this perspective. It was also interesting to read about the mother’s past and explore her through process to things, while also seeing how she behaves in the present. All in all, despite having a slow start for me, I ended up enjoying this book.
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September 27, 2020This book is one of those heartbreakingly beautiful stories. It’s a difficult but important read that explores a look at the darker side of humanity. I love getting a chance to take a glimpse into the lives of others and understanding a bit of the suffering people might be forced to endure.
This book deals a lot with mental health and how mental illness was treated in the seventies. Or better yet, the lack of treatment (and don’t even get me started on how this continues today). BUT ACTUALLY, I am going to kind of get started on how this continues today. BECAUSE that makes this book that much more relatable and important.
This is a bleak yet beautiful story of survival and trying to live one’s life amongst hardships. It’s one of those books you just need to pick up and take in (and I don’t want to spoil anything). It’s not an easy read, but it's a powerful one.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
This book deals a lot with mental health and how mental illness was treated in the seventies. Or better yet, the lack of treatment (and don’t even get me started on how this continues today). BUT ACTUALLY, I am going to kind of get started on how this continues today. BECAUSE that makes this book that much more relatable and important.
This is a bleak yet beautiful story of survival and trying to live one’s life amongst hardships. It’s one of those books you just need to pick up and take in (and I don’t want to spoil anything). It’s not an easy read, but it's a powerful one.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
March 27, 2023
This book was heartbreaking to read. Love is so complex! I am from the area that this book takes place so it was fun to recognize places they went.
September 29, 2020
This is a good book but at the same time a hard one to read. Due to the fact that it features mental health illness. Sad because of the effects that someone's illness can play out with loved ones. That person may not intend to hurt their loved ones but they can't help it. Causing a sort of ripple effect. Where children are forced to grow up quickly.
In regards; to this book, I felt like it was a bit one sided with most of the focal point on the nineteen seventies then the forties and Didi. Therefore I was not as connected towards Didi. If her parts had not been featured in this book, it still would have been a good one overall and in my opinion would not have taken anything away from the story. Again, this is because most of the story featured the nineteen seventies.
While mental health is a focal point in this book, it should not be hidden or taboo. People need to talk about it and find the help they need. I would read another book by this author.
In regards; to this book, I felt like it was a bit one sided with most of the focal point on the nineteen seventies then the forties and Didi. Therefore I was not as connected towards Didi. If her parts had not been featured in this book, it still would have been a good one overall and in my opinion would not have taken anything away from the story. Again, this is because most of the story featured the nineteen seventies.
While mental health is a focal point in this book, it should not be hidden or taboo. People need to talk about it and find the help they need. I would read another book by this author.
September 25, 2020
This was a tough book to read. This is a raw look at mental illness in the 70's. It was really uncomfortable to read some parts of this because of how much danger the kids were in. It was sad that they had to grow up like this. I really loved seeing the relationship between the siblings though and how bonded they were. The stigma around mental illness back then (and even today still although not quite as bad) really hindered anyone from getting help or leading a normal life. Not only was the mother ostracized within her town but the entire family was just because of their relation to her. It was definitely an eye opening read.
March 18, 2021
Heidi McCrary’s first novel, Chasing North Star, is a heart-rending portrayal of her experiences growing up in a family headed by a mother suffering the effects of generational neglect, abuse, and mental illness. McCrary begins the story in 2005 with her own family’s trip to New York City in search of her mother’s name on the rolls at Ellis Island. With a loving husband and two young sons, McCrary decides it is important for her children to know more about their grandmother, a woman she herself had finally begun to understand.
Jumping back and forth between her own childhood (written in present tense) and then to life as her mother knew it growing up in Nazi Germany (written in past tense), McCrary capably captures the essence of the orphan who could never share much about herself with her children, the orphan who named her daughter by putting together parts of her two best friends’ names (HeidiMari).
Didi (Heidi’s mother) shared bits and pieces of her life in a small journal found at a time that allowed Heidi to conclude, “…as I’ve grown older, I have come to understand the obstacles that my mother faced–the abuse she endured as a child, and the mental and physical challenges that she struggled with on a daily basis.” The result is this beautiful novel where Heidi is able to come to terms with her childhood and forgive her mother.
This book reminds us of the redemptive powers that exist for children growing up in homes with unspeakable challenges. Heidi and her siblings managed to protect one another, take part in typical childhood expeditions such as scrambling along the tracks of the North Star train, and support each other over years of incredible challenges in their household. Heidi wrote, “My mother, quite unintentionally, taught me the importance of embracing life and everything that goes along with it. I understand our father did the best he could trying to protect his children from the woman he adored but couldn’t save.”
This is a powerful read for those whose childhoods may have been stunted by parents who never seemed to grasp the sort of happiness they longed for, or whose parents were unable to shake generational trauma such as mental illness, unable to control the effects.
In the end, time keeps moving forward, and the ferry will depart Ellis Island. McCrary inhales the earthy fragrance of forgiveness that “allows her to move on without bitterness and anger.” It has been said that forgiveness is the gift one gives to oneself, and this author brings the reader full circle right along with her in this skillfully written novel.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Shawn LaTorre for this review.
Jumping back and forth between her own childhood (written in present tense) and then to life as her mother knew it growing up in Nazi Germany (written in past tense), McCrary capably captures the essence of the orphan who could never share much about herself with her children, the orphan who named her daughter by putting together parts of her two best friends’ names (HeidiMari).
Didi (Heidi’s mother) shared bits and pieces of her life in a small journal found at a time that allowed Heidi to conclude, “…as I’ve grown older, I have come to understand the obstacles that my mother faced–the abuse she endured as a child, and the mental and physical challenges that she struggled with on a daily basis.” The result is this beautiful novel where Heidi is able to come to terms with her childhood and forgive her mother.
This book reminds us of the redemptive powers that exist for children growing up in homes with unspeakable challenges. Heidi and her siblings managed to protect one another, take part in typical childhood expeditions such as scrambling along the tracks of the North Star train, and support each other over years of incredible challenges in their household. Heidi wrote, “My mother, quite unintentionally, taught me the importance of embracing life and everything that goes along with it. I understand our father did the best he could trying to protect his children from the woman he adored but couldn’t save.”
This is a powerful read for those whose childhoods may have been stunted by parents who never seemed to grasp the sort of happiness they longed for, or whose parents were unable to shake generational trauma such as mental illness, unable to control the effects.
In the end, time keeps moving forward, and the ferry will depart Ellis Island. McCrary inhales the earthy fragrance of forgiveness that “allows her to move on without bitterness and anger.” It has been said that forgiveness is the gift one gives to oneself, and this author brings the reader full circle right along with her in this skillfully written novel.
Story Circle Book Reviews thanks Shawn LaTorre for this review.
October 7, 2020
📚 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 / 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪 📚
Title: #ChasingNorthStar
Author: #HeidiMcCrary
Publisher: #SheWritesPress
Pub Date: 9/29/2020
Type: #Paperback #FinishedCopy
Total Pages: 290
Genre: #HistoricalFiction
On Tour: @Booksparks #IndieBookBox
Must Read Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘴:
𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺, 𝟷𝟿𝟺𝟶. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘬𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩.
𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘵-𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟶. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯 ��𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳-𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢―𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘱, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘰.
My Thoughts:
This is a fantastic and important novel that explores the very taboo, but important mental health/illness aspect of those left in the wake of WW2. This is a searing and honest look at how horrific and life-changing that period in history was and how the ripple effect is passed down from generation to generation. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there is a heavy abuse element in this book that will not be for everyone. When Didi's mother can no longer physically or mentally take care of her, she is sent to an orphanage, which brings about a whole new level of stress and anxiety for an already fragile young girl. My heart continually broke for her and at times this was almost too difficult to read. I am so grateful I pushed through because this was an INCREDIBLE read. I am hopeful this review helps shed a light on this book and brings it to new readers of this novel and author because this was not initially my #bookstagram radar. I'll be thinking of this book for a very long time. Thank you, #booksparks for this amazing book!
Title: #ChasingNorthStar
Author: #HeidiMcCrary
Publisher: #SheWritesPress
Pub Date: 9/29/2020
Type: #Paperback #FinishedCopy
Total Pages: 290
Genre: #HistoricalFiction
On Tour: @Booksparks #IndieBookBox
Must Read Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘴:
𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺, 𝟷𝟿𝟺𝟶. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘬𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩.
𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘵-𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝟷𝟿𝟽𝟶. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘯 ��𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳-𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘎𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢―𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘥𝘪, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘶𝘱, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘰.
My Thoughts:
This is a fantastic and important novel that explores the very taboo, but important mental health/illness aspect of those left in the wake of WW2. This is a searing and honest look at how horrific and life-changing that period in history was and how the ripple effect is passed down from generation to generation. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there is a heavy abuse element in this book that will not be for everyone. When Didi's mother can no longer physically or mentally take care of her, she is sent to an orphanage, which brings about a whole new level of stress and anxiety for an already fragile young girl. My heart continually broke for her and at times this was almost too difficult to read. I am so grateful I pushed through because this was an INCREDIBLE read. I am hopeful this review helps shed a light on this book and brings it to new readers of this novel and author because this was not initially my #bookstagram radar. I'll be thinking of this book for a very long time. Thank you, #booksparks for this amazing book!
October 12, 2020
Told over the course of 1970 by the youngest sibling, we learn about a family's struggle to deal with their mom's mental illnesses. Interspersed with this story is the mom's story of growing up in 1940s/1950s Germany. The two alternating timelines really brought to light the mother's lifelong problems.
This book was easy to read in terms of flow and writing style, but it was very hard to read some of the scenes where the mom, Didi, really struggled. There weren't a lot of options for help with mental illnesses in 1970s, small-town America. The 4 children had to live with their mothers unpredictable, and often violent, moods.
Since the 1970s years are told through the eyes of a 9 year old, we mostly get basic details about what's happening. There's fun and laughter in the children's lives, but also a lot of darkness and pain. The siblings' bonds in this book were unbreakable and this was at the center of the novel. The beauty in this book was found in the aftermath of pain, when the siblings would look out for each other.
This book is based on the author's own personal life. It's so sad to think about how little was known about mental illnesses 50 years ago. In the book, the judgement from peers in the community leaked onto children and affected their day to day life. It was heartbreaking to read but I loved the ultimate message of perseverance and family sticking together.
This book was easy to read in terms of flow and writing style, but it was very hard to read some of the scenes where the mom, Didi, really struggled. There weren't a lot of options for help with mental illnesses in 1970s, small-town America. The 4 children had to live with their mothers unpredictable, and often violent, moods.
Since the 1970s years are told through the eyes of a 9 year old, we mostly get basic details about what's happening. There's fun and laughter in the children's lives, but also a lot of darkness and pain. The siblings' bonds in this book were unbreakable and this was at the center of the novel. The beauty in this book was found in the aftermath of pain, when the siblings would look out for each other.
This book is based on the author's own personal life. It's so sad to think about how little was known about mental illnesses 50 years ago. In the book, the judgement from peers in the community leaked onto children and affected their day to day life. It was heartbreaking to read but I loved the ultimate message of perseverance and family sticking together.
February 26, 2021
An unforgettable and unflinching coming-of-age novel about the ties that bind siblings in their complicated family struggles. Chasing North Star examines the pain--often terror-- of growing up with a narcissistic, mentally ill mother and the fact that the love we all crave has to ultimately be found in ourselves.
The unnamed young girl has the adult wit and humor reminiscent of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, but here she is growing up in the small farm town of Alamo, Michigan in 1970. "The last born is lucky to get new socks and underpants." But the little girl has knowledge beyond her nine-years-of-age too. 'She wasn't in the mood for this unnatural mother-daughter dance." And she understand how life in Alamo is one no one would willingly choose. "A housewife living out no one's fantasy in Alamo, Michigan." McCrary, with the whimsy of a child's voice, captures the dreams and the disappointments of childhood, especially when her mother can be dangerously unpredictable. With a brilliant parallel story of how the mother--Didi Phillips--descended into mental illness, we understand the North Star. It is a fixed destination that both the young girl and her mother are aiming for. Distant in the horizon as the world changes, the North Star is a figment of the imagination without a shooting star of hope.
The unnamed young girl has the adult wit and humor reminiscent of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, but here she is growing up in the small farm town of Alamo, Michigan in 1970. "The last born is lucky to get new socks and underpants." But the little girl has knowledge beyond her nine-years-of-age too. 'She wasn't in the mood for this unnatural mother-daughter dance." And she understand how life in Alamo is one no one would willingly choose. "A housewife living out no one's fantasy in Alamo, Michigan." McCrary, with the whimsy of a child's voice, captures the dreams and the disappointments of childhood, especially when her mother can be dangerously unpredictable. With a brilliant parallel story of how the mother--Didi Phillips--descended into mental illness, we understand the North Star. It is a fixed destination that both the young girl and her mother are aiming for. Distant in the horizon as the world changes, the North Star is a figment of the imagination without a shooting star of hope.
January 27, 2021
Chasing North Star was inspired by a true story about a young small-town girl who was trying to make sense of her life. The book shifts back and forth between this girl’s experiences in the seventies and her mother’s past in Germany. It focuses on the mother’s mental illness and the effect it had on her children. Her father’s love and devotion through all his wife’s episodes truly touched my soul. The strength of the children was awe-inspiring.
The old-school free-range vibes it gave off brought back many memories of my own childhood: riding bikes all day with my friends, playing in the woods, getting into mischief. The good ol’ days.
This book was written by my mother-in-law’s friend, and I received it as a Christmas gift. I dove in knowing I’d experience some nostalgia as she based her story on the small local town that is considered home to my husband and his side of the family.
I had no idea just how much this story would shake, inspire, fascinate, and embrace me. Heidi’s writing is awe-inspiring, and I am so blessed to have been able to get such a detailed glimpse into her life.
This will be a story I pick up time and time again. Thank you, Heidi, for bringing awareness, entertainment, and originality into the world through your writing. You are incredible!
The old-school free-range vibes it gave off brought back many memories of my own childhood: riding bikes all day with my friends, playing in the woods, getting into mischief. The good ol’ days.
This book was written by my mother-in-law’s friend, and I received it as a Christmas gift. I dove in knowing I’d experience some nostalgia as she based her story on the small local town that is considered home to my husband and his side of the family.
I had no idea just how much this story would shake, inspire, fascinate, and embrace me. Heidi’s writing is awe-inspiring, and I am so blessed to have been able to get such a detailed glimpse into her life.
This will be a story I pick up time and time again. Thank you, Heidi, for bringing awareness, entertainment, and originality into the world through your writing. You are incredible!
October 6, 2021
I’m not sure what I’m missing from those that have read and reviewed this book, but I found it to very scattered and hard to follow with storylines that sometimes didn’t seem to fit together in any way. I did love that it was set in my area of Michigan , it helped me to identify with the setting and small town living. The mental illness theme is there, but I don’t feel it was fully developed...and cut off a short things started to ramp up in parts. Although based on a true story (I didn’t discover this until the end of the book - not sure if it would have made it more identifiable or not). What happened to the first baby that came over to America from Germany was never explained, unless I missed that. I assume this was a good catharsis for the author as it helped sort out her upbringing and family history, but I had trouble keeping the flow of the story going as I read. Glad others enjoyed it.
July 28, 2023
I read this book because the author, Heidi, grew up in Alamo and most of the story takes place in Alamo. One funny story is when the family has a picnic at the new rest stop in Alamo, like why couldn’t they go a park?
Heidi’s mother, Didi, has epilepsy and is mentally ill. Didi was born in Germany and when she was 14? her mother dropped her off at an orphanage and never came back for her. She was raised by nuns during WWII and experienced many sad situations. She ends up living with her aunt and uncle until she meets an American soldier who she marries and immigrates to the USA with. “While her (mother Didi) upbringing explains her mental state, it’s hard to present this as the reason or excuse for how she treated her children…”
Heidi’s mother, Didi, has epilepsy and is mentally ill. Didi was born in Germany and when she was 14? her mother dropped her off at an orphanage and never came back for her. She was raised by nuns during WWII and experienced many sad situations. She ends up living with her aunt and uncle until she meets an American soldier who she marries and immigrates to the USA with. “While her (mother Didi) upbringing explains her mental state, it’s hard to present this as the reason or excuse for how she treated her children…”
March 17, 2022
Wonderful "memoir" style novel about growing up in small town America. The author shares serious and humorous semi-autobiographical accounts of her family life and the difficulties of living with a mentally ill parent. McCrary's conversational style has you fully immersed in the world of Alamo from page 1. A great read!
February 27, 2023
While the story has potential, the author does not convey the intensity of the people, emotions and events with language that grips the reader. I did not find the voices authentic and found errors in the description of events in Germany.
November 3, 2020
I enjoyed reading Heidi's first book! She painted a picture of mental illness and how it impacts a family (and how it makes you a strong person). Thank you for sharing your story!
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