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Casson Family #2
Indigos Star
IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE START OF A NEW TERM, AND THE ECCENTRIC CASSONS ARE UP TO THEIR OLD TRICKS! Indigo, having just recovered from a bout of mononucleosis, must return to school after missing an entire semester. Only his younger sister and loyal sidekick, Rose, knows why he's dreading it so much. As it turns out, the school bullies are eagerly awaiting Indigo's return so that they can pick up where they left off -- flushing his head in the toilet. But Indigo hasn't counted on meeting Tom, an American student who is staying with his grandmother in England for the year. With his couldn't-care-less attitude and rock-and-roll lifestyle, Tom becomes Indigo's ally, and together they work to take back the school. Meanwhile, eight-year-old Rose is desperately trying to avoid wearing horrible glasses, nineteen-year-old Caddy is agonizing over her many suitors, Saffy is working overtime with her best friend, Sarah, to protect Indigo from the gang, and with their father, Bill, in London at his art studio, their mother, Eve, is just trying to stay on top of it all!
Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Hilary McKay
134 books387 followersHilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child "I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home."
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
November 13, 2014
This is the second in the Casson Family series by Hilary McKay. It reads well as a standalone (an understatement, it reads perfectly and joyously and richly, like the best slice of cake at the best possible time on the best possible day) but treat yourself and read the others. It has been too long since I read these books and I have reserved them all at the library to wallow in on a rainy day. Or a sunny day. Any day, really, for these books are worth cancelling worlds for.
Indigo's Star focuses on Indigo and his return to school after a long bout of illness. He is not keen to go back but go back he must and face the bullies who are there and seem centred on him. That is, until a new boy arrives to join Indigo's class and Tom, as the blurb on the back says, "will make all the difference." Alongside this plot, we have Rose being vividly gorgeous and writing letters to make her dad come home: "Darling Daddy. This is Rose. The shed needs new wires now it has blown up. Caddy is bringing home rock bottom boyfriends to see if they will do for Mummy. Instead of you. Love Rose."
I love what Hilary McKay does. Sometimes I think through reading so much and simply having so much to choose from, we can miss the great perfect things that are here for us and just aching to be read. Reading McKay is like therapy. This book is full of a tumultuous joy. She captures family quite perfectly; the layering of relationships, the mixture of love and hate and awkwardness and pain and secrets that is family and she does it quite perfectly.
This book (and, to be fair, all of her books) are joyful, joyful things. Indigo's Star shifts from hilarity through to intense vivid pain and right back again and oh God, how you miss it when it's done.
Indigo's Star focuses on Indigo and his return to school after a long bout of illness. He is not keen to go back but go back he must and face the bullies who are there and seem centred on him. That is, until a new boy arrives to join Indigo's class and Tom, as the blurb on the back says, "will make all the difference." Alongside this plot, we have Rose being vividly gorgeous and writing letters to make her dad come home: "Darling Daddy. This is Rose. The shed needs new wires now it has blown up. Caddy is bringing home rock bottom boyfriends to see if they will do for Mummy. Instead of you. Love Rose."
I love what Hilary McKay does. Sometimes I think through reading so much and simply having so much to choose from, we can miss the great perfect things that are here for us and just aching to be read. Reading McKay is like therapy. This book is full of a tumultuous joy. She captures family quite perfectly; the layering of relationships, the mixture of love and hate and awkwardness and pain and secrets that is family and she does it quite perfectly.
This book (and, to be fair, all of her books) are joyful, joyful things. Indigo's Star shifts from hilarity through to intense vivid pain and right back again and oh God, how you miss it when it's done.
May 27, 2008
This is the second book about the Casson family (after Saffy's Angel). I have a particular fondness for stories about siblings who have their own subculture and societal structure(e.g. Half Magic, Little Women, The Penderwicks, Terrible Horrible Edie). This one is especially good. It manages to address so many themes that are dear to me(the difficulties and delights of being eccentric, the tyranny of schoolyard bullies, the importance of being kind to the underdog, family love and loyalty)in a way that is heartfelt, serious, and funny. Also, I love the protagonist, Indigo. He is a 12-year-old boy who gives us an alternative to the selfishness, preoccupation with conformity and status, and intellectual sluggishness that we so often associate with the adolescent male (think of the comic strip Zits, for example).
March 30, 2014
Rose graduates from notes to letters in Indigo's Star, and it's equally hilarious.
That said, I enjoyed this book less than Saffy's Angel. I still liked it a lot, and it made me laugh out loud quite a few times, but it's a much clearer precursor to Binny for Short. There were very similar plot elements, and the overlap was disconcerting. There were some decidedly hazy details, too: did Eve and Bill really get divorced without telling Rose - or was Samantha a not-very-funny joke? How old is Derek exactly? Rose's perspective isn't too clear, which is realistic, but confusing, too.
The next book is about Rose, and I've already got it on hold (though I'm wondering if Rose will be best in smaller doses).
That said, I enjoyed this book less than Saffy's Angel. I still liked it a lot, and it made me laugh out loud quite a few times, but it's a much clearer precursor to Binny for Short. There were very similar plot elements, and the overlap was disconcerting. There were some decidedly hazy details, too: did Eve and Bill really get divorced without telling Rose - or was Samantha a not-very-funny joke? How old is Derek exactly? Rose's perspective isn't too clear, which is realistic, but confusing, too.
The next book is about Rose, and I've already got it on hold (though I'm wondering if Rose will be best in smaller doses).
January 21, 2013
Indigo’s Star is the second book in the Casson family series and is more of a companion novel than a proper sequel to Saffy’s Angel – although it could be read as stand-alone but to do so would deprive you of the delights of that first book. Believe me: you don’t want that to happen.
This particular entry focuses on Indigo, the sole boy in the family as he is about to go back to school after a long illness. It soon emerges that before getting ill, Indigo was being bullied at school. Only his youngest sister (Permanent) Rose knows what happens and they are both understandably anxious about his returning to school. But there is a new student, Tom-from- America, who gets the unwanted attention away from Indigo. Ultimately, the two become friends with a little help from Rose.
I say that the novel “focus on Indigo” but this is not quite correct as it has become clear to me that this is an ensemble series. As such, as Indigo and Tom become fast friends, the entire Casson family share the stoplight too. Caddy, now in college is still entangled with former driving instructor Michael but keeps coming back home with potential new boyfriends (ore are they?); Saffron and her best friend Sarah organise to take care of both Indigo and Rose; as the latter is desperately trying to get their (increasingly absent) father’s attention.
Back when I reviewed Saffy’s Angel I said how that book had made me think of the way that literature can engage meaningfully and smartly with difficult topics. Here, there is bullying (as well as complicity and silence), absent-minded parenting as well as absent-for-real parenting, divorce and moving on and how these affect children. As an adult it is so easy to forget how seemingly simple things can torment children and this book reminded me of that by portraying this in a very compassionate way.
The book is also interspersed with the most hilarious letters from Rose to Bill. They provide her own version of everything that is happening in their lives but with her choosing to stress or reinforce the elements she feels will scare Bill into coming back home:
“Darling Daddy,
This is Rose.
So flames went all up the kitchen wall. Saffron called the fire brigade and the police came too to see if it was a trick and the police woman said to Saffron Here You Are Again because of when I got lost having my glasses checked. But I was with Tom whose grandmother is a witch on top of the highest place in town.
Love, Rose.”
In the relationship between Rose and her father is where I think, Indigo’s Star is at the height of its cleverness-meets-heartfelt: because of course, Rose’s letters are an indirect plea for help that are often sadly ignored by Bill. Until he comes through at Rose’s greatest time of need –in that very moment, Rose understands her father completely and sees both the good and the bad in him. It is a very special and powerful moment in the story when she fully sees Bill and understands he quite possibly will never truly understand her. Which is heartbreaking in itself but all the more so when Rose is clearly the more artistic child of the family, something that she could truly share with her artist father but can’t.
Speaking of artistic tendencies, it is awesome to see how art, emotion and family intertwine here. This is true when it comes to Tom and Indigo playing the guitar and how music connects them both; or how Eve becomes more engaged with their community; and especially how Rose paints the picture of her family on the kitchen wall and as the story progresses, so do the painting with new additions like Sarah and Tom and with Bill always on the outskirts.
This idea of a fluid family that embraces new members as they come along is the core of these books with the understanding that blood ties are important but so are the ties of friendship and true understanding and bonding:
“There are all sorts of families,” Tom’s grandmother had remarked, and over the following few weeks Tom became part of the Casson family, as Micheal and Sarah and Derek-from-the-camp had done before him.
He immediately discovered that being a member of the family was very different from being a welcome friend. If you were a Casson family member, for example, and Eve drifted in from the shed asking, “Food? Any ideas? Or shall we not bother?” then you either joined in the search of the kitchen cupboards or counted the money in the housekeeping jam jar and calculated how many pizzas you could afford. Also, if you were a family member you took care of Rose, helped with homework (Saffron and Sarah were very strict about homework), unloaded the washing machine, learned to fold up Sarah’s wheelchair, hunted for car keys, and kept up the hopeful theory that in the event of a crisis Bill Casson would disengage himself from his artistic life in London and rush home to help.”
Finally, I also love how there are no strict gender roles here, how all the members of the family have interests that are not dependent on their gender and how they are all equally protective, emotive and active participants on the Casson comfort machine.
Indigo’s Star is funny, moving and thoughtful featuring amazingly subtle, complex and clever writing. This is becoming one of the best Middle Grade series I have ever read.
This particular entry focuses on Indigo, the sole boy in the family as he is about to go back to school after a long illness. It soon emerges that before getting ill, Indigo was being bullied at school. Only his youngest sister (Permanent) Rose knows what happens and they are both understandably anxious about his returning to school. But there is a new student, Tom-from- America, who gets the unwanted attention away from Indigo. Ultimately, the two become friends with a little help from Rose.
I say that the novel “focus on Indigo” but this is not quite correct as it has become clear to me that this is an ensemble series. As such, as Indigo and Tom become fast friends, the entire Casson family share the stoplight too. Caddy, now in college is still entangled with former driving instructor Michael but keeps coming back home with potential new boyfriends (ore are they?); Saffron and her best friend Sarah organise to take care of both Indigo and Rose; as the latter is desperately trying to get their (increasingly absent) father’s attention.
Back when I reviewed Saffy’s Angel I said how that book had made me think of the way that literature can engage meaningfully and smartly with difficult topics. Here, there is bullying (as well as complicity and silence), absent-minded parenting as well as absent-for-real parenting, divorce and moving on and how these affect children. As an adult it is so easy to forget how seemingly simple things can torment children and this book reminded me of that by portraying this in a very compassionate way.
The book is also interspersed with the most hilarious letters from Rose to Bill. They provide her own version of everything that is happening in their lives but with her choosing to stress or reinforce the elements she feels will scare Bill into coming back home:
“Darling Daddy,
This is Rose.
So flames went all up the kitchen wall. Saffron called the fire brigade and the police came too to see if it was a trick and the police woman said to Saffron Here You Are Again because of when I got lost having my glasses checked. But I was with Tom whose grandmother is a witch on top of the highest place in town.
Love, Rose.”
In the relationship between Rose and her father is where I think, Indigo’s Star is at the height of its cleverness-meets-heartfelt: because of course, Rose’s letters are an indirect plea for help that are often sadly ignored by Bill. Until he comes through at Rose’s greatest time of need –in that very moment, Rose understands her father completely and sees both the good and the bad in him. It is a very special and powerful moment in the story when she fully sees Bill and understands he quite possibly will never truly understand her. Which is heartbreaking in itself but all the more so when Rose is clearly the more artistic child of the family, something that she could truly share with her artist father but can’t.
Speaking of artistic tendencies, it is awesome to see how art, emotion and family intertwine here. This is true when it comes to Tom and Indigo playing the guitar and how music connects them both; or how Eve becomes more engaged with their community; and especially how Rose paints the picture of her family on the kitchen wall and as the story progresses, so do the painting with new additions like Sarah and Tom and with Bill always on the outskirts.
This idea of a fluid family that embraces new members as they come along is the core of these books with the understanding that blood ties are important but so are the ties of friendship and true understanding and bonding:
“There are all sorts of families,” Tom’s grandmother had remarked, and over the following few weeks Tom became part of the Casson family, as Micheal and Sarah and Derek-from-the-camp had done before him.
He immediately discovered that being a member of the family was very different from being a welcome friend. If you were a Casson family member, for example, and Eve drifted in from the shed asking, “Food? Any ideas? Or shall we not bother?” then you either joined in the search of the kitchen cupboards or counted the money in the housekeeping jam jar and calculated how many pizzas you could afford. Also, if you were a family member you took care of Rose, helped with homework (Saffron and Sarah were very strict about homework), unloaded the washing machine, learned to fold up Sarah’s wheelchair, hunted for car keys, and kept up the hopeful theory that in the event of a crisis Bill Casson would disengage himself from his artistic life in London and rush home to help.”
Finally, I also love how there are no strict gender roles here, how all the members of the family have interests that are not dependent on their gender and how they are all equally protective, emotive and active participants on the Casson comfort machine.
Indigo’s Star is funny, moving and thoughtful featuring amazingly subtle, complex and clever writing. This is becoming one of the best Middle Grade series I have ever read.
April 11, 2020
I don’t know how she does it!
These books honestly make my heart float & fill with happiness :) EVERYONE should read these!
These books honestly make my heart float & fill with happiness :) EVERYONE should read these!
August 6, 2013
While not as laugh-out-loud hilarious as the first book, this is a great follow-up to Saffy's Angel. Indigo is the quiet child of the family, the one with the most (any) reserve. It's no surprise, then, that he has difficulties with bullies at school. Indigo's classmates form the backdrop to the story, but I was glad to find that they weren't its heart.
The story picks up with Indigo returning to school after an extended convalescence. While the bullies reassert themselves, we meet Tom--a new kid in school recently arrived from America. When Saffy and Sarah put Indigo off limits (for certain values of off-limits), the gang turns, quite naturally, to the next available outsider. Tom is happy to oblige.
I confess that I didn't really like Tom very much. He's a brash young liar who doesn't really care for anybody else and is happy to let them know it. Indigo, being who he is, can't keep himself from trying to help Tom, even though he has made it clear that he doesn't want help any more than he needs it. Of course, things proceed in standard Casson fashion from there.
While I didn't like Tom (and still don't, really), I very much appreciated his growing friendship with Indigo. You know going in, of course, that they will end up friends. Trust McKay to map out a non-standard, but completely natural, path to get there, however. What could have been a trite exposition about standing up for outsiders and finding value in our differences ends up as a deeper exploration of love and friendship and absorbing change without becoming broken. In the end, I came to like Tom for the sake of his relationship with Indigo (and Rose). And that, at least in the message delivered very cleverly by the end, is exactly perfect.
There is a lot of ancillary activity in the rest of the Casson family in the course of the story--including disruptions that are rather fundamental. McKay isn't afraid to shake things up and mix the bitter with the sweet any more than she is reluctant to mix the melancholy with the hilarious. I'm still not sure what I think of some of the changes, but I'm grateful that McKay has the fortitude to make them. My heart goes out to poor Rose, though. I'm really glad that her novel is next. I can't wait to get started.
The story picks up with Indigo returning to school after an extended convalescence. While the bullies reassert themselves, we meet Tom--a new kid in school recently arrived from America. When Saffy and Sarah put Indigo off limits (for certain values of off-limits), the gang turns, quite naturally, to the next available outsider. Tom is happy to oblige.
I confess that I didn't really like Tom very much. He's a brash young liar who doesn't really care for anybody else and is happy to let them know it. Indigo, being who he is, can't keep himself from trying to help Tom, even though he has made it clear that he doesn't want help any more than he needs it. Of course, things proceed in standard Casson fashion from there.
While I didn't like Tom (and still don't, really), I very much appreciated his growing friendship with Indigo. You know going in, of course, that they will end up friends. Trust McKay to map out a non-standard, but completely natural, path to get there, however. What could have been a trite exposition about standing up for outsiders and finding value in our differences ends up as a deeper exploration of love and friendship and absorbing change without becoming broken. In the end, I came to like Tom for the sake of his relationship with Indigo (and Rose). And that, at least in the message delivered very cleverly by the end, is exactly perfect.
There is a lot of ancillary activity in the rest of the Casson family in the course of the story--including disruptions that are rather fundamental. McKay isn't afraid to shake things up and mix the bitter with the sweet any more than she is reluctant to mix the melancholy with the hilarious. I'm still not sure what I think of some of the changes, but I'm grateful that McKay has the fortitude to make them. My heart goes out to poor Rose, though. I'm really glad that her novel is next. I can't wait to get started.
December 24, 2008
The book Indigo Star is one of my most favorite books ever. It is about a boy names Indigo who has just recovered from a sickness and is coming back to school for the first time in a while. He is trying to deal with bullies, while also trying to get Sarah and Saffy (his sister and her friend) to butt out of his school life. He also meets and befriends a boy named Tom. His sister Rose also befriends him too. Tom loves to play guitar and hang out with his two friends. I really liked this book because its about the difficulties and pleasures of life. Sadly, towards the end Tom has to move back with one of his divorced parents. The Casson's family's parents are split up to. The father is in London. The mother lives with the kids but spends most of her time painting in her shed. Both the mother and father are artists. There is also a sequel to the book, which I will be reading soon. I highly recommend this great book to anyone.
Leah Yared
-272 pages
Leah Yared
-272 pages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2019
never tell me [i've read this series too many times]. it's not possible.
December 25, 2019
Indigo Casson has been having trouble with bullies at school, but when their attention shifts to a new target, Indigo makes a new friend. Meanwhile, Rose attempts to draw their father Bill back to the family, as he seems to be drifting away, and Caddy postpones her inevitable romance with Darling Michael by trying out a series of ridiculous boyfriends.
Gosh, I love the Cassons. (Except for Bill, who is a bit of a jerk.) I think this book is even better than the previous one.
Gosh, I love the Cassons. (Except for Bill, who is a bit of a jerk.) I think this book is even better than the previous one.
April 24, 2019
Indigos family consists of many people. These people include his mother, his sisters (Rose, Saffy, and Caddy), all named after colors. They have this cool family rule where they put their money in a jar on the window shelf and you can take some if you need. Indigo is just getting over a fever and is dreading going back to class. Rose, the youngest, is worrying about Indigo and her new glasses. Saffy is being bossy, which is new for her, and even got a new friend. Caddy, the oldest, worries about her boyfriend and driving lessons. I think this book is super good and I love this author. I plan to read all of these books.
June 23, 2020
Such an utterly satisfying series, this one! The Casson family remind me of the eccentric and wonderful Mortmain family from Dodie Smith's classic, I Capture The Castle. On to volume three!
November 27, 2021
This was always my favourite Casson Family book - re-reading it now, it still glows.
August 20, 2021
4.5 stars
July 16, 2025
A book for older children or younger teens about the delightful and disorganised Casson family. Indigo has been off school for some time with glandular fever, and although he is now recovered he doesn't want to go back to school at all, because he has been badly bullied. However, at last he must return... and to his surprise he meets a new boy, Tom, who does not seem to be worried by the bullies...
The story isn't just about school, or about bullying, however. There's an underlying thread about family breakdowns, with a sad but not unexpected revelation towards the end of the book. It's about family loyalty, too; Rose, Indigo's small sister, takes up the cudgels on his behalf and Tom is easily accepted and adopted into the extended Casson family chaos.
It's about maturity, too; about learning to deal with fears and worries, and about facing up to the worst that life can bring. There's nice irony in the book, and some light humour, and a great deal of warmth.
I didn't think it was quite as wonderfully refreshing as 'Saffy's Angel', the first book in the series, but still an engrossing and enjoyable book. It stands alone, so although more things make sense when read as a sequel, it's not necessary to have read that first.
Recommended to anyone of about eight or nine and older, including adults who want a light and relaxing read.
Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
The story isn't just about school, or about bullying, however. There's an underlying thread about family breakdowns, with a sad but not unexpected revelation towards the end of the book. It's about family loyalty, too; Rose, Indigo's small sister, takes up the cudgels on his behalf and Tom is easily accepted and adopted into the extended Casson family chaos.
It's about maturity, too; about learning to deal with fears and worries, and about facing up to the worst that life can bring. There's nice irony in the book, and some light humour, and a great deal of warmth.
I didn't think it was quite as wonderfully refreshing as 'Saffy's Angel', the first book in the series, but still an engrossing and enjoyable book. It stands alone, so although more things make sense when read as a sequel, it's not necessary to have read that first.
Recommended to anyone of about eight or nine and older, including adults who want a light and relaxing read.
Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
April 17, 2015
I read the first book of this series a long time ago so I was concerned I had forgotten what had happened and who the characters were. Actually I didn't need to worry. This book does a tiny bit of re-capping but also stands alone very well.
Indigo has had glandular fever and is going back to school for the first time for a term. He is dreading it and only Rose his younger sister knows it's because of a gang of bullies. But Indigo meets Tom who is new in his year which changes everything. Saffy and Sarah are knuckling down with homework and also kick ass with some bullies. Caddy is failing to dump many boyfriends and keeps bringing them home and Rose is permanantly annoyed with her absent dad, is working on a picture in the kitchen and writes very amusing letters. Eve is hilariously bad at food shopping and a brilliant portryal of an artist who has skill but not many life skills.
I really enjoyed this. There is much British humour which is very funny and you get a clear picture of all of the characters. I found it easy to relate to and many topics that are relevant for teens such as bullying, relationships and families are portrayed and dealt with in many ways. I also liked the character of Tom who started as an outsider and learned to appreciate family values.
An easy read with eccentric characters and brilliant humour.
Indigo has had glandular fever and is going back to school for the first time for a term. He is dreading it and only Rose his younger sister knows it's because of a gang of bullies. But Indigo meets Tom who is new in his year which changes everything. Saffy and Sarah are knuckling down with homework and also kick ass with some bullies. Caddy is failing to dump many boyfriends and keeps bringing them home and Rose is permanantly annoyed with her absent dad, is working on a picture in the kitchen and writes very amusing letters. Eve is hilariously bad at food shopping and a brilliant portryal of an artist who has skill but not many life skills.
I really enjoyed this. There is much British humour which is very funny and you get a clear picture of all of the characters. I found it easy to relate to and many topics that are relevant for teens such as bullying, relationships and families are portrayed and dealt with in many ways. I also liked the character of Tom who started as an outsider and learned to appreciate family values.
An easy read with eccentric characters and brilliant humour.
October 7, 2016
I liked this one better than Saffy's Angel, though I reallyyy wasn't sure in the beginning. (Bullying stories are the worst! It's hard enough that bullying exists, do I have to read about it.) But the found family is so great in this book. Sarah's always around, and Michael, and Derek, and plenty of Caddy's boyfriends, and Tom. I liked Tom a lot and I liked his friendship (reluctant at first!) with Rose. It made me enjoy Rose much more than in the previous book, and I am contemplating the next one - named for said Rose! - with much less dread than I was after the first book.
The parenting is still horrendous - though Rose's letters to her father are funny, it's hard to separate it from the fact that Bill just doesn't see his children ever, and neither parent mention that they're not together anymore and dating other people (what the f, seriously). But the kids being a little more grown-up compensates, luckily.
I wish we could have kept Tom forever.
The parenting is still horrendous - though Rose's letters to her father are funny, it's hard to separate it from the fact that Bill just doesn't see his children ever, and neither parent mention that they're not together anymore and dating other people (what the f, seriously). But the kids being a little more grown-up compensates, luckily.
I wish we could have kept Tom forever.
March 25, 2009
I was a little worried at the start that i wouldn't be able to handle the family situation, just due to being sensitive right now. But the author didn't go deep enough to make it hurt too much.
The book was more about "Rose" and her anger and her constant trying to bring her father home and make them a family. Instead he misinterpets everything, even when he does return he doesn't stay. and I could be misquoting but it seemed to me that Rose was saying often "He was bad and he was good" and that you take what you can from people. I don't know that i had indigo all figured out and that is ok, even good maybe. It was a little to perfect to have tom go back the way he did, while making the 180 in about 4 seconds. But over all just deep enough to have something but not deep enough to bring you down. Very good book, and probably would be more meaningful if read as a kid.
The book was more about "Rose" and her anger and her constant trying to bring her father home and make them a family. Instead he misinterpets everything, even when he does return he doesn't stay. and I could be misquoting but it seemed to me that Rose was saying often "He was bad and he was good" and that you take what you can from people. I don't know that i had indigo all figured out and that is ok, even good maybe. It was a little to perfect to have tom go back the way he did, while making the 180 in about 4 seconds. But over all just deep enough to have something but not deep enough to bring you down. Very good book, and probably would be more meaningful if read as a kid.
September 2, 2011
Well, evidently I'm in the minority again, according to star ratings on goodreads.com. Most readers liked this book. I forced myself to finish it because it was nominated for PPYA. I have nothing against strange families, but I just didn't get into the action of the book at all. The characters were cool, but, meh. Maybe because this book is written more for younger readers? I'm hoping that's it. I just didn't see an audience for it all with my high school students.
Indigo is a 12-year-old boy who is bullied at school because he's weird. His family is strange and he is strange--no big deal, right? When an American boy moves in, Indigo defends the new kid and the two become fast friends. Indigo's eight-year-old sister was my favorite character in the book--her innocence made the best parts of the book for me.
Indigo is a 12-year-old boy who is bullied at school because he's weird. His family is strange and he is strange--no big deal, right? When an American boy moves in, Indigo defends the new kid and the two become fast friends. Indigo's eight-year-old sister was my favorite character in the book--her innocence made the best parts of the book for me.
October 5, 2014
Five stars might be a bit much, but I'm just enjoying these books SO MUCH. I was originally saving this for Saturday, but I ended up starting it last night (Friday) because I needed something wonderful after finishing the okay-ish Honor's Knight.
Having read my friends's reviews, yes, I can see how Rose takes over. (I still like her a fair amount. I really liked her friendship with Tom. More so than Tom and Indigo's friendship, really.)
The parents, Bill especially, are not so great.
But much fun over all. I love how the Cassons just fold everyone into their family.
Having read my friends's reviews, yes, I can see how Rose takes over. (I still like her a fair amount. I really liked her friendship with Tom. More so than Tom and Indigo's friendship, really.)
The parents, Bill especially, are not so great.
But much fun over all. I love how the Cassons just fold everyone into their family.
February 8, 2014
Actual rating: 6/5 stars because this book is perfect.
I had two other books on the go when I started Indigo's Star, and yet I finished Indigo's Star first because I couldn't put it down. Saffy's Angel was great, but I find Saffy to be the least interesting Casson child, and spending this novel with Indigo and Rose was a treat.
I felt like an honourary member of the Casson family as I read. I laughed out loud with them, I was angry for them, and I cried on their behalf.
Again, this book is perfect. The plot is engaging and well-paced, the characters are rich, and the humour and emotion are real. It's a beautiful book.
I had two other books on the go when I started Indigo's Star, and yet I finished Indigo's Star first because I couldn't put it down. Saffy's Angel was great, but I find Saffy to be the least interesting Casson child, and spending this novel with Indigo and Rose was a treat.
I felt like an honourary member of the Casson family as I read. I laughed out loud with them, I was angry for them, and I cried on their behalf.
Again, this book is perfect. The plot is engaging and well-paced, the characters are rich, and the humour and emotion are real. It's a beautiful book.
July 23, 2021
I preferred this book to its predecessor Saffy's Angel. The story is messier in a life-like way: like Rose's painting, it revolves around the changing relationships between family members.
September 25, 2021
I reread the book to see if I can read it with my students (5th grade). This series was one of my favorites when I was a child and it absolutely holds up. So many subjects are addressed that are relevant for kids and teens. But it is done in such a funny and heartfelt way that it is such a joy to read.
August 24, 2020
This was my favourite book from age 11. I read it so many times that I essentially had it on permanent loan from the library and knew it almost word for word. I hadn’t read it since I was probably 14 or 15 but I can now confirm it holds up to adult reading. I reread this and two of the other books in the series in two hungry days.
July 31, 2025
hello why am i unable to find the rest of the audiobooks in this series??!! 😭 i have the urge to reread this entire series in one sitting
so much joy and love in this family…. the sweetest characters, full of weirdness
so much joy and love in this family…. the sweetest characters, full of weirdness
September 11, 2025
I love this series, and cannot resist reading it again, and again and again!
One more time for summer reading!
One more time for summer reading!
October 10, 2019
4 ****stars
A nice, solidly written middle grade book about the meaning of true friendship, family and discovering one's true nature.
Told from Indigo's perspective, he explains about meeting Tom, an American boy sent to England by his family for his lack of respect, feelings for others and doing poorly in school. He is taken in by his grandmother and starts school in the U.K.. His "I don't care attitude" gets him noticed by the Headmaster, the school bully and Indigo.
The two boys slowly become friends as Tom teaches Indigo how to play the guitar, stand up for himself and conquer his fear of heights, among other things. Soon, Tom is like a member of Indigo's family.
But as quickly as Tom arrives, he must return to America at the end of the school term. It is at this time that both boys realize the meaning if being a true friend to another person. The author does this brilliantly, making the last few chapters into a "life lesson" for her readers.
I enjoyed this book very much, despite the lower reading level. It reminded me a lot about my years in middle school. This novel is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
A nice, solidly written middle grade book about the meaning of true friendship, family and discovering one's true nature.
Told from Indigo's perspective, he explains about meeting Tom, an American boy sent to England by his family for his lack of respect, feelings for others and doing poorly in school. He is taken in by his grandmother and starts school in the U.K.. His "I don't care attitude" gets him noticed by the Headmaster, the school bully and Indigo.
The two boys slowly become friends as Tom teaches Indigo how to play the guitar, stand up for himself and conquer his fear of heights, among other things. Soon, Tom is like a member of Indigo's family.
But as quickly as Tom arrives, he must return to America at the end of the school term. It is at this time that both boys realize the meaning if being a true friend to another person. The author does this brilliantly, making the last few chapters into a "life lesson" for her readers.
I enjoyed this book very much, despite the lower reading level. It reminded me a lot about my years in middle school. This novel is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2019
Toinen kirja, joka kertoo boheemin Cassonin perheen erikoisesta elämästä.
Ei ihan ollut niin hauska, kuin ensimmäinen kirja, mutta kyllä tämäkin oli melko hulvaton ja jaksoi naurattaa monessa kohtaa. Kirja ei ole pelkästään hauska, vaan myös surullinen. Cassonin perheen isällä on ollut tapana käydä kotona vain viikonloppuisin katsomassa perhettään. Muun ajan Bill on viettänyt vapaata taiteilijaelämää Lontoossa. Kirjan toisessa osassa isä käy aina vain vähemmän kotona. Ei juuri lainkaan. Eniten isää kotiin kaipaa perheen kuopus Rose eli "kestoroosa". Rosa alkaa kirjoittaa isälleen toinen toistaan karmaisevampia kirjeitä, jotta saisi isän tulemaan kotiin katsomaan heitä. Muutkin lapset toivovat, että isä tulisi käymään kotona, mutta lähinnä sen takia, että joku ostaisi ruokaa kaappiin. Perheen äidiltä Eveltä, kun ruokakaupassa käyminen tahtoo unohtua. Hän kun keskittyy vain maalaamaan.
Indigoa (perheen poikaa) kiusataan koulussa jengiläisten toimesta. Jengiläisten valta alkaa kuitenkin murentua, kun kouluun tulee kitaraa soittava poika, joka ei tunnu pelkäävän ketään.
Ei ihan ollut niin hauska, kuin ensimmäinen kirja, mutta kyllä tämäkin oli melko hulvaton ja jaksoi naurattaa monessa kohtaa. Kirja ei ole pelkästään hauska, vaan myös surullinen. Cassonin perheen isällä on ollut tapana käydä kotona vain viikonloppuisin katsomassa perhettään. Muun ajan Bill on viettänyt vapaata taiteilijaelämää Lontoossa. Kirjan toisessa osassa isä käy aina vain vähemmän kotona. Ei juuri lainkaan. Eniten isää kotiin kaipaa perheen kuopus Rose eli "kestoroosa". Rosa alkaa kirjoittaa isälleen toinen toistaan karmaisevampia kirjeitä, jotta saisi isän tulemaan kotiin katsomaan heitä. Muutkin lapset toivovat, että isä tulisi käymään kotona, mutta lähinnä sen takia, että joku ostaisi ruokaa kaappiin. Perheen äidiltä Eveltä, kun ruokakaupassa käyminen tahtoo unohtua. Hän kun keskittyy vain maalaamaan.
Indigoa (perheen poikaa) kiusataan koulussa jengiläisten toimesta. Jengiläisten valta alkaa kuitenkin murentua, kun kouluun tulee kitaraa soittava poika, joka ei tunnu pelkäävän ketään.
September 20, 2017
Indigo Casson, the third of four Casson children, stars in this sequel to Saffy's Angel (2002). Having just returned to school from a month-long illness, Indigo befriends an American student who has become the target of the school bully, a position once held by Indigo.
Characters: Caddie- in college
Saffy- 13 or 14
Indigo- 11
Rose- 8
Sarah- friend of Saffy's /disabled/confined to a wheelchair
Tom- American friend/plays the guitar
Eve- mom/artist
Bill- father/ artist/ lives in London
Question: Why would the author make such a big deal about Indigo having recovered from mono? What part does this play in the story? (couldn't really tell but she spend so much time focusing on it that I'm trying to figure it out)
What is the significance of the title?
Why does Rose bond with Tom so much?
How should the bully structure have been handled differently? What role did the headmaster [principal] play (or not play) in the story?
Characters: Caddie- in college
Saffy- 13 or 14
Indigo- 11
Rose- 8
Sarah- friend of Saffy's /disabled/confined to a wheelchair
Tom- American friend/plays the guitar
Eve- mom/artist
Bill- father/ artist/ lives in London
Question: Why would the author make such a big deal about Indigo having recovered from mono? What part does this play in the story? (couldn't really tell but she spend so much time focusing on it that I'm trying to figure it out)
What is the significance of the title?
Why does Rose bond with Tom so much?
How should the bully structure have been handled differently? What role did the headmaster [principal] play (or not play) in the story?
December 3, 2017
McKay has written a number of books about the Casson family, and Indigo's character has always seemed the least developed, possibly because the author is less sure about how to handle a boy's voice. Unlike his sisters, Indigo never seems to have a personality of his own. it's nice to see him get a book to himself, but even here he serves more as a foil for Tom and Rose than the star of his own story.
This is a low-key coming of age story. There are no great battles or life-and-death decisions, but there are challenges any young teenager can relate to: bullying and feeling unaccepted. The Casson stories are great books to read aloud for bedtimes or family gatherings because they feature realistic characters at a variety of ages. The gentle humor and offbeat plots are fun.
My main criticism of this novel (aside from the character issues) is that nothing much happens. The plot drags along to a less-than-satisfying conclusion. While this is still a better book than a lot of YA fiction, it doesn't live up to McKay's usual standard.
This is a low-key coming of age story. There are no great battles or life-and-death decisions, but there are challenges any young teenager can relate to: bullying and feeling unaccepted. The Casson stories are great books to read aloud for bedtimes or family gatherings because they feature realistic characters at a variety of ages. The gentle humor and offbeat plots are fun.
My main criticism of this novel (aside from the character issues) is that nothing much happens. The plot drags along to a less-than-satisfying conclusion. While this is still a better book than a lot of YA fiction, it doesn't live up to McKay's usual standard.
July 14, 2024
Indigo's Star has been one of my favorite childhood- teen books. I also hated school so the quote "Indigo woke up feeling a shade of doom" was so relatable that finding this book when I was at a similar time in my life where I could relate to a character in this book was magnificent.
I also love the whole Carson family. They make me feel safe and the entire family dynamic and relationship is beautiful except for the dad. The chaos and home life make me want to be adopted by this family.
A question that I always pondered is do you think the Carson family's Dad (a "proper artist") is a bad dad to the family?
I personally feel like he abandons them until his children really need him, however, one could argue that he is just making money and that is the family dynamic. Personally, I always thought he was having an affair with someone else.
I also love the whole Carson family. They make me feel safe and the entire family dynamic and relationship is beautiful except for the dad. The chaos and home life make me want to be adopted by this family.
A question that I always pondered is do you think the Carson family's Dad (a "proper artist") is a bad dad to the family?
I personally feel like he abandons them until his children really need him, however, one could argue that he is just making money and that is the family dynamic. Personally, I always thought he was having an affair with someone else.
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