BOOK CLUB Brain Play “THE WEIGHT OF THE STARS”

AUTHOR: K. Ancrum

GENRE: Young Adult Contemporary

AGES: 12+

RATING: AAAAA

SYNOPSIS: Ryann Bird dreams of traveling across the stars. But a career in space isn't an option for a girl who lives in a trailer park on the wrong side of town. So, Ryann becomes her circumstances and settles for acting out and skipping school to hang out with her delinquent friends.

One day she meets Alexandria, a furious loner who spurns Ryann's offer of friendship. After a horrific accident leaves Alexandria with a broken arm, the two misfits are brought together despite themselves—and Ryann learns her secret: Alexandria's mother is an astronaut who volunteered for a one-way trip to the edge of the solar system.

Every night without fail, Alexandria waits to catch radio signals from her mother. And it's up to Ryann to lift her onto the roof day after day until the silence between them grows into friendship, and eventually something more...

MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THIS BOOK: "Love is not about holding people where you want them. It is about doing what's best for them because you need them to be okay."

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS: The writing style! Ancrum crafts a beautiful, cozy world full of lively characters that will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.

MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK IS: Ryann Bird! She is such a complex character that reflects many universal experiences with navigating friendships in school.

FANS OF THIS BOOK MAY ALSO LIKE: “Ophelia After All” by Raquel Marie, “Rise to the Sun” by Leah Johnson, “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo

Three More Books To Try

“THE STRANGERS"

AUTHOR: Margaret Peterson Haddix

AGES: 8 - 12

SYNOPSIS: Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone are siblings who stumble upon a mysterious message that indicates their mother may have kidnapped them years ago. As they investigate, they discover another set of siblings who share their same birthdays and are exact copies of themselves. Together, they must unravel the truth about their past, uncover secrets, and face a dangerous conspiracy that could change their lives forever.

"THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE"

AUTHOR: Dan Gemeinhart

AGES: 9 - 12

SYNOPSIS: Twelve-year-old Coyote Sunrise and her dad, Rodeo, live an unconventional life traveling the country in an old school bus. When Coyote learns that a beloved park in her hometown is about to be destroyed, she devises a plan to return home without her father's knowledge. Along the way, Coyote and Rodeo pick up a diverse group of passengers, each with their own story. This heartwarming tale explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of human connection.

"AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS"

AUTHOR: B.B. Alston

AGES: 10 - 14

Avery, 17, is an avid reader and book reviewer. When not reading, you can find her playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, or with one of her pets! Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @readbyfin.

SYNOPSIS: Amari Peters, a young girl from a lowincome neighborhood, receives an unexpected invitation to join the prestigious Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. The invitation leads her to a hidden world of magic and supernatural creatures, where she discovers that her missing brother was an agent working for the bureau. Determined to find him, Amari must navigate this new world, develop her own magical abilities, and face the Night Brothers, a powerful and dangerous duo. Along the way, she learns about friendship, courage, and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when faced with extraordinary challenges.