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ehuffman's review against another edition
5.0
I was completely charmed by this book. I picked it up to prepare for my upcoming stint at VCFA, where Appelt is a faculty member in the Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program. It was close to my bedtime, and I meant to read only fifty pages before quitting, but then I told myself, "One more story..." and then I told myself, "Why not just finish the book?"
So yes. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a one sitting-able book to read, as it is just over 100 pages.
I've been out of middle school for over ten years, but this book brought me right back to those magical dances in the cafeteria, the possibilities, the nerves, the doubts, the booming music. The book is less about the actual Stardust Dance than it is about each of the characters' lives and how they relate to their being at the dance, but Appelt's characters are so lovable that I found myself thinking about them after I had turned out the lights and gone to bed, and wondering what the future would hold for each one of them.
Also, I wasn't prepared for the heavy subject matter Appelt tackled within the various stories. Domestic abuse, rape, questioning sexuality, death...it's all there, along with many lighter stories about middle school love.
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm raving. I just loved this book so much. Highly recommended, if you can't already tell.
So yes. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a one sitting-able book to read, as it is just over 100 pages.
I've been out of middle school for over ten years, but this book brought me right back to those magical dances in the cafeteria, the possibilities, the nerves, the doubts, the booming music. The book is less about the actual Stardust Dance than it is about each of the characters' lives and how they relate to their being at the dance, but Appelt's characters are so lovable that I found myself thinking about them after I had turned out the lights and gone to bed, and wondering what the future would hold for each one of them.
Also, I wasn't prepared for the heavy subject matter Appelt tackled within the various stories. Domestic abuse, rape, questioning sexuality, death...it's all there, along with many lighter stories about middle school love.
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm raving. I just loved this book so much. Highly recommended, if you can't already tell.
maidmarianlib's review
4.0
Sweet short stories with lots of emotional impact. Note some very mild content may not be suitable for all readers.
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