Rating: 
Summary: Don't judge a book by its cover
Review: Amazingly true to life of how some children feel who live in really tough family situations. The social worker in me likes to read to get away from the real life of work, but I love Paterson's work and the book was a Christmas gift (signed!!!) Once again, Paterson writes of difficult subjects and finds redemption. She is a glorious writer and makes us believe again and again that good can come out of pain.
Rating: 
Summary: Same Stuff as Stars
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Katherine Paterson's book Same Stuff as Stars because it is an excellent example of realistic fiction. The themes that are present in this book are common to many children in today's society. Imagine being motherless and fatherless and having to rely mainly on yourself for support. Angel is eleven years old in this story and is trying to take care of her younger brother. She is desperate for a real home, unlike her current situation of living with her poor-grandmother. A stranger who is able to explain the night skies is truly all she has to make a difference in her life. Will this stranger's wisdom be enough to eliminate her loneliness and overcome her tragic circumstances she faces each day?
Rating:
Summary: A very moving story
Review: I thought this story was a very powerful story about Angel and her little brother, Bernie who goes through hard times. It's touching and shows how some kids have to live. It showed me how hard Angel and Bernie had it, Their Dad in Jail and their mother who was negligent. Does have some bad language, but I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it...
Review: Patterson's story of Angel will grab you from page one. She is a survivor, as she deals with one flaky mom and a convicted father.
Then when she befriends the starman, you see her find even more self-confidence. I loved the star metaphor in this book, and the relationships of brother, Grandma, and Angel. I plan to share excerpts with my middle schoolers.
Rating:
Summary: Empathetic!
Review: The Same Stuff as Stars is a realistic story of a child, Angel, struggling to keep her family together and find love for her lonely heart. In this struggle, Angel faces some of the most difficult circumstances a child can face. Her father is in jail and has a failing relationship with his grandmother and Angel's mother. Angel has to be the parent for her younger, defiant brother (the book starts with him starting a fire in the living room). Her mother is abusive and selfish. Angel and her brother have been shuffled around, including in foster homes, and end up at their great-granmother's. Angel, despite these circumstances, is committed to keeping her family together and stays true to the people that give her love...and even her mother.
Newbery Medal winning author, Katherine Paterson, does a wonderful job of writing a simple story about such complex issues. The various family member characters and their struggles are developed, so the family background that lead to Angel's life is revealed for the reader. As Angel works through the hardships your feelings are with her, hoping for the best as she does. The issues presented in the book help the reader understand the complexities of families, and what is seen on the outside does not always clue us in to what may be happening in a person's life. Paterson works in unforeseen events in the book that make you feel for Angel but also curious as to what the outcome will be. The characters do not always make the best decisions with the events, but even still a lesson emerges from each incident. The main lesson taught is to reach out to others. The characters that reach out to Angel give her love, someone to depend on, and hope. They teach the reader to also reach out to others. Among the sadness of this child's life are glimses of hope and love. The book ends with a glimmer of hope, making it true to life. Angel is not sure of the future, which is how life is, but with hope and love from others, life is much easier to handle.
Rating:
Summary: The Same Stuff as Stars
Review: This is a story about two young kids who grow up together basically by themselves. Their mother still has plenty of emotional baggage since their father has been in jail basically the kids' entire life. The story captures you in its realism portrayed in our everyday world from the point of view of a young girl. She struggles to find hope in her world when everything conveniently goes wrong or everyone abandons her. A stranger she meets teaches her about the stars through a telescope and finds a glimpse of hope in her life. This is a remarkable story that is fun and entertaining for kids and adults.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Prose; Powerful Characters
Review: Without a doubt, my two favorite writers for young adults are Madeleine L'Engle and Katherine Paterson. Ms. Paterson has written a number of novels (Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, Lyddie, etc.) that are among the best I've every read. This novel may not reach the heights of some of her previous books but it is still a worthwhile read.I have probably shed more tears over Katherine Paterson novels than any other writer except, perhaps, Dickens. They both have an incredible ability to create realistic characters that you can really feel for as well as a deep perception for the effect that death and abandonment can have on people. As I began reading The Same Stuff As Stars I didn't think this novel would have the same effect but I must admit that it did. In the character of Angel, continually abandoned by everyone around her but still a strong girl, Paterson has done it again. It is her ability to create these realistic characters, however, that also turned me off to this book. I found the characters of Verna and, in particular, Bernie to be so unpleasant that the first half of this novel was nearly unreadable for me. Once these two characters disappear from the novel, I liked the book to be much better. But is it really fair to dislike a book because the characters are created too well? It's a personal assessment but a fair one, I think. But this book still has many things to recommend it, not the least of which is the astronomy motif which appeals to me very much as a math and physics teacher. Another personal assessment, perhaps, but it works both ways. Ultimately, this is a book that still rates better than just about anything out there. I would highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Prose; Powerful Characters
Review: Without a doubt, my two favorite writers for young adults are Madeleine L'Engle and Katherine Paterson. Ms. Paterson has written a number of novels (Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, Lyddie, etc.) that are among the best I've every read. This novel may not reach the heights of some of her previous books but it is still a worthwhile read. I have probably shed more tears over Katherine Paterson novels than any other writer except, perhaps, Dickens. They both have an incredible ability to create realistic characters that you can really feel for as well as a deep perception for the effect that death and abandonment can have on people. As I began reading The Same Stuff As Stars I didn't think this novel would have the same effect but I must admit that it did. In the character of Angel, continually abandoned by everyone around her but still a strong girl, Paterson has done it again. It is her ability to create these realistic characters, however, that also turned me off to this book. I found the characters of Verna and, in particular, Bernie to be so unpleasant that the first half of this novel was nearly unreadable for me. Once these two characters disappear from the novel, I liked the book to be much better. But is it really fair to dislike a book because the characters are created too well? It's a personal assessment but a fair one, I think. But this book still has many things to recommend it, not the least of which is the astronomy motif which appeals to me very much as a math and physics teacher. Another personal assessment, perhaps, but it works both ways. Ultimately, this is a book that still rates better than just about anything out there. I would highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Wow The Best Book I have ever read!
Review: WoW!It was another day in the classroom when my teacher called us on the rug. He bought a few books and wanted to read the beginings. One of these books was this one. the begining was wonderful!. Little did i know, i was about to go on an adventure, a big exiting one in the City and the country. He gave me the book to read. This book is the most passionate book i have ever read. I was in tears it was so good! I will now look for more Kathrine Paterson books on Amazon.com!Amazon.com is the best! ~Stephanie, age 11
Rating:
Summary: You'll Enjoy This One....
Review: You can't help but root for Angel as she navigates the adult world on her own, also acting as an 11 year old surrogate mother to her 7 year old brother, Bernie. You have to wonder what adult in her short life taught her how to be so responsible, as her mother is an alcoholic who keeps abandoning them, and their father is in prison. Still, Angel soldiers on in spite of finally being dumped on their great-grandmother who doesn't seem to move much from her rocker and survives on pork and beans. The three need each other and it was enjoyable to see them work out a living arrangement, including getting Angel and Bernie into school. It was also hauntingly mysterious when the "Star Man" began introducing Angel to the stars. We also love the librarian who offers books and love. But the story jangles when mom comes back and snatches Bernie out of school. And we can't quite believe mom is going to come back into the fold after she ends up in the hospital after being in a car crash. (Doubtful she won't light out again.)
This was a good read but not quite as brilliant as "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved". However, I can't quite shake how lovely Angel's introduction to astronomy was. I just found the ending a bit too pat.
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