The Life History of a Star

Rating:
Summary: Lindsey's Review "Life History of a Star"
Review: The Life History of a Star by Kelly Easton is an interesting perspective of the Vietnam War. The novel does not follow the life of a solider in combat, but of a soldier's sister back home. The book is the diary of Kristen Folger. She is a 14 year old girl growing up during the 1970s trying to survive her first year of high school. However unlike most teenage girls, she has a "ghost" lurking in the attic of her house. Clues throughout the story show that the "ghost" isn't actually a ghost but Kristen's older brother, David. David was drafted into the Vietnam War after his high school career. He was the town's hero and excelled in everything he did. However, when he returned from the war because of injuries he was never the same. This novel shows how one family was torn apart because of the horrible aftermath of the war.
People study history and often wonder do we shape the times or do the times shape us? Kristen Folger and her family's lives were altered because of the Vietnam War. If the Vietnam War would have not occurred her brother would not have been drafted into the war, he would have never been physically or mentally harmed and could still be the hero of the town. Because of her brother's, "the ghost's", mental and physical state her family experiences many hardships. Kristen's other brother, Bobby, wishes it could have been him taken to war instead of David which causes Bobby to seem upset most of the time. Also, because of the stress caused by trying to take care of David her parents divorce. Finally, Kristen isn't fully able to enjoy her high school years because she is always dwelling on what happened to David. This novel proves the times shape us.



Rating:
Summary: Get a feel for the '60s.
Review: Stars are very volatile objects floating in outer space; they form spontaneously, when conditions are right, and disappear without notice. Kristin Folger is a star of her own, forming her identity, developing in the '60s. One might think that growing up in the '60s was easy, but let's get real --- being a teen is hard in any decade. So here she is, turning 15, self conscious --- and I'm reading her diary. Kristin is cool, smart, and she has some very interesting views on life.

The Folger family is made up of five people --- one of whom is a "ghost." There's Kristin, her older brother Bobby, and her mother and father. That makes four. David, Kristin's oldest brother, dwells in the attic. Left traumatized by the Vietnam War, both Kristin and Bobby long for the day when David will come back. While Kristin is dealing with this, she also has to try and fight off Simon, her way cool friend, who, after hitting puberty, is now hitting on her. And along with the typical traumas befalling the female teen, Kristin must also deal with Carol, her quasi best friend, who is getting married in high school. Who knows what will happen to this star...

Kelly Easton writes seamlessly as she describes this whirlwind of experiences. If you read THE LIFE HISTORY OF A STAR, you will definitely get a feel for the '60s. Through the eyes of Kristin, the book's heroine, readers get an intimate portrait of what life was like for a normal suburban teen. (Although normal doesn't describe her accurately; anyone who reads this book will be able to identify with her.) And sometimes we need to read about somebody else's life --- to take our minds of our own.

--- Reviewed by Lisa Marx




Rating:
Summary: funny, slow
Review: The Life History of a Star by. Kelly Easton was a diary of a 14 year old girl from the 70's named Kristin Folger. Just like any teenage girl she was growing up and going through body change. Kristin is a girl with a dry cynical humor which gets old after awhile. This somewhat genius of a girl wrote this dairy expressing how she copes with her friend dating someone she dislikes, her and her parents always arguing, her grandma telling her about her sex life, and 'the ghost' in the attic who we later discover to be her brother David. Kristin calls him 'the ghost' because after returning from the Vietnam War he was different, never the same. When the family got the announcement that there parents were getting separated, David died, and Kristin was able to express herself in her diary and put us in the moment. I think that Kelly Easton's intentions for writing this book were to show kids that even if you are going through a lot if you talk about it or write it in a diary, and make the best out of it you will get through it a lot quicker. If I were to rate this book from 1-10, I would probably rate it a 7. This is because the book is funny at some parts and at the same time it taught you a lot about how to deal with growing up and going through hard times. Also it was kind of slow in telling you about the history of 'the ghost' and her cynical humor got old after awhile.

Rating:
Summary: The Life History of A Star
Review: The story is about a girl named Kristin and she has a journal, In the journal she writes everything she does and feels about things,But when her brother David dies, what will she write about.

What i liked about the book was that Kristin expresses herself and how people such as her mom treats her in the book.Also I liked the book because she talks about how it is with out her brother David, I also liked this book because of of how Kristin is with her friends.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read other peoples thoughts and feelings. Also to someone who likes to read jounals or diaries.

Rating:
Summary: The Life History Of A Star
Review: Welcome to Life History Of A Star by Kelly Easton.This book is about a teenager girl named Kristin Folger who's about 14 years old who lives in Glendora,California.Kristin Folger's english teacher gave her a journal to keep track of her thoughts through out the year.

What I liked about this book was that it was really realistic.Ialso liked the friendship that Kristin and Carol had.Any teacher can relate to the story, Especially me.

I recommend this book to any girls that have problems with friends or with family,Also if they are going through a lot of difficult situations.