Having enjoyed Gillian McDunn’s The Queen Bee and Me, I was happy to check out her latest book, These Unlucky Stars. As enjoyable as expected, McDunn’s latest is a great read that both entertains and teaches valuable lessons. Main character Annie P. Logan is convinced she is unlucky and after reading this story, one can’t argue that she certainly experiences more than her share of hapless incidents. Fortunately, one of the incidents introduces her to a few lifelong friends who change her life for the better. A lot of growth and change occurs for Annie over the course of the story. In addition to creating an excellent plot, McDunn’s sensory language, especially the visual details, make the story pop from the pages. If you’re looking for a sweet story with a few laughs and lessons, give These Unlucky Stars a read.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Several (14) brief incidents including character could get hurt; reference to when character will die; reference to child bleeding from accidental cut; reference to child getting bit by dog; second-hand report of dad breaking leg; reference to child dying from a heart problem; character punching the wall; character falling and breaking arm; character’s mother having cancer; character accidentally leaving stove on too long and could have burned the house down; character falling and unconscious.

Sex/Nudity:  Few (8) brief incidents including young girls talking about boys they like; adult characters falling in love; adults dancing; teen hoping to dance with another teen; adults hugging; homosexual couple.

Mature Subject Matter:

Parent leaving family; homosexuality; mental illness; cancer; divorce.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character referencing her father being a drunk.