The Forest of Stars

July 1, 2020

Gr 4-7-After her mother's slow death by the grief-hungry "love bugs" chewing away at her heart, 12-year-old Louisa sleeps alone every night, floating just above her mother's grave. Born with the power to walk on air like her long-lost father, Louisa hides her magic and fears being blown away by the wind into the forest of stars above. But when she finds an invitation to the mysterious Carnival Beneath the Stars, she finds herself on a path to understanding her "mystique." She is surrounded by new friends with other magical powers, from commanding shadows to telekinesis. Louisa may even find answers about her father, if she can unravel the complex secrets of the carnival and its members. Kassner's poetic descriptions and endlessly inventive world-building drive this fairy tale of self-discovery. Although the plot development is certainly secondary to character-building and atmosphere, the lovable cast, centered around thoughtful and determined Louisa, pulls readers through the simple mystery plot to its emotionally satisfying conclusion. VERDICT Fans of Kelly Barnhill and Neil Gaiman will love Kassner's sometimes sinister, always magical carnival in this evocative fantasy about finding your place in the world.-Molly Saunders, Manatee County P.L., Bradenton, FL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 6, 2020
Hungry, homeless, and having lost her mother to the love bugs that devoured her grieving heart, Louisa LaRoche, 12, is intent on locating her father, who “lost his grasp on the world” and floated out a window before she was born. Finding a golden ticket to the Carnival Beneath the Stars, Louisa meets a crew of magical beings, including “Boy Beast” Strong the Ox, “Shadow Spinner” Mercy, and “Misfortune Teller” Fiona. Summoned as a mystique for her ability to levitate, the girl finds home and family in the carnival until bewitched shadows threaten, turning Louisa and her friends against one another. When one of the performers stands accused of stealing the troupe’s magic, Louisa navigates red herrings to discover who is behind the shadows. Kassner (The Bone Garden) creates an enchanted, lyrical tale with atmospheric scenes among Louisa, her friends, and guardian Quiet Si, half man, half marionette; Ptica’s black-and-white illustrations infuse the novel with the carnival’s eerie warmth. Though an abundance of poetic description can slow the narrative, Kassner’s theme, that family is where you find it, shines poignantly. Ages 8–12. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media.

Starred review from June 1, 2020
A homeless girl's arrival at a carnival triggers a series of suspicious mishaps. Since her father "lost his grasp on the world" just before she was born and floated away out the window, 12-year-old Louisa has been protected by her ailing, heartbroken mother. Like her missing father, Louisa's "made of hollow bones and too much air," causing her to float "like there were marshmallows under her soles." Louisa worries people will discover she's different and fears the wind will sweep her away. Alone and bereft following her mother's death, Louisa flees to the Carnival Beneath the Stars, where being different is an asset. Quickly adopted by other runaway kids with magical talents who invite her to join them, Louisa reluctantly agrees to develop her own soaring act, hoping to attract her missing father. When a fierce storm and injuries plague the carnival, Louisa and her new friends realize someone's stealing the performers' magic and set out to trap the culprit, with perilous consequences. Cast in lush, sensory language with recurring images of love bugs that feed on grief, dark shadows that obscure, and evil threads that bind, and populated by wildly imaginative characters, Louisa's tale of loss and discovery proves irresistible. Black-and-white line drawings capture key scenes and depict Louisa as white. Set in an unusual carnival, this original fantasy is a darkly engaging one. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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