“The summer before I turned ten was idyllic–until August 3, 1970. It perfectly describes a time when I thought the world was safe and good things lasted forever…” Christy Award Winner! Nine-year-old Abby McAndrews has just experienced her greatest loss, and in its wake, her family is unraveling with guilt, grief, and anger. Her father, Reverend McAndrews, cannot return to the pulpit … McAndrews, cannot return to the pulpit because he has more questions than answers. Her older brother Matt’s actions speak louder than the words he needs to confess, as he acts out in dangerous ways. Her mother tries to hold her grieving family together, but when Abby’s dad refuses to move on, the family is at a crossroads.
Stars in the Grass, set in a small Midwestern town in 1970, is an uplifting novel that explores a family’s relationships and resiliency. Abby’s heartbreaking remembrances are balanced by humor and nostalgia as her family struggles with–and ultimately celebrates–life after loss.
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I don’t think I can even put this book into words. It made me cry multiple times, but was so worth it . Definitely recommend!
A very sad but inspiring story about a family who loses one of its members because of a tragic accident. They go through personal and family turmoil. Its heart wrenching but truly inspirational. A really great read.
Beautifully written. Draws you in to the lives, thoughts, and feelings of the characters in a realistic manner. Leaves you thinking about it long after the final page is turned.
A keeper to read and reread.
What happens when a minister loses his faith and cannot move on with his life. His wife tries to keep the family together and move on, but He does not know how. This shows what depression can do to an individual and a family, and how one can learn to face the future again. This is set in a small mid-western town in the 1970s.
Sad but shows how kids can react to adversity in the family.
Sad
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!
I thought this was going to be a quick light inspirational romance book when I picked it up, but it was pretty close to the opposite of that long deep and with very little romantic relationship involvement! I would never have started it if I had any idea what it was. It was supremely well written and amazing but I was so emotionally wrung out by the end that I basically couldn’t do anything for 12 hours. This is a very detailed and realistic look at the life of a pastor and his family of 5 that becomes a family of 4 when the 3 year old is killed in a car accident. It was pretty brutal emotionally. The situation wasn’t easy and the author did not take the easy way out. It truly was an EXCELLENT book but I’m still kinda wrung out a few days later.
Beautiful story of family, heartache and victory told from perspective of a young girl.
I cried so many times reading this book but I still highly recommend it. It shows a family’s journey through grief and how each family member deals with it in his own way. A heart warming story.
The ripple effect of a tragedy and how each family member was affected. Very interesting read.
Wow, just Wow! This is a powerful book that tore into my heart. I cried throughout it as it brought to life painful memories and questions about God that I had fought through after the death of my daughter. Whether you have lost someone you love or not, it is a gripping story that makes the reader ask penetrating questions. Everyone should read it.
Although this was a pretty good story I found it depressing. It was too much sorrow. I know it was realistic, unfortunately it’s what happens too often, but I found myself anxious to get through it and on to something more cheerful
This book is very sad but realistic in how the members of the family were reacting to the loss.
Heartbreaking, what a death in a family can do to relationships. Ending was comforting. What we perceive it not always, fact. I will read it again next year. This story brought back memories of a death within my own family, when brother 22 months old, killed by a train, and how it affected our family.
This book was a great read!!!
There should be another descriptive word to use when rating this book. None offered seem to apply. While a work of fiction, this book’s story line it true to life both through the characters as well as the various scenes/events. I recommend this book to anyone struggling with loss (not the reason I picked it up, but I am glad I read it). The author captures the depth of grief and how far it can take even the best of us. There is also a lifeline of hope for those who are hooked within grief’s tight grip. There are a few characters I wish had been further developed because I believe they would have added even more depth, but nonetheless, the story line is handled very true to life.
Very inspirational and realistic. The story of a family facing tragedy, told by a nine year old girl.
It was a wonderful read about tragedy and redemption.