My whole heart is just full up from this soft, thoughtful gem. I wish this book had been around when I was in middle school, but I'm so grateful that at least it exists now!

I LOVED this book. A middle school theater book that is actually about middle schoolers who seem realistic! Dealing with a crush is hard enough, but when it's not heteronormative it's even more confusing. This book was great, and I will be recommending it to all of our theater kids. :)

Star-Crossed is a sweet coming-out story and a promising, chaste romance for middle grade readers that intertwines with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Mattie annoys her friends because she is constantly thinking and unsure of her actions. She finds herself having a crush on Elijah who shares her passion for reading, but that slowly disappears after a disastrous Halloween party. Soon she is inexplicably drawn to Gemma, a new student who seems perfect in every way. As the eighth grade play, Rome and Juliet, goes underway Mattie learns more about herself and Gemma. Mattie discovers that she really like her. Is it possible to like both boys and girls?
The incorporation of Romeo and Juliet works really well in the book. Each chapter begins with a snippet from the play and it was really fun trying to see how that line fits into the context of our story. I also appreciated how the students tried to understand what Shakespeare meant and discuss some of the issues of the play (i.e. fickleness of love, impulsive behavior, secrets, etc). Those same issues were also mirrored in Mattie's life too. At times there was a bit too much Shakespeare with large chunks of the dialogue put into the story, which might deter some young readers from picking up this book. Though ultimately the Shakespeare play is a tragedy, Star-Crossed is far from one. Mattie has a supportive family, caring friends, a teacher who understands her, and a diverse cast of classmates that may be more tolerant of her sexuality. Though romance doesn't actually bloom between Mattie and Gemma, it is possible in the book's open ending.

Review: I really, really, really enjoyed this book. First, it made me like Shakespeare more than I did before. Second, I think that it dealt with sexual identity in a gentle and realistic manner.

I must admit that Shakespeare is a fear of mine because I just never have felt like I got him the way I should as an English Lit major and English teacher; however, it is what it is. When I see Shakespeare plays, I am always transported into the story and understand what all the hoopla is about, but reading it cold, I just never get it. I worried that a story about a middle school putting on Romeo and Juliet would let the Shakespeare bog it down, but it did the opposite–it helped this story be what it is. The reader learns to love Shakespeare as Mattie learns to love him. And since we are in class and at rehearsals with Mattie, we also get to be part of some of the lessons about the play thus helping the reader understand the text as well as Mattie is supposed to. It was brilliantly intertwined.

Mattie’s feelings toward Gemma are obvious to the reader before Mattie even realizes what they are, but that felt truly realistic to me because if you are someone who has already crushed on boys, feeling the same way towards a girl could be confusing, but Dee never makes it seem like what Mattie seems is anything but natural which is beautiful to see in a middle grade novel.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In addition to being in classroom, school, and public libraries, sections of the story could definitely be used in conjunction to a reading of Romeo and Juliet. Some of the discussions of the play, both during Mattie’s English class and during play rehearsals, would be great jumping off points for similar discussions in the classroom.

Discussion Questions: What clues did Dee include that Mattie’s feelings for Gemma were deeper than she first realized?; If your class was putting on Romeo and Juliet, who do you think would be best to play each character? Explain.; What allusions to Romeo and Juliet did Dee include within the text?; Have you ever read a text that affected you the way Romeo and Juliet effected Mattie?

With finesse, this book tackles a difficult topic while sticking to a realistic middle grader's life.

Mattie is a good student, loves books and has two very good friends. She also has a crush on a guy, which seems out of her reach. When she tries to figure out whether this guy is worth her time, she runs into Gemma and soon finds herself maybe crushing on her. . .maybe. When a theater production has her playing Romeo and Juliet with Gemma, things even get more complicated.

The one thing which impresses right away with this book is the fantastic middle grade voice. The girls are eighth graders (bordering between middle grade and YA), but they hold true to the eighth grade voice through and through. The concerns, thoughts and actions fit perfectly to the age group, and the characters could be friends in any kid's class. Drama ranks high as Mattie fights against peer pressure and deals with the opinions of those around her. Luckily, she has a good set of friends, who hold to her and treat her with gentle understanding.

There's a lot of fun in these pages, and it mixes masterfully into the more serious topic. The read is light and engaging without ever weighing down. Although Gemma struggles to figure out her emotions and feelings for both a guy and a girl, the author never presses this theme too hard. It comes across as a natural predicament kids of this age group might face and doesn't go into what happens beyond. Mattie's feelings could be those of pure friendship or they might develop into something more. This innocence speaks volumes.

Much of the story rotates around Romeo and Juliet, and while this offers a lovely background to the plot, there were times that it went a bit to deep. Many middle graders are not that familiar with Shakespeare and some parts of this story might fly by readers of the intended age group.

Summed up, this is a lovely read for girls ages nine to thirteen which takes a modern day topic and handles it in a very, age appropriate manner.

Mattie is a middle school student who loves reading. No wonder she is just a great student. She loves to hang out with her best friends Lucy and Tessa, who know she has a crush on Elijah. At a friends party, she meets a girl who is from the UK and new to her school: Gemma Braithwaite. The next week in English class, Mr. Torres announces the school play for that year: Romeo and Juliet.

Mattie has a major part, and Liam is cast as Romeo, while Gemma will be playing Juliet. Mattie gets to know Gemma better during rehearsal, and more and more, she starts to like her, and soon enough, she finds out that...she has a crush on Gemma. But why? She never liked girls this way and she has a crush on Elijah. What does this mean, that she is gay? Or can she has a crush on a boy and a girl at the same time> And does Gemma feels the same way too?

In the middle in the rehearsal process, Liam breaks his leg and there has to be found an alternate for the lead role of Romeo. Mr. Torres advices Mattie, as there seems to be no one else suitable for the part of Romeo, to consider to play Romeo. But uh,oh..then she has to kiss Gemma! What if everyone notices she likes her more then just friends and will think she is weird?
Slowly, she starts to reveal to her big sister and her friends about her feelings, and who knew that they would be nothing more then supportive to Mattie? Now she can only do one thing, finding out if Gemma feels the same, and just make it a good performance of Romeo and Juliet!

It was quite refreshing to read such a different middle grade novel by one of the best middle grade authors, Barbara Dee. I really liked that the author chose for not the usual girl-boy romance but choose to let a girl fall in love with another girl. I don't think that there are many middle grade novels out that just show how normal this actually is. She learns that she is not weird at all and that she has quite an awesome group of friends who are very supportive. It is very well written, I really liked Mattie. She dealt with her new feelings and situation very well, and in the end everything wrapped up so nicely! Really liked that!
A very good middle grade novel that deals with a serious topic in a very light way! Reallly enjoyed reading it and I can't wait for Barbara Dee's next book! (less)

Eighth-grader Mattie is struggling through the school year. Unlike her friends, Tessa and Lucy, she is not invited to Willow’s party. In an act of rebellion, Mattie disguises herself as Darth Vader and decides to attend anyway. Even though the night ends in disaster, Mattie begins to realize that she enjoyed her time with a girl, Gemma, more so than if she was with a boy. Mattie begins to spend more time with Gemma as they are cast together in the school’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Although Mattie initially tries out for the part of Paris, she eventually finds herself as Romeo with Gemma as Juliet. The play as well as the upcoming Valentine’s Day dance forces Mattie to reconcile the unease she feels about her sexuality and decide whether or not to come out to her friends and Gemma.

With heartfelt, realistic characters, Star-Crossed is a well-written and engaging romance for fourth to eighth grade readers. Even though the characters are thirteen and fourteen, the vocabulary and LGBT and friendship themes are designed for upper elementary school-aged students into the middle grades, not quite yet transgressing into the young adult arena. With a complete cast of tween characters--Willow as your typical mean girl, popular boys who are trying so hard to be jocks, emphatically, frazzled teachers, and caring yet angsty family members—Star-Crossed poignantly and accurately depicts solid relationships worthy of LGBT realistic fiction. Mattie is just a girl with a sweet crush, and she is portrayed as an intelligent, strong (although confused) lead. Fall in love with Mattie who dresses as literary characters for Halloween, Tessa who uses hilarious Shakespearean insults when she is mad, and Mr. Torres, a charming English teacher who refers to his students as “humans.” Dee takes on gender roles, love, friendship, and family in this cozy read.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing/Aladdin for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a cute middle-grade novel about a middle school student, Mattie, who realizes that she’s forming a crush on the new British student, Gemma, as they begin to work on the school production of Romeo and Juliet. Filled with some of the middle school drama of crushes, dances, and cliques, this story came across as very sweet and realistic.

The following will be posted on my blog, The Crown of Books, on March 4, 2017 around noon time EST:

I remember when I came across a post about this very book on Tumblr. Normally, I kept scrolling, but something caught my attention. It was the fact there was two girls on the cover dancing looking like Romeo & Juliet. I am not a major Shakespeare fan, but I definitely noticed it and read the post. The post was written by a daughter who came out to her mother, and her mother ended up writing a book, this book, in return. I was impressed as this was like the ultimate support someone could get. I reblogged the post immediately along with hundreds of others to get the word out. Next thing I knew, I found and was approved of the book on NetGalley. I couldn't wait to read about this amazing book I've heard.

Amazing is like the perfect word. Beyond amazing. As I read the story, I couldn't feel anything but happiness. Of course the main character faced challenges, but everything good that happened just resulted in happiness.

When Mattie first met Gemma and she started questioning what was happening to her and why as this happening to her. She tried figuring it out herself and dealing with herself, but she found that the only way she figure this out is through support of others. She talked to her friends and family, and support was all she got. This is how it should have gone, and I was glad to find it.

You also see Mattie deal with the everyday school life among students, frenemies, crushes, and ultimately, secrets. It was just a perfect book, and I just can't say anything wrong with it. Just perfect.

This book is definitely one for all ages, and for all kinds of love. Share it, recommend it, and love it. This book needs to be out there.

ADORABLE. I loved this from the start! Mattie is a wonderful lead and I thought the voice was pitch perfect. It felt appropriately middle grade without feeling young. It's a liiittle heavy on the Shakespeare and feels rushed at the end, but those are my only complaints. Star-Crossed is seriously adorable and fun and I liked the depiction of 8th grade and their R&J play, and Gemma! Mattie doesn't use labels in this book but it's clear that she's figuring herself out and it warmed my heart, watching her begin to trust herself and her friends/family. I loved her relationship with her siblings. I'll be interested to see what other reviewers think of the rep but I thought it was lovely. A quick read worth your time with a seriously cute cover!

Review will be posted on my blog at a later date, I will update with a link when it is live.

Mattie is in middle school, and her friends Lucy and Tessa know that she's had a crush on Elijah forever. The friends like to hang out, and try to stay on the good side of popular Willow, who can be very mean. When the school play is Romeo and Juliet, Mattie is thrilled that she gets a major part, and is okay with the fact that Mr. Torres, the director, wants her to work with Liam, the actor who has been cast as Romeo. New girl Gemma has been cast as Juliet, and Mattie thinks she is perfect. When Liam breaks his arm, Mr. Torres suggests that Mattie take over the role of Romeo. She's glad to have the acting experience, but worried because she has a huge crush on Gemma, and doesn't want anyone to know. Her sister and her friends are all supportive, and Gemma doesn't seem to mind, either. The play is a success, and Mattie learns to be true to herself and to not let her life be run by jerks.
Strengths: This was a great book to see. We have moved beyond a need to have the whole story be about emerging sexuality-- we just need to see characters of different kinds going about their lives. I loved that Mattie's sister and friends were very supportive, and also that the thought was brought up that having a crush on Gemma meant just that Mattie had a crush on Gemma. It might mean more later, but for 8th grade, it might just mean that she really like Gemma. For my students who still ask why "we have books like this", (used to describe a character in Rick Riordan, of all things!), this is a great mainstream title to introduce them to the fact that we have books like this because we need to be inclusive rather than judgmental.
Weaknesses: There was a LOT of Shakespeare in this. A LOT. I'm not a fan, and I don't know many middle school readers who are.
What I really think: I'll buy it despite the Shakespeare because it's a book I need to have.

Thank you for this book. Unfortunately, since it is not in kindle format, I am unable to read it.