there are many things that initially intrigued me about this book, being a historical fiction with commentary on family, racism and more in the 1930's. the story and characters felt underdeveloped, including the romance sub-plot which was too insta-lovey for me. the writing is good, i would read more of this author if they come out with some more concise and developed.

- thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

One of the wonderful things about great fiction is that it allows you to see the world through someone else’s eyes in a way that few other experiences can. Angela Jackson-Brown’s When Stars Rain Down is just such a book, and should be required reading for every American. But it’s not just a great book about race and the challenges faced by Black Americans both then and now, it’s a great coming-of-age story for anyone.

However, I’m going to talk mostly about the first part, about how When Stars Rain Down gave me new ideas, contexts, and imaginative reframings about being Black in the South. The lyrical ode to Colored Town was a perspective changer, as the protagonist, Opal Pruitt, doesn’t see it as exclusion but as a retreat from the demands of Jim Crow, even though the woman she works for, and her household, are “good” white people.

This is one of the questions Opal has to answer for herself: are there actually any whites who will choose right over white when the issue involves a Black person? The illustration of the well-meaning white girl trying to help but not listening is a lesson for anyone who hasn’t lived the life of the protagonists but thinks she knows best how to help.

I’m not sure there’s a single movie that captured for me the visceral sense of waiting for the Klan to strike like this lovely book. The oppressive environment, the strain of the impending raid, the deep internal struggles of how best to deal with the Klan, the fear of both what the Klan might do and how to limit repercussions of how the Black community responds to the Klan: all of these are given visceral reality.

The cameo appearance by Satchel Paige was a fun addition, giving a glimpse of how important these early barrier-busting athletes and were to their communities. Jackson-Brown’s use of concrete details makes him (and, indeed, all of the characters) breathe on the page.

Although the book echoes issues and attitudes still with us to this day, it is firmly situated in the period. When Stars Rain Down presents the world of Black Southerners living in the Jim Crow era unflinchingly, showing both the joy and pain of that life, offering no easy answers, but illustrating the reach of history.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book is probably important. It's well written. The story is well developed.

I had a hard time connecting to the characters, and yet I was devastated by the events that happened at the picnic. This was a hard read for me. I had to force myself to finish it. But that isn't because it wasn't well written or developed.

Thanks #netgallery for this read. This book was easy to catch my attention and keep my attention throughout. I enjoyed the different relationships within all the characters. Many books focus on only the main characters but this book also focuses on other relationships as well. Excellent read.

When the Stars Rain Down has all the elements I usually like in a historical fiction novel, but for some reason this one just didn't really click for me.

It follows 17 year old Opal back in the 1930's. She works with her grandmother at a white lady's house doing the cooking and cleaning. It goes through the racism she and her friends and family experienced during that time and also a bit of a budding love story as well.

I feel like it just never went far enough into the characters story to really work for me. It was very surface level and some storylines needed more to them.

3/5⭐️

When the Stars Rain Down is a story of love, courage, and hope in the face of terrible racism and violence. 17 year-old Opal and her grandmother work for a local white family as maids and kitchen help, and their relationship with the family has always been a kind and friendly one, despite the prejudice and racial tensions of their small Southern town in the 1930s. She is experiencing her first courtship, as well as budding feelings for the white college-educated son of her employer. When a traumatic incident occurs, Opal wants to stay silent and unknown. However, as white supremacy rears its ugly head and the white and Black citizens of the town are pitted against one another, Opal must make a hard decision that will affect not only her life, but the lives of other young Black teenagers in her town. This book was quite sad but also very moving, and exquisitely depicted the lives of the townspeople.

When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown is a gripping and moving look into life in 1930's America. This book will leave you all in the feels. Centered around a young girl named Opal, the story takes you to what life was like for her and her family in Colored Town, outside of Parsons, Georgia. When the Klan rides through her neighborhood, nothing will ever be the same again.
Opal enjoys working with her Granny and keeping house for Miss Peggy and her family. She has been going their for as long as she can remember, playing with their boy, Jimmy Earl. Now she cleans for them and helps cook. Her feelings for Jimmy Earl as they get older are confusing for her, though. And, there is Cedric Perkins, the son of her pastor. He wants her to be his girl. He sets out to court her and win over her granny too. Opal is confused by her feelings for both boys, but wants what is best for her and her family too.
But, when a terrible event happens, she will have to make a choice. And that choice can have far-reaching consequences.
A look into what life was like and the problems that Colored families faced during this terrible time in America's history, it also points us towards what is still wrong in our country. Life is not based on skin color, but so often that is what people see. What would our world look like if we all looked and loved like Jesus does?
A great book. I loved the people. I would love to read more about the families in it as well!
thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it. All opinions are my own.

When Stars Rain Down
By Angela Jackson-Brown

It's 1936, and in Parsons, Georgia, the tension and anger are as hot if not hotter than the temperatures. And no relief is in sight. The Klan is determined to keep the residents of Colored Town in their place and Opal Pruitt is caught in the middle of everything. Soon to turn 18, Opal's life is in a state of flux with everything that is going on around her and her own conflicted feelings.

This is an emotionally moving and heartbreaking story. Everything that takes place during this summer will literally move one to tears. It is an excellent work though difficult at times as Opal deals with what life is currently giving her.

Hated and demeaned for the color of her skin, Opal's life though difficult is not awful. She has family and friends who love, respect and care for her. But on the cusp of adulthood, her world starts crashing in around her. Seeing the world through her eyes isn't easy but I would highly recommend this book to adult and older teen readers. This book is both beautiful and ugly at the same time much like the fallen and broken world that we live in.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Great story about a family living in the pre-Civil Rights south. This story has a lot of heart and the characters are very well defined. The story goes along in a good pace. Will recommend for purchase at my library.

A masterpiece by Angela Jackson-Brown. A coming of age story. Raw. Emotional. Heartwarming. Heartbreaking. Filled w/ faith and hope. Five stars.

ARC from netgalley!

I was not expecting this book to be so religion heavy and it was a bit much at times.

I enjoyed the story though there were some elements that didn't sit right but this could be because we live in different times now e.g. Opal & Cedric fall in love after hanging out a couple of times.

Some of the characters/stories didn't seem as developed as they could have been e.g. Jimmy Earl (the "romance" with Opal) & Ms Lovenia (it was a shame Opal just stopped going to see her.

All in all it had an interesting historical setting and seemed a fairly accurate representation of life in the South in the 1930s.

So moving, deep, and important. If you are ready to go on a emotional rollercoaster with this book, get ready to feel the saddness, the romance, the inspiration. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book for an honest review.

When Stars Rain Down is not an easy book to read by any means... taking on the very difficult topic of racism in Georgia 1936. Unfortunately, we all know all too well that this is a topic that is all too relevant still today. So, while, sure, I might have preferred to pick up a lighter topic to read... it was an important one to pick up nonetheless... and one that was absolutely done beautifully. The author did a great job of portraying life in that place and time and really drew me as a reader into the story. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and felt they were wonderfully written and drew me in. It was an emotional story and one that I think will certainly stick with the reader long after the last page. Overall, a good read and one that fans of historical fiction are sure to want to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed this coming of age story set in the depression era south. It was a refreshing and honest story about race and day to day life in the Atlanta area in the 1930s. I loved the family dynamics and the main character. The romance was sweet and heartbreaking, too. There is a lot of pain and sadness in this book, but there is also faith and hope. Everything points to faith in Christ, and the hope we have in him. I can't wait to read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of review from Netgalley and the publisher.

i listened to this on audio which always alters my experience with a book.

it’s a great premise, but i wish it had gone deeper. maybe would have been better as YA. coming of age story centered on the main character’s growth during the late 30’s, a time ripe with segregation, the kkk, and american racism raging.

Angela Jackson-Brown's WHEN STARS RAIN DOWN is quintessential Southern historical fiction. The protagonist, Opal Pruitt, is a young woman living in Parsons, Georgia during the summer of 1936. The town is still feeling the effects of the Reconstruction and the Great Depression. Black and white citizens live in uneasy harmony but must navigate the thin line of racial tension due to recent Ku Klux Klan activity. After a terrible act of violence everyone is shaken but they continue with plans for the annual Founder’s Day celebration, an event the entire community looks forward to each year. Opal is placed in the center of the firestorm and has to make decisions that will be life changing for herself as well as her beloved community.
This novel took my breath away more than once. Angela's writing is divine and I found myself feeling every emotion from the first sentence until the last. I was so taken by her style that I immediately purchased her debut novel, DRINKING FROM A BITTER CUP, and read it in one sitting.

This book was well written. The characters were fleshed out well, though there were a lot of characters, so it was sometimes to keep track of them. Opal and Granny were the primary characters. Granny has a strong faith and, while religion plays a strong part in the book, it’s not “in your face” and preachy. It just is who Granny is. This is an emotional read that will elicit strong feelings in the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Not knowing this author, I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I was immediately drawn into the story. Growing up near the area where this book was set led me to choose to read this story, which focuses on race relations in Georgia in the 1930s. The author does an amazing job bringing the story to life and showing the racism that existed in the south during this time. As Opal, the protagonist, told the story, my heart broke for the racist attitudes and actions toward people of color during this time. This story is a raw look at racism that sadly still exists today. The story brought me to tears, and as a white woman, made me want to ask forgiveness for the actions of my race both then and now. I highly recommend all people of all races read this book and learn from its truths.

This was a powerful book about racial tensions in a small town in Georgia during the late 1930s. Opal is our main character. She is a young, black 18 year old woman. She enjoys the work she does as a housekeeper for Ms. Peggy. The Klu Klux Klan comes sweeping through the town one night and causes issue. When Opal is later attacked one night, tensions in the town are high. Opal finds herself caught between her friendship between her white employers son, Jimmy Earl and her romantic interest in Cedric. Cedric is eager to protect Opal, but Opal just wants to find a peaceful way to exist.
This was a story filled with faith, hope and perseverance. I definitely recommend this! I received a complimentary e-book from Netgally.com in exchange for a review.

I’m going to rent this book from my library and give a review of this book. Thanks for approving me!

Love this cover! This story takes place in 1930s Georgia, where racism ran rampant. I liked the authors justification for using the derogatory language in this book.