I was really excited for this book because Ojibwe historical fiction? Inspired by author’s own family history? Here for that! But unfortunately I am way too Jewish for this much Christian propaganda. Very much not a book for me.

Full disclosure: I wrote this book, hence the five stars :) I really hope that readers enjoy this story as much as I do.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

What an incredible story about a little-discussed culture and period in history. Also adored the vague Anne-of-Green-Gables vibes.

Usually I'm skeptical when publishers describe the book like other works, but here... this really felt like a long lost-friend of Anne. Norvia is a strong and intelligent girl and she raised my enthusiasm throughout the story. I was excited to find out more about her. I'm not American and I don't know any Native Americans, but I felt like Novira was my friend and I could resonate with her concerns. This is a bright coming of age story which happens in tumultous times and yet I felt joy seeing Novira grow up.

DNF @10%

In the last year or so I have been really struggling with historical fiction and I believe this one has fallen victim to that issue. Also I am well above the age of the intended audience which did not help my motivation . I will circle back to this one in the future when I am not so burnt out on historical fiction

Norvia is proud of her Ojibwe heritage, but when her family moves as her mother is getting remarried, she’s encouraged to hide her heritage from everyone. Her step-father and step-brother included. That is hard, but Norvia as well as her siblings are determined to make it a great year. Though, she realizes it’s a lot harder than she thought as she realizes how hard it is to hide who she is.

The Star That Always Stays really has the vibes of Anne of Green Gables. The synopsis isn’t lying about that. It really has those comforting vibes of younger kids still trying to remain children, and grow up at the same time, while the world around them is giving them all sorts of problems.

Norvia was such a wonderful heroine for the story. She was doing her best to navigate her thoughts and the changes that were happening in her life.

There was a lot of religion in here, which I did try to ignore due to the time period this take place in, but some of the lines about it just made me highly uncomfortable which I fully understand is a me problem, but it was there.

Overall, I think that this is a cute read. Fans of Anne of Green Gables could really enjoy this. The heroine is enjoyable as well as the side characters and the themes are good ones to learn. I think a number of people could enjoy it if they don’t mind religion in their stories.

I enjoyed this one. I'm always looking for indigenous stories. For middle grade and teen readers. Because there weren't many of those when I was a middlegrade and teen reader and I think those readers can benefit from those books. Indigenous kids deserve to see themselves on the page. Written by authors like them. And other readers can learn about other cultures from the people those cultures belong to.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc of this story, in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 stars
Una historia muy tierna, un tributo a los clásicos con mujeres jóvenes como protagonistas (Ana de las tejas verdes, Mujercitas, Pollyanna).

Norvia es una niña de 14 años que enfrenta una compleja situación familiar. Sus padres se han divorciado, su madre le pide que esconda sus raíces Indias Ojibwe, se mudan de la isla donde vivían, y su madre se vuelve a casa, por lo que ahora debe aprender a vivir en una nueva casa con una nueva familia (padrastro y hermanastros). Con muchos sentimientos encontrados y nuevos horizontes recién descubiertos, Norvia comienza su nueva vida, consigue ir a la escuela, hacer amigos, aprender a controlar su ego, descubre sus nuevos sueños y los persigue.

Esta pequeña lee los clásicos y queda convencida de que ella quiere ser la heroína de su propia historia, lo que pese a ser entretenido de leer, le trae un par de problemas, puesto que Norvia asocia la popularidad a las heroínas, y también asume que debe tener un príncipe para ser feliz y "ser alguien" importante. Lean su historia si quieren conocerla, conocer a su familia, sus amigos y sus aventuras.

Algo que me sorprendió mientras leía esta historia fue la importante carga espiritual y emocional que tiene, creo que en cierta forma logra el objetivo de contextualizar la época en la que se centra la historia (1914) y además consigue otra similitud con los clásicos ya antes mencionados.

Otro dato importante y que yo desconocí hasta que leí los agradecimientos finales, es que esta historia, salvando ciertos detalles y diálogos inventados por la autora, está basada en una historia real. De la cual tuvo que hacer una extensa investigación y documentación previa para poder escribir, al final incluso se nos comparten imágenes reales de los protagonistas de esta historia, eso enriquece bastante la lectura.

En fin me divertí leyendo esta historia pese a lo mucho que me tardé en terminarla.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4785648873?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Historical fiction can be a challenge to make relatable but this one navigates that well, presenting us with a blended family and racial issues. The set up and characters hold a lot of promise though the book doesn't quite live up to that. The plot is a bit meandering,, unfocused. There are big ideas at play but they don't really have the space to fully develop.

This book was such an adorable, Betsy-Tacy-ish story that gave me alllll the childhood vibes. I used to read dozens of books like this, and it was just … the same style. The same vibe.

Granted, it was a little slow, but it can be fun to read something a little slow from time to time. I really enjoyed Norvia. However, my favorite characters were definitely Dicta, Virgil, and Vernon. Unlike others, I didn't REALLY care terribly much for most of the boys running in and out of Norvia's life (non-romantically, which means friends and brothers). Like, they were all right, but none of them, including Aylmer, really interested me. Overall, the family dynamics were AWESOME, though. I was so excited for Novia's new and improved family!! Especially her new big sister. <3 I loved her!

The plot was, as I said, a little slow. Even though it didn't particularly take a long time for the plot to get started, it still had a sloggy feeling. That was just the style of the book, though, and as I said, I didn't mind terribly. It was just worth mentioning that there were definitely some points where I was a little boring. I also really disliked the flashbacks as they always took me out of the story and were difficult to keep track of, despite being dated. I found myself skipping them to get to the "actual story," if you will. (Plus, you know. Despite Norvia's POV and all, I just couldn't buy into caring about her dad or anything related to him. I didn't love her mom, either, but in particular, I wanted to be away from her dad and move into her great new family! Did I mention her new family was great?)

It was also interesting hearing hints of several different cultures in this story, and seeing how, realistically, in the era there wasn't a lot of understanding or respect for different cultures OR for situations like Norvia found herself in (the child of divorced parents). (BUT OH MY GOSH HER STEPFATHER. I'm sorry, Alymer is all right, I guess, but find yourself a man like Norvia's stepdad. And I've honestly forgotten if he was Vernon or Virgil, but anyways, THAT GUY. Though I did like her stepbrother, too. He was basically Colin Lennox. Like, 100%. If you know, you know.)

Anywho, basically, this was an adorable story, and I highly recommend it for middle grade and adult readers. It's great for a nostalgia boost.

An interesting middle grade read that has good representation, though some parts were not fully my taste re: religion.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a sweet middle grade book. Well written with delightful characters and well handled difficult themes and life lessons. It reminded me a lot of an L. M. Montgomery book. I think more adults should give middle-grade books a chance!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

3/5 stars, an interesting concept but ultimately slow plot

Thank you to Holiday House for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that this book focuses on a native american main character, and especially that it focused on her dealing with this in her life, I was so excited. I knew that I had to request this book immediately, being native american I always jump to read books with my culture in them. I feel as though there are not enough in the publishing industry, but it's certainly been getting there over the years. We always need more diversity though, especially for indigenous peoples.

Throughout reading most of this book, I was busy and finishing up my move, so my attention was not as centered on this as I would have liked. This might have led me to feel more disconnected from the story, as that's one of the reasons I gave this 3 stars. However, that is largely a personal problem and the times where I was invested I related greatly to what the main character was going through.

Coming of age is a classic trope used to expose what a certain person goes through as they begin to grow into themselves, and it was used wonderfully here to show the impact of being indigenous. Especially, as the author based this around her family's own history and experiences, which just gave the story all the more of a classic feel. Novia was also a really relatable character outside of her being indigenous, including her anxiety and struggle to find herself in new environments.

Overall, this was a sweet book and one that I highly recommend to others if they want to see a bit more into how being indigenous affects people in america, especially in history. This story has a very sweet and relatable main character that should be able to take your heart easily.

[TW: racial aggression, divorce, loss of a parent, new step-siblings and step-parents, racist comments]

“‘You’re not filling my child’s head with your old nonsense again, are you?’ Pa demanded.

‘Just the stories of their family, of their heritage,’ said Grand-pere simply. ‘I don’t think it’s nonsense.’”

As a young girl, Norvia loved to hear the tales of her family, her Ojibwe heritage, but after moving to a new city and dealing with her mother’s remarriage–and the rumors that follow her family because of it–she’s struggling with what her mother wants (to keep their heritage a secret) and what she wants, which is to make 1914 the best year ever. Throw in a grumpy stepbrother and all the ups and downs of growing up makes the year’s goal hard enough. But throw in trying to keep her heritage which she values and knows is part of who she is a secret? Her goal seems impossible. . .

The Star That Always Stays paints a lush picture of a girl in 1914, struggling to live joyfully and thrive, all while trying to find her identity. Interwoven are themes of family, love, and race, creating a tapestry that draws the reader straight into Norvia’s life. While it is described as being written in the style of the classics, I have never enjoyed the classics this one was compared to. However, Anna Rose Johnson’sdebut novel drew me into its world through Norvia and her quest for identity and joy. Each character was tangible, and while that can be credited to the fact that this novel is based in fact, it is also the masterful way in which The Star That Always Stays lays out its themes of identity, hope, and acceptance.

While historical fantasy has never been my favorite genre (nor have the classics), this tale was so infused with light, hope, and joy that I couldn’t help but enjoy myself and find myself in the wonderful world that Anna had built. This novel does not have the fast paced plot that so defines my usual interests, but it does have the other thing that makes me fall in love with books: heart.

And with its heart, voice, and characters, The Star That Always Stays is truly memorable, earning 4 out of 5 stars in my book. It’s perfect for fans of classics and moderns and for fans of stories that are uplifting and filled with joy. I can’t wait to see what Anna Rose Johnson writes next, but I already know it will be filled with the heart that made this novel so memorable.

Favorite Quote:

“Well, she would be a true heroine. She would be an adventuress. She would be brave, and cultivate grace and fellowship and a life of stories. But most of all, she would choose joy, regardless of what happened to her.”

A charming book about a young woman’s life based on the author’s family history.
I loved that Norvia was reading books that are considered classics now such as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women.
It’s about adjusting to a blended family and having Native American ancestry.
I loved that the author also included family photos.

Anne of Green Gables never had to deal with bigotry like Norvia deals with in this sweet middle grade historical fiction book! Set at the start of World War 1, Norvia's family is part Native American, and she is asked to hide that fact as her ma marries "a good man" after her divorce. While Mr. Ward seems nice, Norvia starts to lose friends as she enters high school, due to being the child of divorce and ... shockingly ... an Indian. As Norvia navigates her new life and new siblings, changes to her life begin to pile up. Can she channel the energy of the heroines in her novels to make new friends, get her crush to like her, navigate her new step-siblings and step-father, and more? Perfect for middle grade readers, lovers of the Anne books, and anyone who loves a feel-good story.

Anna Rose Johnson has given us a new classic with her novel, "The Start That Always Stays." Although her novel is set in 1914-1915 she examines topics that are as relevant and difficult today as they were then. We see the racism exhibited towards Norvia's family and the understanding that her family's Ojibwe heritage is a shameful secret that should be kept from her "new" family. We see the difficulty of combining families in the wake of the loss of a parent or of two parents divorcing. I appreciated that Johnson chose to include one widowed parent and one divorcee to make up their new marriage. This will speak to children from both sides of the aisle and anyone who has experienced the breakdown of a family will be able to relate to either the Nelsons or Vernon.

In this slice-of-life novel, we meet Norvia Nelson in the midst of family upheaval. Not only have her parents recently divorced, but her mother has moved the family away from their secluded childhood home in the countryside of Michigan and has decided that she will be marrying a man she has only known for a few months. Norvia isn't sure how she will handle the blending of her family with that of Mr. Ward's, a new instant family complete with 3 step-siblings and a fancy new house. This anxiety is compounded by her nervousness about potentially starting high school. Norvia has a thirst for knowledge that was sneered at by her biological father, but she hopes that the quiet, stable Mr. Ward might feel differently.

Norvia is an incredibly relatable character and so many of her struggles, her anxiety, her inability to find herself as she transitions to a new phase of life, and the bullying she faces from other girls, will be relatable to middle grade students everywhere. "The Star That Always Stays" has incredible potential not only to be a popular library book but also for a classroom novel study. There is so much to discuss and dissect as students are able to make comparisons and contrast the realities of 1914 with the world they experience today. I think it is ripe for discussion and very relevant to the middle grade experience of 2022.

I liked this one but I don't think I was ready for all the scripture and Biblical text.
I liked the talk of the North Star always being steady.
A good book, a good story just has more religion than I expected.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

"The Star That Always Stays" refers to the North Star, the star that stays steady even as all of the other stars move and are in flux. And in 14 yr old Norvia's life, much is in flux. Her parents have divorced (scandalous in this early 1900s era), the family has left Beaver Island (and their Ojibwa culture) for the city, and now her mother is suddenly marrying a man that they do not know and instructing the children to keep their Indian heritage concealed. (Note: I'm using the term "Indian" because that's the term the author uses.) Blending families was never going to be easy, but Norvia's new step-father seems kind and most importantly, he allows Norvia to go to high school, where she enjoys her studies, meets boys, and navigates friendships.

In the book (based on the author's own ancestors), Norvia is captured by classic young women's literature like Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and Pollyanna, and this book has the same slow and gentle cadence found in those works. The characters are nicely developed, and the conflicts (mostly related to blending the families) are nuanced.

Nonreligious readers should know that while this book was largely secular, it took a sharp turn into scripture quoting/"You can always depend on Jesus"/"the best part of Easter was reading from the Bible after supper" territory at about the 76% mark, seemingly out of nowhere. For me, that definitely changed the tone of the book. Your mileage may vary.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. #TheStarThatAlwaysStays