Shortlisted for the 2015 UKLA Book Awards 12-16 years Amina’s family is forced to flee as refuges from an obsessive regime. Even in a harsh refugee camp, Amina and her sister Jenna’s situation is enhanced by the power of the imagination and storytelling. Though Looking at the Stars certainly doesn’t avoid any depictions of the harshness of life for people in conflict zones, this beautifully written book leaves with a feeling of hope.
Amina's country has been taken over by a new regime where women have no rights and it is not safe to question the leader. The citizens are ranked by their age, status and family heritage. Amina is constantly dreaming of a better and safer life where she can speak freely without risking arrest, or worse.
Amina's country has been taken over by a new regime where women have no rights and it is not safe to question the leader. The citizens are ranked by their age, status and family heritage. Amina is constantly dreaming of a better and safer life where she can speak freely without risking arrest, or worse.
When civil war breaks out, Amina's family is brutally torn apart. Forced to leave their quiet village life, and fearful of the future, Amina and her sister Jenna begin a long journey to a refugee camp. To keep their minds off the grief and horror, Amina tells her sister stories about the stars they can see in the night sky.
This award-winning book delivers a powerful message about the importance of imagination, hope and friendship in the darkest times.
Beautifully told in simple but elegant prose and it's a truthful story. It doesn't duck the truth of the terrible situations endured by refugees around the world but it doesn't leave you feeling that everything is hopeless. That's what imagination does, you see. Bookbag
Author
About Jo Cotterill
Before turning to writing full time, Jo was an English and drama teacher and previously, she toured the country as an actor and musician. Jo’s Sweet Hearts series has been very wellreceived and incredibly popular with pre-teen girls.
Her other Solo titles for Barrington Stoke are Take Two, Three’s a Crowd and Love Bites. She lives in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
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Frequently asked questions
Amina's country has been taken over by a new regime where women have no rights and it is not safe to question the leader. The citizens are ranked by their age, status and family heritage.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Looking at the Stars and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-14 years old
Looking at the Stars features in the following genres: Recommended Children's eBooks, Recommendations, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. £8.99. Not Available.
Looking at the Stars was written by Jo Cotterill and published by Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD
