The Forest of Stars

After her mother's slow death by the grief-hungry "love bugs" chewing away at her heart, 12-year-old Louisa sleeps alone every night, floating just above her mother's grave. Born with the power to walk on air like her long-lost father, Louisa hides her magic and fears being blown away by the wind into the forest of stars above. But when she finds an invitation to the mysterious Carnival Beneath the Stars, she finds herself on a path to understanding her "mystique." She is surrounded by new friends with other magical powers, from commanding shadows to telekinesis. Louisa may even find answers about her father, if she can unravel the complex secrets of the carnival and its members. Kassner's poetic descriptions and endlessly inventive world-building drive this fairy tale of self-discovery. Although the plot development is certainly secondary to character-building and atmosphere, the lovable cast, centered around thoughtful and determined Louisa, pulls readers through the simple mystery plot to its emotionally satisfying conclusion. VERDICT Fans of Kelly Barnhill and Neil Gaiman will love Kassner's sometimes sinister, always magical carnival in this evocative fantasy about finding your place in the world.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Black-and-white line drawings capture key scenes and depict Louisa as white. Set in an unusual carnival, this original fantasy is a darkly engaging one.

The writing is rich and sensuous, and stylized black-and-white drawings add to the dreaminess. It's a captivating tale, brimming with magic, marvels, and the reminder that "friendship [is] a sort of magic all its own.

Irresistible. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Kassner's writing dazzles . . . a tale of hope, courage, and friendship. —Newbery Honor winner Ingrid Law

Like the carnival at its heart, this story is richly magical and delightfully eerie. —Cassie Beasley, New York Times bestselling author of Circus Mirandus

A dark and dazzling tale, glistening with marvels, mysteries and the magic of friendship. —Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

Woven together with atmospheric, lyrical language, this is a sparkling tale about grief, hope, and found families. The magic of this book will touch your heart and send it soaring. —Amanda Foody, author of Ace of Shades

A spellbinding tapestry of dreams and nightmares, shadows and hope. —J.A. White, author of The Thickety

A dark, glimmering story that combines the coziness of a classic fairy tale with the joyful inventiveness of poetry, THE FOREST OF STARS is a heartfelt, hopeful novel about owning your magic and finding your place in the world that fans of Catherynne Valente will love. —Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls

Told in prose both dark and glittering, Kassner's mesmerizing, magical story of friendship, belonging and loss will have readers eager to join the Carnival Beneath the Stars and the extraordinary characters found inside its tents. —R. M. Romero, author of The Dollmaker of Kraków