Rules for Stealing Stars

Reviewed by: Terri Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 10, 2016

Review

A far less than perfect home life is the norm for Silly and her three older sisters. Their mom is an alcoholic who can be very cutting with her comments to the children, depending on her mood. Eleven year old Silly often feels isolated from her sisters. And, now that they have moved into her Mom's homestead, her mother's moods are getting worse. Typically, Silly had not been the brunt of her Mom's harshness, but this too has changed. Fortunately for Silly, this change has brought her closer to her sisters who now include her and share their big secret. The big secret involves a bedroom closet that is no ordinary closet. A magical closet that turns into a portal. Here the girls can go on adventures to worlds of their own creation. Everything is not always perfect, even in this magical world and the sisters at times pull apart and relationships are strained. Yet ultimately, the love a family has for each other prevails. The sisters' pain feels authentic and their complex relationships also ring true. A compelling and interesting mix of realistic fiction and fantasy make this book a must read.

Overall Book Score: very good