The Stars From Me To You
In a coma after being hit by a truck while riding his bike, thirteen-year-old Rion is stuck in Limbo—a vast and empty solar system of planets and stars somewhere between Heaven and the not so good Heaven. His twin sister Bellamie may be the only one who can rescue him, but to do that she has to learn the truth about The Accident. With the help of fellow schoolmate and psychic Adley, she also learns the truth about her own sexual identity. Read the first chapter.
by Nicole Bea
PUBLISHED APRIL 2020 | ISBN 978-1-7753717-5-5 • FICTION / MIDDLE GRADE • 144 PAGES / 5.35 × 8 IN / SOFTCOVER
EXCERPT
“Bellamie?” Adley’s voice is tiny and sweet, like a candy from my old Grandma Patsy. I’ve never really looked at her very closely before, but her pale face and dark hair reminds me of Snow White from the old Disney movies. “I’m really sorry to hear about your brother. I wasn’t sure if I could help, so I did a tea leaf reading this morning and it told me you might need me.”
Sticking my binder inside the messy locker space, I try my hardest to hide my bewilderment. How would Adley know anything about me needing help? My heart jumps a little in my chest, and I can’t tell why because I’ve never felt something like that before.
“A tea leaf reading? What even is that?” I ask, trying to be as polite as possible while simultaneously also trying to stop the amount I appear to have started sweating. I feel all hot inside, like there’s a fire in my belly, and my face must be red because my cheeks are tingly.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like," Adley replies gently, swapping her weight from one foot to the other. “I make tea. I drink it. I read the messages in the leaves.”
REVIEW(S)
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with a surprisingly deft treatment of very weighty subjects, [The Stars From Me To You] is a good entry point for discussions about life, death, personal responsibility, and sexual identity.
OUR CHILDREN MAGAZINE BOOK REVIEW
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She read it very quickly and then insisted that I needed to read it as well. I am so glad that she did!
Sometimes you come across a book that sticks with you long after you have turned the last page. I had an ache in my chest for days after I finished The Stars From Me to You. It was so poignant. Nicole Bea has simply outdone herself with this literary work of art. And while this book is aimed at a middle school audience, I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. I laughed and I cried. It is touching and heartbreaking and deals with sensitive, heavy topics in such a delicate but factual manner; it makes it very accessible for all ages.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the beautiful cover, the fact that there is a talking dog (!!) or the excellent twist towards the end that me nor my daughter saw coming (she said it was her fave part along with the reading of the tea leaves which she found really interesting).
We both really loved it!
NICOLE, GOODREADS
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It’s a must-read for everyone—adults and children alike. It deals with all kinds of important topics like grief, depression, sexuality, and love. I found myself relating to the characters and I loved the development of Bellamie, as well as the concept of Limbo. Sweet, insightful, and very poetic.
Do yourself a favour and pick it up! You won’t regret reading it.
Not to mention the adorable bookmark I received! I also loved the help phones at the back of the book in case someone out there is struggling.
D. GRICKEN, GOODREADS
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of mental health, sexuality and mortality in a way that gives each topic the seriousness they require while also managing to keep the overall story from feeling dark.
SUZI FEVENS, BOOKSTAGRAMMER REVIEW
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I look forward to sharing it with my children in a couple of years because there is lots to talk about here in regards to mental health, life, growing up, and sexual identity.
THE MARITIME READER REVIEW
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The characters are real and easy to identify with (and) the ending is satisfying and reads at a fast pace that will appeal to young adults.
LANA SHUPE, ATLANTIC BOOK REVIEWS