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Reviewed by S. Mathur for Readers' Favorite
The Stars Are Always There by Jaime Maria Merrill is a compelling read, with a fast-paced plot and vivid writing that brings the events to life. The summer isn’t going well for Jess Lindsey, a month short of her twelfth birthday. Her parents have just gotten divorced, and as a result, she can’t go to summer camp with her school friends like she always does. Instead, she’s forced to accompany her mother and nerdy brother Will to the family ranch where Uncle Frank lives. Once there, however, she begins to open up to new experiences and new friends, especially the horses. She also begins to learn about ecological problems in the Texas Panhandle, like water shortages and the hardships these cause for residents and wildlife. Without simplifying things, the story tells how Jess sets out to find solutions with her new friends, both human and animal.
There’s so much to love in The Stars Are Always There, but for me, the best parts were the descriptions of life on the ranch and in the small town. The accounts of thunderstorms on the high plains, farm markets, and rides through the seemingly desert land are so realistic that it was the next best thing to actually being there. Jaime Maria Merrill tells a complex story, keeping all the threads skillfully in hand. The characters are well-rounded, even the bad ones. There is a touch of magic, as promised in the blurb, which fits into the story in an entirely natural and believable way. Written for preteens on the verge of self-discovery, it also works wonderfully as a refresher course for adults.
