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357th out of 428 books
—
52 voters
Indigo's Star (Casson Family #2)
by
Hilary McKay
IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE START OF A NEW TERM, AND THE ECCENTRIC CASSONS ARE UP TO THEIR OLD TRICKS!
Indigo, having just recovered from a bout of mononucleosis, must return to school after missing an entire semester. Only his younger sister and loyal sidekick, Rose, knows why he's dreading it so much. As it turns out, the school bullies are eagerly awaiting Indigo's retur...more
Indigo, having just recovered from a bout of mononucleosis, must return to school after missing an entire semester. Only his younger sister and loyal sidekick, Rose, knows why he's dreading it so much. As it turns out, the school bullies are eagerly awaiting Indigo's retur...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
January 24th 2006
by Margaret K. McElderry Books
(first published September 18th 2003)
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This is the second book about the Casson family (after Saffy's Angel). I have a particular fondness for stories about siblings who have their own subculture and societal structure(e.g. Half Magic, Little Women, The Penderwicks, Terrible Horrible Edie). This one is especially good. It manages to address so many themes that are dear to me(the difficulties and delights of being eccentric, the tyranny of schoolyard bullies, the importance of being kind to the underdog, family love and loyalty)in a w...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This book is about a boy who, after recovering from mono, has to go back to school, and the horrible bullying he experiences when he is there. Except this time, his older sister and her friend defend him, and completely beat and humiliate the leader of the gang. However, that does not stop the group of bullies from locking in on a new target, the newly arrived American student named Tom, who is Indigo’s new friend. The book follows the story of their friendship, and also the friendship that deve...more
Indigo’s Star is the second book in the Casson family series and is more of a companion novel than a proper sequel to Saffy’s Angel – although it could be read as stand-alone but to do so would deprive you of the delights of that first book. Believe me: you don’t want that to happen.
This particular entry focuses on Indigo, the sole boy in the family as he is about to go back to school after a long illness. It soon emerges that before getting ill, Indigo was being bullied at school. Only his youn...more
This particular entry focuses on Indigo, the sole boy in the family as he is about to go back to school after a long illness. It soon emerges that before getting ill, Indigo was being bullied at school. Only his youn...more
I would guess I'm hardly unique when I say I love the Casson family. Saffy's Angel surprised and delighted me, and this follow-up improves on it, if anything. Quirky, loving, artistic, and genuine characters with great family dynamics. I'm immediately putting a hold on the next one.
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"There are all sorts of families," Tom's grandmother had remarked, and over the following few weeks Tom became part of the Casson family, as Michael and Sarah and Derek-from-the-camp had done before him.
He immedi...more
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"There are all sorts of families," Tom's grandmother had remarked, and over the following few weeks Tom became part of the Casson family, as Michael and Sarah and Derek-from-the-camp had done before him.
He immedi...more
The book Indigo’s Star is an amazing book with touching family experiences. It is a book about a boy named Indigo who got bullied in his years of school. He got mononucleosis, and had to recover from it. He went back to school after missing an entire semester of school. Bullies at his school are waiting for Indigo to come back to school to torture Indigo some more. They want to pick up where they left off, flushing his head down the toilet. The book’s genre is realistic fiction. Indigo being bul...more
This series that follows the Casson family doesn't have danger or mystery but it's a very warm series about a family and their day to day problems. The series takes place in England. Bill Casson is an artist who lives in London away from his family. I quite resent him as I read the books- he just screams of male chauvinism. He is important as an author but his wife, Eve (pat the little woman on the head every once in awhile) is the one who sort of has to deal with the family problems while she p...more
I am picking these books up later in life, so I am viewing them possibly as the author never intended them to be read: with the eye of a Tiger Mom.
The more I read the clearer it becomes that these children are leading a horrifically marginal existence. It is not so bad that the social service people must intervene (although now, in retrospect, how ominous it was that a home inspector was at the house at the opening of SAFFY'S ANGEL). What would the kids do without kindly neighbors to give a squ...more
The more I read the clearer it becomes that these children are leading a horrifically marginal existence. It is not so bad that the social service people must intervene (although now, in retrospect, how ominous it was that a home inspector was at the house at the opening of SAFFY'S ANGEL). What would the kids do without kindly neighbors to give a squ...more
This series is one of my favorites for middle school.
After recovering from mononucleosis, twelve-year-old Indigo Casson returns to school. Unfortunately, he also returns to the bullying he was subjected to during the last term.
On his return he meets another victim. Tom is a funny, but troubled young American who has abandoned his family in the States to live with his grandmother in England. Together they fight the rabble gang of bullies with a little help from Indigo's sisters.
The Casson parents...more
After recovering from mononucleosis, twelve-year-old Indigo Casson returns to school. Unfortunately, he also returns to the bullying he was subjected to during the last term.
On his return he meets another victim. Tom is a funny, but troubled young American who has abandoned his family in the States to live with his grandmother in England. Together they fight the rabble gang of bullies with a little help from Indigo's sisters.
The Casson parents...more
I was a little worried at the start that i wouldn't be able to handle the family situation, just due to being sensitive right now. But the author didn't go deep enough to make it hurt too much.
The book was more about "Rose" and her anger and her constant trying to bring her father home and make them a family. Instead he misinterpets everything, even when he does return he doesn't stay. and I could be misquoting but it seemed to me that Rose was saying often "He was bad and he was good" and tha...more
The book was more about "Rose" and her anger and her constant trying to bring her father home and make them a family. Instead he misinterpets everything, even when he does return he doesn't stay. and I could be misquoting but it seemed to me that Rose was saying often "He was bad and he was good" and tha...more
A book for older children or younger teens about the delightful and disorganised Casson family. Indigo has been off school for some time with glandular fever, and although he is now recovered he doesn't want to go back to school at all, because he has been badly bullied. However, at last he must return... and to his surprise he meets a new boy, Tom, who does not seem to be worried by the bullies...
The story isn't just about school, or about bullying, however. There's an underlying thread about...more
The story isn't just about school, or about bullying, however. There's an underlying thread about...more
I kept seeing this book at the library and noticed it every time because Indigo was a name I always wanted to use if I had a boy. So I finally picked it up, realized it was one of a series. So I read Saffy's angel first and then read this one.
It is a crazy family which you're supposed to appreciate and love, and you do, but in reality, if you knew a family like that, you would probably call child protective services. It is total chaos and neglect, but the kids manage to take care of themselves...more
It is a crazy family which you're supposed to appreciate and love, and you do, but in reality, if you knew a family like that, you would probably call child protective services. It is total chaos and neglect, but the kids manage to take care of themselves...more
"Indigo's Star" is a companion piece to Hilary McKay's "Saffy's Angel." The story humorously tells about the artistic and quirky Casson family living in England and coping with familiar everyday struggles. Both parents are artists. They are separated with dad in his London studio and mom trying to keep it together juggling 4 kids and her own career. Named after colors, each child demonstrates a familial strength in which the entire family appreciates and supports. The only son, Indigo, dreads re...more
Great middle school book, companion to Saffy's Angel, which I also loved. The eccentric Casson family is up to their usual standard. Indigo is returning to school after having missed most of the previous term due to mono, Rose is painting a mural on the kitchen wall, Eve is spending most of her time in the painting shed, and Saffy and Sarah are trying to maintain some kind of order. Into the mix is added Tom, a visitor to Indigo's class from America, and his love of heights and guitar-playing. A...more
The Cassons have sucked me in! And the Indigo/Tom dynamic was particularly compelling.
The crazy Casson family is back and this time we see the story mainly through the eyes of Indigo, the lone boy. Indigo has been very, very sick with mono and missed an entire school term; but now he is well and is preparing to return to school--with dread. Unfortunately Indigo has been the victim of bullying and he just knows that when he returns, so will the abuse. But what he doesn't expect to find is Tom, the American boy living with his grandfather. Tom is strange, but the two eventually bec...more
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Synopsis- This book is about a kid that is very very ill and trys to get better by his personal life by staying healthy and exercizing.
classification-
Audience-14+ aiming towards people that are interesed
Purpose- Mostly emotional and exciting
medium: novel
genre:realism nonfiction
genre: style; historical fiction
Critiscism
This book is very emotional because it shows that people are different because of there illness and born disieases. This book is such as most lilkely real because it deals with re...more
classification-
Audience-14+ aiming towards people that are interesed
Purpose- Mostly emotional and exciting
medium: novel
genre:realism nonfiction
genre: style; historical fiction
Critiscism
This book is very emotional because it shows that people are different because of there illness and born disieases. This book is such as most lilkely real because it deals with re...more
This entire series is clever and very readable. Great for any age the stories don't demean the young adult (or any age) reader capacity for good writing.
Two of my favorite quotes:
Eve the mother says "Even if he didn't need mothering (which after all is only another way of saying he needs a slave) .. " with regard to an undesirable boyfriend of Caddy.
And Indigo thinks about his friend Tom "There was no need, though, to pretend with Indigo. Indigo did not pretend with him."
Two of my favorite quotes:
Eve the mother says "Even if he didn't need mothering (which after all is only another way of saying he needs a slave) .. " with regard to an undesirable boyfriend of Caddy.
And Indigo thinks about his friend Tom "There was no need, though, to pretend with Indigo. Indigo did not pretend with him."
This was enjoyable, but I did not realize that it was the second one in a series. I felt a little lost because the author did not explain the family characters too well. I think that you just had to read the first one.
This was the story of Indigo Casson who is returning to school after being home sick with mono. He is dreading it because he is being tortured by a gang of bullies. He meets Tom, a boy who is visiting from America, and they become good friends.
This was the story of Indigo Casson who is returning to school after being home sick with mono. He is dreading it because he is being tortured by a gang of bullies. He meets Tom, a boy who is visiting from America, and they become good friends.
Well, evidently I'm in the minority again, according to star ratings on goodreads.com. Most readers liked this book. I forced myself to finish it because it was nominated for PPYA. I have nothing against strange families, but I just didn't get into the action of the book at all. The characters were cool, but, meh. Maybe because this book is written more for younger readers? I'm hoping that's it. I just didn't see an audience for it all with my high school students.
Indigo is a 12-year-old boy who...more
Indigo is a 12-year-old boy who...more
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We checked this out on audio cassette from the library for a road trip, and I immensely enjoyed it! I have not read Saffy's Angel, but it stood well on its own.
Indigo and his family are an odd bunch, which makes the story all the better. The characters are very round. Indigo develops nicely throughout the story, mostly because of his American friend Tom. Indigo overcomes the school bullies, begins to learn to play the guitar, and helps his sister Rose with all her ambitions.
Indigo's father add...more
Indigo and his family are an odd bunch, which makes the story all the better. The characters are very round. Indigo develops nicely throughout the story, mostly because of his American friend Tom. Indigo overcomes the school bullies, begins to learn to play the guitar, and helps his sister Rose with all her ambitions.
Indigo's father add...more
Indigo's Star was something special. I have to compliment the author for her intricate writing style. At first I found the variety of characters and the way the book shifted focus a bit confusing, but eventually I got used to it. The story's ending is beautiful, in a way it goes full circle to the beginning of he book. I would highly recommend it to everyone!
I like books that have multiple topics. Indigo's Star is definately one of them. There are so many things going on at once- that it is simply awesome. As always for me, I had a little bit of trouble with the male main character, but I got over it quickly to enjoy the good story. I am probably going to read Saffy's Angel soon. I saw it at my school's library.
FOURTEEN CHAPTERS IN: Wow. This book includes no romance at all but that's okay. It's INCREDIBLE. Real-life experiences. Real things that teens deal with everyday. I love it.
FINISHED WITH BOOK: Absolutely amazing. Well-written, very detailed, and, of course, very touching.
This book...a MUST READ.
Real-life experiences. A book that will teach you a lifelong lesson about friends and family...
FINISHED WITH BOOK: Absolutely amazing. Well-written, very detailed, and, of course, very touching.
This book...a MUST READ.
Real-life experiences. A book that will teach you a lifelong lesson about friends and family...
Casson Family #2. The brother, Indigo has been off a term with mon and doesn't want to return to school because of bullies. When he does, he meets up with American Tom who also has an interesting story. Tom is adopted into the family and the family story continues. Good treatment of bullying. Fun story of a loving, but eccentric family.
I think that this book was very exciting and kind of sad. I liked it because Indigo finally got rid of the bullies that were after him. And he also had made a new friend, Tom. I felt bad for him because he had the bullies on him and he had been sick with Mono for so long that he really didn't have many friends. It was kind of exciting because you really didn't know what was going to happen next, like when Indigo and Tom were starting to like to climb very high places.
Life in a family has its ups and downs. The Casson family is no different.
Indigo has been ill and missed quite a bit of term time and he's not looking forward to it because then he'll come face to face with his bullies again.
As he returns to school a new boy starts - he's American and has a can't care less attitude - they become pals and start to face the bullies.
You also meet the rest of the clan Rose is adjusting to life with glasses and to her dad being away in London, Eve (mum) spends lots...more
Indigo has been ill and missed quite a bit of term time and he's not looking forward to it because then he'll come face to face with his bullies again.
As he returns to school a new boy starts - he's American and has a can't care less attitude - they become pals and start to face the bullies.
You also meet the rest of the clan Rose is adjusting to life with glasses and to her dad being away in London, Eve (mum) spends lots...more
Brilliant! It would be a tragedy to stop reading after Saffy's Angel - get Indigo's Star ASAP and continue the Casson family journey! Personally, I think this installment is even better than the first, as the rapport between Indigo, Rose and Tom adds a lot of fun and delves slightly deeper into the day to day lives of young people.
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Hilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child "I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home."
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary...more
More about Hilary McKay...
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary...more
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“Is this your holiday homework?" asked Sarah. "Don't do it, Rose! And Eve will write you a note to say it's iniquitous to give eight-year-olds homework. You will, won't you, Eve?"
"I could never spell 'iniquitous,' Sarah darling!"
"Hot concrete," said Rose mournfully, prodding her porridge.
"Write this," ordered Saffron. "'The ancient Egyptians are all dead. Their days are very quiet.' Porridge is meant to look like hot concrete. Eat it up.... Read the next question!"...
"What would you say if you bumped into Tutankhamen in the street?"
"'Sorry!'" said Sarah at once. "Put that."
"We have to answer in proper sentences."
"'Sorry, but it was your fault! You were walking sideways!”
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12 people liked it
"I could never spell 'iniquitous,' Sarah darling!"
"Hot concrete," said Rose mournfully, prodding her porridge.
"Write this," ordered Saffron. "'The ancient Egyptians are all dead. Their days are very quiet.' Porridge is meant to look like hot concrete. Eat it up.... Read the next question!"...
"What would you say if you bumped into Tutankhamen in the street?"
"'Sorry!'" said Sarah at once. "Put that."
"We have to answer in proper sentences."
"'Sorry, but it was your fault! You were walking sideways!”
“Make a wish," said Indigo.
Rose made a wish and then asked, "Why?"
"That's what I always do. Wish on the moving ones."
"Does it matter how fast they move?"
"I don't think so."
"Can you wish on airplanes, too?"
"Oh, yes.”
—
8 people liked it
More quotes…
Rose made a wish and then asked, "Why?"
"That's what I always do. Wish on the moving ones."
"Does it matter how fast they move?"
"I don't think so."
"Can you wish on airplanes, too?"
"Oh, yes.”
