A Bucket of Stars

by Suri Rosen

A story of two kids trying to save the world they know and heal the families they have. It’s the summer of 2003 and thirteen-year-old astronomer Noah Cooper has just moved to Queensport, a small town with a vast amateur sky full of stars. There he meets Tara Dhillon, a lonely girl and aspiring filmmaker. When the two team up to produce an astronomy movie and enter a film contest, they discover a secret plan to turn their rural hamlet into a huge subdivision. Noah and Tara must use their unique skills to identify the culprits who plan on paving over the historic county ― and try to save the infinite beauty of the stars. As if that’s not enough to have at stake, Noah needs to win the prize money to buy a new telescope for his unemployed father ― an ex-astronomer who’s almost given up on the stars, as well as life on earth. Touching on themes of activism, environmental anxiety and mental health, A Bucket of Stars will have readers cheering for Noah, a boy whose head is in the stars, and Tara, a girl who lives in a world of digital images ― and their special bond that just might mend the world around them.

Genres: Friendship, Middle Grade

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Wendelle]

Noah's father has moved him and his brother Kyle to the small town of Queensport, in rural Ontario. His father used to be destined to be an astronomer, but now works as a part-time janitor to make ends meet. Noah hopes that he can resuscitate his family-s happiness and his father's broken dreams-- but will his efforts to fundraise money for a new telescope for his father be enough?

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Battle of the books

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each chapter begins with a fact about stars and and the universe. This sets the tone for this story. It was a version of kids vs. the establishment with a twist of a broken father trying to deal with raising his two sons on his own. Another happy ending, though.

[Haley Thomas]

Read for Red Maple '24

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has everything - adventure, mystery, drama, family challenges, sibling love, friendship, and, of course, a night sky full of stars.

After their mother passes away, Noah and his brother Kyle, along with their dad, move back to his childhood hometown, which means starting over in a new place. Luckily for Noah, he befriends Tara, an equally odd 13-year-old who loves chocolate and making movies. Together, they get into all sorts of trouble but all for the sake of saving their beloved town from a big corporation that aims to pave their way through the farmlands. Despite the lack of parental motivation from Noah and Kyle’s father, Noah decides it is up to him to not only save the town but to save their dad from himself by buying him a telescope and helping him find his passion once again for the stars and the night.

What I loved:
⭐️How each chapter begins with a true and remarkable fascinating astronomy fact
⭐️ How relatable the characters are from the sibling relationship between Noah and Kyle to the newly formed friendship between Noah and Tara
⭐️ Reading about their adventures together reminded me of my own childhood spent riding my bike through the countryside and watching the summer night sky
⭐️ That it was based in Canada
⭐️ The realness of the family dynamics after a great loss. I couldn’t help but tear up during the tender family moments, especially at the end

This middle grade book did not disappoint!

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah and his brother are trying to adjust to a new life in their dad’s childhood home. When Noah meets Tara she introduces him to amateur movie making, and he shows her the stars. If they can impress the mayor with a movie about a dog astronomer, Noah has a chance of getting his dad a new telescope, hoping this will revive his spirt and rekindle his passion for astronomy. Ultimately, their project also becomes a chance to save their town from big construction. This engaging and emotional mystery touches on corruption, activism, and mental health.

[Megan Tian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book! Definitely the type for the younger generation, but still interesting and sweet. I hope there's a sequel or something.

[savani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

[E. C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was mid and I wasn't really rooting for anyone because they're supposed to be "quirky" or whatever. Kyle was probably the only normal one to be honest.

[Aiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY GOOD

[Sara Raizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this!

I stayed up last Friday night devouring the whole book in one go and delighting in the writing, and- it felt like- just really enjoying spending time with the really relatable, loveable and realistic characters. I just didn't want to let them go!

I like books that make me laugh, and Suri does this thing where the characters are SO real that you indulge storylines that are hilariously far fetched- especially cuz, come on, they could be...!

I cried for Noah and got fire-angry for Kyle and hurt for Jim, and couldn't wait to see all the Bad Guys lose and the Good Guys win in an elegantly satisfying wrap-up to a really fun ride.

Enjoy!

[Shoshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! The entire time I was reading this I was thinking how much my niece and nephew (5 and 10) would love it, but the funny thing is that I (30) loved it too! The plot, the writing, the true facts, I want to live in that universe a bit.
My new favorite author 😉

[Nehama Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
The characters are relatable, the writing is engaging, and the plot is intriguing.
When I finished reading, I just wanted to find someone to share it with - maybe it will be you ;)

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

i read this last year and i don’t even remember the plot of the book all i remember is just somewhat liking some parts of it