Circling the Stars

by Laura Sheldon

192 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 1, 2026

Reviews

[Jo Aaron]

Charming exploration of tough themes for readers of 9 to 90!

I loved this book so much. Anwen is a girl on the cusp of adolescence, navigating her way through friendship, loss and enchanting nighttime encounters. I could tell the author was a teacher from the way she perfectly captures the way kids that age think and speak. I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought it, but it's utterly charming and written as a simple, expressive long form poem, which I loved. I've bought another for my Mum and my grown up daughter, I liked it so much.

[Books By Your Bedside]

Thanks to NetGalley and Firefly for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I know I'm 3x the reading age, but this one looked and sounded so sweet and uplifting and I needed that after a series of difficult and serious reads.

It's written in lyrical free verse. I don't think I've ever read a book in lyrical verse, unless it included poetry, and I wasn't sure how I'd find it. But I really liked it. There was something quite magical about it. And for a book with quite serious subjects, it helps soften it a bit and makes it more accessible for younger readers.

Laura hasn't shielded younger readers from the reality of growing up - relationship breakdowns, divorce, blended families, puberty - but also about the joy of friendship, love, family, and nature.

I did find the main characters a little annoying but I think it's because they're children and I'm not, and so when they think the smallest thing is the end of the world, as an older reader that can feel quite annoying but I know that's a personal thing.

I think the age range is good but I would say slightly older than 9, because while it's quite simply written, there are some complex topics and emotions I'm not sure younger readers will understand - but maybe I'm doing them a disservice. It's a pleasant and comforting book for adults to read and I think I got more out of it than a child would because I can see it from a different perspective.

The speech is absorbed into the prose so there's no separate lines for dialogue or speech marks, which is a style of writing I really don't like. I couldn't say I liked it in this, but it wasn't quite as jarring as it could have been, and I think that's because of the lyrical verse.

I read it in one sitting; it's a very beautiful and poignant book.

[Scarlett King]

Circling the Stars

Author: Laura Sheldon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review:

Thank you Netgalley and Firefly Press for this arc.

What would you not do to keep the ones you love close by you and not let them go far far away? This is the story of Ani whose parents are divorced and her father will be leaving to live at another place, worrying Ani in the process. When Ani befriends a neighbor who sneaks out at night and introduces her to a furry friend, Ani begins to find comfort there. But what happens when her new found furry friend is in danger, will she be able to help the fox and her cubs?

Ani is the protagonist who is a middle school child suffering from the gloom that comes with her father moving away after divorce. She goes through this transformative journey that helps her understand that love is boundless and defies time.

What I love about this book is that it incorporated the symbolism of stars and the fox , intertwining the fact that although the tragedy that occurred to the animal has separated her from the living, the fox still watches over her children from the stars. The names of her cubs are those of stars which makes it more connected.

The author has done a great job in crafting such beloved characters that help the protagonist along her journey to know that she is loved. The cover is beautiful and relays serenity to the reader who picked the book up because essentially the protagonist finds peace with her inner conflict.

I would highly recommend this book to children aged 9-12 who have experienced the divorce of their parents and feel heavy by their separation.

[Jess Keast]

2.5* rounded up.

I was interested to try a book in verse but unfortunately it's not the format for me. I was taught how to read/say the pauses at the end of a line a certain way and it doesn't seem to work with this. Doesn't flow at all for me.

I still don't understand the title... I think the cover should've at least had the main character on it coz the fox is not the main character.

I struggled with the main character/setting not being introduced at the start, I didn't know what to imagine.

Do people have plastic windowsills?!
What is a comp school? I had to guess.

I did like the line "I feel the grump of her gaze. " 🤣
I wish all the speaking had proper quotation marks, I find not using them very hard to understand.

Chapters were missing too. My eyes got used to and ignored the stars separating sections and I'd get confused.

I think this would've been much better written as a normal book. The plot is interesting (maybe too many pilot lines) but the format is distracting.



My thanks to Netgalley for the advance ebook copy.

[Omiai]

I didn't realise this would be a poetry style story when I picked it up, and no matter how hard I try with poetry and narrative poetry, I just can't bring myself to enjoy it.
I did make it to the end of this one, as the story with the foxes kept me just curious enough to keep going, and it wasn't exactly a long book.
I found Anwen/ani rather annoying as a character. The side story about her parents splitting up...I know that it's an important topic that a lot of children deal with, and reading books can help them cope with these things, but this book brought nothing new to this particular subject.
The best part were the foxes. The rest was just dull to me.
I also found that the author was using a lot of outdated terms for things, maybe they are more common where the book is set? But it felt like someone a little out of touch with current language amongst adolescents.
So overall, not for me.

[Donna's Book Addiction Book review Arc Reader]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book Review
Circling the Stars
by Laura Sheldon
Circling the Stars is a beautifully gentle and emotional story that explores friendship, loss, and healing in such a tender way 💛
At its heart, this is a story about coping with change. Ani’s journey through her dad’s absence feels honest and relatable, and I loved how the story handles those emotions with care and softness. The nighttime adventures add a quiet sense of magic, and the bond that forms between Ani, Nando, and the fox is truly special 🦊✨
The writing has a calm, almost dreamlike quality that makes it perfect for younger readers while still carrying meaningful themes that will resonate with both children and adults. The story of the fox and her cubs adds just the right touch of tension and heart, making it both comforting and engaging.
A lovely, heartfelt read about finding connection in unexpected places—and learning that even in difficult times, you’re never truly alone 🌌

[Farah G]

Angwen is struggling to deal with the new normal since her father has moved out.

Until she notices her next door neighbour, a boy of a similar age, sneaking out of his house every night. Where does he go?

After following Nando, Ani discovers she soon has not one but two new companions - and one of them is a fox! This is a touching, slightly melancholic, but ultimately hopeful story about how to navigate life, find friends in unexpected places, and enjoy what nature has to offer.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Ann Tarrant]

This delightfully engaging book tells the story of Anni, a girl poised on the cusp of adolescence as she navigates big changes in her life. Her story is told in verse which feels effortless to read, and the simplicity and vividness of the language belies the complexity of the ideas and emotions being explored. Highly recommended.

[Louise Seaside]

This was an enjoyable read, enhanced by a poetic style of writing. The writing contains a buoyant rhythm and excellent imagery. I was soon drawn into the storyline and found the book easy to pick up and read. I enjoyed the book so much, that at times I found myself rereading sections aloud and this added another dimension to the book.

[Helen Christie]

I loved this book. It feels authentic and emotional and full of energy. I read big chunks of it out loud to my little boy and, although he couldn't always follow what was happening, the rhythm of the verse is so compelling - we both loved it. This would be a gorgeous gift for a kid that is approaching that awkward growing up kind of age.

[Alex Elvin]

‘Circling Our Stars’ is funny, heartfelt, and quietly profound — a story about learning to carry what hurts while still reaching for what’s beautiful. Laura Sheldon has crafted a novel that feels both comforting and courageous, perfect for readers who love character‑driven stories with emotional depth and a touch of wander.

[Cheryl P]

A lovely book written in verse which covers some of the complex feelings and emotions of growing up and navigating family changes.