Star in the Forest

by Laura Resau

Zitlally's family is undocumented, and her father has just been arrested for speeding and deported back to Mexico. As her family waits for him to return—they’ve paid a coyote to guide him back across the border—they receive news that he and the coyote’s other charges have been kidnapped and are being held for ransom. Meanwhile, Zitlally and a new friend find a dog in the forest near their trailer park. They name it Star for the star-shaped patch over its eye. As time goes on, Zitlally starts to realize that Star is her father’s “spirit animal,” and that as long as Star is safe, her father will be also. But what will happen to Zitlally’s dad when Star disappears?

“A vibrant, large-hearted story.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred (on Red Glass )

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Cultural, Fiction, Family, Dogs

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Laura Resau is the author of The Alchemy of Flowers, The River Muse (May 2026), and eleven acclaimed books for children and teens. Her books have garnered nineteen starred trade reviews, five Colorado Book Awards, and spots on “best-of” book lists from Oprah, School Library Journal, and the American Library Association. Trilingual, she’s lived in Provence and Oaxaca, and has a background in cultural anthropology, languages, and ESL. She teaches graduate creative writing at Western Colorado University. You might find her writing in her cozy vintage trailer in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she lives with her rock-hound husband, musician son, wild husky, and a hundred house plants.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe 3 1/2 stars. A short, accessible book that portrays some of the overwhelming challenges faced by undocumented immigrants living in U.S. Early in the story, 11-year-old Zitlally's father is pulled over for speeding. Because of his undocumented status, he is immediately deported to Mexico, leaving his wife and 3 daughters struggling to cope with life in their Colorado trailer. With her father absent, Zitlally finds comfort in an abandoned dog she discovers close to her home and spiritually links this dog's survival to her father's destiny. The animal story may provide as a strong hook for some young readers.

Could serve as a excellent catalyst for a discussion of illegal immigration in this country.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter bought this book at her school book fair and was thrilled to read it because she could relate to Zitlally's life as a child of a Mexican immigrant. She loved it and insisted that I read it too. The story line was sweet and gave a broad but innocent look at how immigration laws impact families in our country. I'm happy my daughter is interested in stories like her own father's and I'm even happier someone took this topic, even though illegal immigration is often thought of as taboo, and made it into a children's novel.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star in the Forest tells the story of Zitlilly, an eleven year old girl living in Colorado whose father has just been deported back to Mexico. Her family (still consisting of a mother and two sisters) live in a trailer park and fear being deported as well. Zitlilly has grown accustomed to being popular and living well; but suddenly, living a life of secrets, she feels isolated and alone. It is only when Zitlilly finds a white dog in the forest that she begins to feel some hope, and even more still when the strange girl Crystal begins to act like her friend.

Although I think this is an important story to be told, I hope that this story will also be translated into Spanish. I truly believe that there are people- English/Spanish, young/old alike who would benefit from this tale. I worry that it is too political to appeal to everyone, and fear that the political message may dissuade parents from encouraging their students in their choice of reading this book.

That being said, I'm not sure the book knows what age level it is for. Although the main character is 11, the book mentions strange men living in her house who drink beer, her mother going out on Friday nights wearing miniskirts and silky shirts and somewhat neglecting her children, and a neighbor who is clearly living in an abusive house. It seems like the author wants to appeal to adults about this desperate lifestyle that these people are forced into. I cannot stress enough that just because a book is written from the perspective of a child, does not make it a children's book (see: Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman). I'm being a bit harsh- this book certainly isn't inappropriate for students... rather, it's details in the book that I think are better left out.

Star is surprisingly a minor character in this book with little to do except lick at hands and whimper. In fact, I wanted to learn more about Star than I did about Zitlilly or her Papa. The clear indications of animal abuse in this book are also a bit disturbing.

I do think the message of this book is a positive one, one that is hoping for positive change in this country, and I can't fault it for trying. It just wasn't my favorite. (In summary: Just because a story needed to be told, doesn't mean it has been told well. See: The recent popularity of Hurricane Katrina chapter books that tell captivating stories of our shared history, but don't do it particularly well.)

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zitlally's father is caught speeding by the police and because he is an illegal immigrant, he is deported back to Mexico. Zitlally and her family, except for her youngest sister, are illegal also. Zitlally is so upset that she stops talking at school and soon her best friends stop associating with her. Only Crystal, the girl who lives next door in their trailer park wants to be Zitlally's friend. Then one day, Zitlally and Crystal find a dog tied to a broken down truck in a junkyard near their trailer park that they call the forest. Zitlally doesn't really like dogs since she was bitten by one when she was 5. But this dog seems to trust her, especially when she brings it food and water. She names the dog Star, because it is all white except for a black star shape on the back of its neck. As Zitlally becomes more attached to the dog, she believes that if she keeps Star safe, her father will return. The author presents issues that illegal immigrants are facing in America and this book will offer a chance for students and teachers to discuss this timely topic after reading this book.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at my school's book fair and I'm so glad I picked it up. Initially I bought it for my readers who love animals. But this book is so much more than that. It can often be frustrating to find books with characters from other backgrounds in them, and even those that do often brush that to the side or mention only the good things about that characters heritage. In this book, Zitlally is an undocumented immigrant living with her family in Colorado when her father is pulled over for speeding and deported when he cannot provide a license.

The fear her family feels during this difficult time resonates and shows readers that this happens in the United States, and people are affected by this. I loved that Zitlally was Mexican and her father also spoke Nahuatl, which really added another dimension to the book. The folk tale told adds yet another layer, and weaves into the main plot of the story, which is where the dog, Star, comes in.

Seriously a book worth adding to any classroom library, no matter what age. I will give this to my advanced second graders to read, and my eighth graders will enjoy it as well. I know quite a few students who will be able to connect to Zitlally.

[Alex Atchison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star in the Forest is a great Realistic Fiction text for student readers in late 3rd or 4th grade. Reading this text would build the cultural literacy of the students in the classroom through the introduction of the concepts of immigration, poverty, and diverse background situations of children. These differing situations may be things that students in your class may bring background knowledge of and allow for productive discourse and peer learning. This text could also be used to talk about aspects of different cultures such as birthday celebrations, languages, folk lore, and other traditions. As an instructor you could foster a conversation about these traditions as well as those celebrated by the students in the class, working with the standard of comparing and contrasting. From a literary standpoint this text could aid in the instruction of the features of foreshadowing and symbols. This book was a WOW book to me because I learned new things about a different culture and found myself emotionally invested in the fate of all the characters. I was hooked within a few pages and read this text in one sitting !

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter chose this book from a book fair at her school and since it is well above her reading level, I read it to her. The author did a nice job of presenting the realities -- physical and emotional -- that illegal immigrants endure. She also wove in some lessons about friendship and school social hierarchy that was refreshingly clear of the preachy. In fact, this book could have been one giant Preach-o-Rama and it wasn't. Topically, it's not a book I would have gravitated to, but something about it intrigued my daughter and I'm glad that it gave us plenty of fodder to discuss about immigration, recognizing true friends and being one, and Spanish language. As my daughter gets older and can read the book on her own, she'll pick up the subtleties that we didn't explore together, which will enrich her reading experience.

[Marlene M Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

2013-2014 Young Hoosier Award book. This is my first read from the new Young Hoosiers for 2013-2014. I chose this book because it deals with the immigration, illegal immigrants and deportation. A subject I don't feel like I take enough time to think about. The school I could potentially be working at next year is 50% Hispanic. I don't know what percentage are illegal but I have a feeling some of those kids are dealing with the very same issues Zitlally, the main character in the book is dealing with.

[Lauren]

This heartfelt book would be a great addition to any 4-6 grade classroom. Zitally (Nahuatl), Estrella (Spanish), Star (English), no matter the language you speak, you can understand the plight of the main character. Zitally's father is deported when he was pulled over for a minor traffic violation. Zitally finds two unlikely friends who help her do what she can to get her father back.

I could not help but read the first page aloud to my class. This book is beautifully written and Zitally's unique perspective of her friends and the trailer park she lives in shines.

[Nazk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book about a lonely girl and always she went to the forest it tell what the feeling inside and her sad news she was feel a painful her inside and then she try it be a better girl,good thing she got a new friend in her village and she also has same friends she was pacification with her self and then she was always worry and uncomfortable because she don't like her life also try it to represent to her self.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 13th book for OBOB 2013. It had a very original plot and was interesting from beginning to end. Another book that I'm very glad the elementary age kids are encouraged to read. I honestly wish all ages were told to read it. It portrayed illegal aliens in a very real, personal way. This doesn't seem to be done very often.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well written children's book that touches on topics such as illegal immigration and animal cruelty through the eyes of the innocent main character. At times depressingly real, the high notes of friendship, love, and blue frosting kept the story light-hearted enough to leave me and kids grades 3-5 with a smile.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hesitated purchasing this YHBA nominee for my library because the cover looks as if it's from 1992, but now I feel bad because it's a super sweet story.I'll probably spin as a dog tale to students though I secretly want them to hear Zitlally's family story of being an undocumented immigrant from Mexico. Potential read aloud

[NewFranklin School · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would make a great classroom book club book for grade 4 or 5. Lots of depth to the characters with enough going on to have great discussion. Themes of illegal immigration done very respectfully. - Ms. Patterson

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a little sad if your the kind of person who likes the books that are really happy and prefect, and then something bad has to happen and things get even worse and then it starts to clear up. This book would be really good for any dog lovers and or people lover.

[Kristen Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story about a girl who's father gets deported. This is an excellent book to discuss with children as it contains current events that are being delt with in the U.S.A.

[Talena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with Michaela and we both enjoyed it. It was a different read for us both and opened our eyes to more of our world.

[Natalia Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Star in the Forest by: Laura Resau, is a book about a girl who is trying to cope while her dad is in mexico, because he was deported, and then kidnapped. Zitally is the main character.


The way Laura wrote this book is extraordinary. I love it the way she digested it to where a younger child could easily read it without being so confused, and the small inserts of spanish just to make it seem more realistic. For example Zitally’s mother says this “‘Deportando’, she said over the phone’’(Resau 4). It gives it more culture, and its gives book flavor, and authenticity. It actually portrays how a child can cope, and handle a difficult situation like that.


Resau also inserts the fact, that Zitally doesn't exactly have the white picket fence here. She lives in an old rusty, dirty trailer park. Resau tells the story in a broken, sad ,miserable place, and manages to squeeze in joy, and happiness. Along with the sadness, and loneliness.


She brightens up the story when Zitally finds a dog in the Forest. The Forest is a small wooded area filled with trash, garbage, and a bunch of old car parts. The dog is supposed to be white, and he has a black star near his neck. He is chained to an old car hood. With years of rust, and dirt on it. His fur was brown, and matted with dirt, and mud. He was so skinny you could see the outline of his ribs. She named him star. She also brought him some food from her house.


After she started coming the “weird girl” named Crystal saw her, and kinda snuck up on her when she was with star. They became friends. Even though Zitally’s old friends didn’t like her. They thought she had a mouth infection. When in all reality she didn’t. After a few days of hanging out with star they both bonded. At first Zitally thought that star would like Crystall better, but then she remembered she was the one who saved him.


They girls bonded some more, and Zitally told her about her dad, and how they has a secret star language, and how they hunted mushrooms in Mexico when she was around five, or six. Then the next day at school Crystal told Zitally not to come to the forest until four. Zitally did what she asked. When she got there she had a mushroom hunt with Crystal. Crystal hid the mushrooms in plastic bags around the rusty old forest, and gave Zitally a bag to put them in. Zitally didn’t like the mushrooms she said they mushrooms taste like styrofoam. Resau show that Crystal really likes Zitally, and Zitally really isn't that appreciative.


The story grows a bit darker when Zitally’s mother gets a phone call from a stranger asking for ten thousand dollars in return for her husband. He has been kidnapped. This puts Zitally in a darker situation, and a few days later star goes missing. They search all over for him. The check forty houses a day both Zitally, Crystal asking if anyone knew anything about Star.


On the last day they got something. They asked at the trailer 143. A little boy said the man next door had a dog. They pounded on the door desperate for Star, they called for him. They heard a whimper from the shed. They opened the shed, he had hurt his leg. He had an old piece of torn off shirt.


They were only in there for a few minutes, and an old man came in looking for the dog. To the old man his name was Jimmy-boy. He was supposed to be a fishing dog, and he said he had put him in the forest because he kept digging holes in the yard, and the same day he had feel and hurt his shoulder. He went to the hospital, and told the nurses, but they just told him to relax.


The man was going to put him down the girls pleaded, and he let them keep him. They took him to the vet, and begged them to clean him up for no charge. They said they had no money, and no way to pay for it. The vets were nice enough to do it for free. There mom let them keep the dog but he was an outside dog, and he could only stay inside until he got better.


I love how Resua made it so the dog was their father's spirit animal. The same day Zitallys mok got a call, and it was her dad, she had sent the money, and he was free. He jumped out of a truck, and injured his shoulder. But he was in america he had crossed the borders. He was home the next day, and that's how to story ends.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the shorter modern junior novels I've read, Star in the Forest offers a lot for the perceptive reader. No matter what side of the aisle one is on when it comes to the logistics of official U.S. immigration policy, it can be very easy for many of us as natural-born American citizens to not fully understand the emotional tribulation that the families of illegal immigrants go through when they face deportation. Deserved or not, being expelled from the only country that one has ever called home has to be a profoundly troubling experience, particularly in cases when only part of a family is sent away while the rest remains, leaving the two broken halves scrambling to find suitable methods of communication with each other across the geographic gulf that separates them. The sadness of a situation like that can easily get lost in all of the political rhetoric, but the pain is all too real, and Star in the Forest doesn't let us hide from that fact.

Zitlally's birthday celebration veers off course when her father is pulled over by police in an ordinary traffic stop while he's driving to her party. Her father was only speeding, but now that he's come to the attention of law enforcement, he has much bigger worries than just a hefty fine. When the officer who stops him on the road finds out that Zitlally's father isn't a legal U.S. citizen, it is but a matter of days before he's shipped back to Mexico, where he'll have to pay a substantial cash sum to be allowed reentry at the southern border. Zitlally, her two sisters and their mother want to find a way to help him return home, but these remaining members of the family have troubles of their own. Not one of them, with the exception of Zitlally's younger sister, is an actual American citizen, so they could all be deported at any time if the police were to find out the truth about their residential status. Zitlally tries her best to complete her assignments in school and make some friends, but she doesn't have a whole lot of luck in the latter regard except with one girl, Crystal, who lives in the same trailer park as Zitlally's family. Zitlally isn't sure that Crystal is the type of girl she would really consider to be her friend, but the two of them happen across a hungry dog in the forest behind their homes, and sort of unofficially adopt the dog as their own.

Zitlally become convinced that the dog, "Star", has a real connection to her father, that their fates are somehow linked. As Zitlally's father works quickly to make the arrangements that will allow him to return home, Zitlally takes special care to protect the dog, feeling that by the same token she is also guarding her father's future. But what will she do when Star becomes lost? Could it be that her father, too, has suffered some malady?

We never find out all of the answers in this book, but Star in the Forest is a well-written and important story that justly received some modest Newbery buzz in its original year of publication. The book may have been too slight to actually succeed in nabbing one of those coveted Newbery emblems for its cover, but I definitely say that Star in the Forest is worth reading, and I would recommend it to anyone who asks. I give it an easy two and a half stars, and I very nearly rounded that rating up instead of down.

[Samantha Jones]

Zitlally’s family are illegal immigrants from Mexico who came to the US to have a better life. When Zitlally’s dad is arrested for speeding and deported back to Mexico, Zitlally begins to feel that everything in her life is falling apart. Her friends stop being her friends and her mom is working extra hours to pay for the bills. Though she ends up finding a dog that she names Star, in the junk yard by her house, and begins taking care of her with her new friend that she made in the trailer park. Zitlally believes that Star is the spirit of her father, and by taking care of Star and keeping her safe, she is doing the same for her father and her father will be safe. Later on in the book, you find out that Zitlally’s father was actually kidnapped during his journey crossing the border, and is being held for ransom during the same time that Star runs away. The two girls begin to believe that by finding Star and bringing her back they will also bring back Zitlally’s father. This story is a sweet story of family, faith and love and really captured what life is like as a child of immigrant parents and the fear that they live in daily being illegal. I think that the author did a great job laying out how Zitlally overcame her battles with her father being gone and losing her friends, and how she began believing and having faith that things were going to be ok. This book is appropriate for any grade level, and is a great book for students to learn about plot, climax etc. using a story board or a poster students can work together reading this book as a class and answering important questions about the plot etc.

Resau, L. (2012) Star in the Forest. New York City, NY: Yearling.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Young Adult Novel / Realistic Fiction

This novel is about a Hispanic family that is here in the United States illegally. The father has been arrested for a speeding ticket and departed back to Mexico so the family pays a coyote to guide him back across the border but days go on and the family receives news that their father and some others have been kidnapped and are being held of ransom. Soon after the daughter finds a dog in the forest and names it Star. As time goes on, the daughter starts to understand that Star is her father’s spirit animal and that as long as Star is safe; her father will remain safe as well. Depending on how you look at the book, as a reader you will take away one of two things from it. First, you might realize that family is all that matters and it can overcome anything thrown it the way. And all this is going on while subtly introducing socialistic issues that have been intertwined with this nation. If you don’t get this from the book, they you are bound to get this next topic. A dad is deported back to Mexico but don’t worry because the father will be back with his family from the help of an illegal coyote. Depending on how you teach this book, children will most likely understand the first one better but you might have a few that are mentally more mature then the others and bring the second into question.

Resau, Laura, and Gary Blythe. Star in the Forest. New York: Delacorte, 2010. Print.

[Adam Donald]

“Star in the Forest” starts out with Zitlally, the protagonist, having her father deported back home. After the deportation Zitlally is emotionally destroyed. She begins to stray away from her friends and withdraws within herself. Zitlally soon meets a large white dog that is tied to a broken down car in a dump. The dog is starving and for all appearances has been abandoned. Zitlally names the dog “Star” for a birthmark that he has. Zitlally starts feeding Star and nursing him back to health. Through this process she realizes that her father and Star are somehow connected to each other. Star also helps Zitlally regain some of her confidence and she starts to make friends at school again. Crystal is a strange, but sweet, little girl that Zitlally starts to become close with at school. Crystal becomes a close friend and helps Zitlally try to save both Star and her father.
Star goes missing from the car dump at around the same time her father gets kidnapped and held for ransom, strengthening the parallel between these two. Eventually Zitlally finds Star tied up in someone’s shed. It is clear the dog is being abused and she rescues him. Her father also manages to escape his captors and returns home. Both Star and Zitlally’s father return home safely and they live happily ever after.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet little story that I enjoyed so much more than Return to Sender even though maybe it was a little more sweet than necessary. I think the bit about the animal spirit might have bothered me more but maybe it really shouldn't. While it's not mentioned directly in the book, Latino/Latinas can have a different perspective toward what it real than what is commonly accepted in secular white European-American culture. Looking at the events that seem unlikely from that perspective really make the story feel more real than the sort of plot-convenience-playhouse, wouldn't-this-make-a-nice-story feel I bordered on. The story is maybe a little optimistic but I think it does well as a children's story to introduce life as a Mexican American immigrant. What I am a little afraid that my students won't understand is that this is just one sort of typical story rather than representative of reality for the many Latino/Latina immigrants here in the U.S. In fact, here in Columbus there are actually very few Mexican Americans. Instead most of the Latino/Latina people here are from other countries. Regardless, this is a book worth keeping in mind and reading more reviews on.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short novel and quick read. Zitally is a young girl whose father has been deported back to Mexico. The family are illegal immigrants. They face worrying about getting caught and sent back, being able to make rent and afford groceries. Eventually they get the money to pay for a coyote to bring the dad back across the border. Sadly he is kidnapped and bandits are now demanding ransom to release him. Meanwhile Zitally finds a dog and takes care of him while her dad is gone. She feels the fate of the dog parallels what will happen to her dad. Of course there is a happy ending.

I don't think this book gives children a true picture about how hard it is to live as an immigrant, or deals with the hardships of coming across the border. The book made it seem so easy to just find someone to help you cross over and then find your way back half way acros the country. It also made it seem easy to accumulate the funds to pay ransom or pay coyotes in crossing the border.

William Allen White nomination 2012.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short middle-grade novel about Zitlally, an undocumented fifth grader. She does well in school, and is popular with her classmates. Then one day her father is pulled over because he was speeding. The police realize he is undocumented, and arrest him. He is then deported. Zitlally's mother rents the girls' bedroom in their trailer to a couple of drywallers to help make ends meet. Because she is distracted by the problems at home, Zitlally's friends declare that she is "boring," and decide she is no longer their friend. Zitlally begins to go to the junk yard "forest" to have some time to herself. There she finds a dog, chained up and hungry, and begins to feed it. She names the Dog Star because of the markings on his coat. In the "forest," Zitlally also gets to know Crystal, a neighbor and classmate. The girls slowly become friends as they begin to trust each other. Will Zitlally's father make it back home? How is Star connected to her father?

A wonderful book for 3rd - 5th graders. It might help some children understand the immigration issues from a different perspective.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots here about family dynamics, friendship and class/economic and immigration issues.

Zitlally (Star in Aztec)'s father, an undocumented immigrant in Colorado, is stopped for speeding and then deported to Mexico. Her mother is so mad that she threatens not to send him the $$ to sneak back in (pay a coyote). Life in the trailer park gets more uncertain--they take boarders into their trailer.

Zitlally withdraws in school, and her friends think she's now boring--it was a lot of work to keep up with them--know what to wear, to say, and how.(p. 8)Zitlally just misses her dad so much--he spoke "star langauge" to her. When she finds a dog chained up in the car junkyard behind the trailer park, his company and distraction help. And she comes to believe that-- with the star on his back--he is a spirit animal for her father. If he's safe, her dad will be.

Includes vocabulary in Spanish, Aztec, a folktale and essay about immigration issues.

For kids who aren't quite ready for Shiloh--lots to discuss in only 149 pages.

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story of Zitlally, a young girl in Colorado, whose father is pulled over for speeding, found to be illegally in the U.S. and is jailed and then deported to Mexico. She finds a stray dog chained up in a local "forest" of an auto junkyard near her trailer park and befriends it, naming it Star for the black star marking on its white fur back. Besides providing her with some much needed diversion and comfort, the dog's fate seems to be wrapped up with her father's, perhaps as his special animal spiri, and that helps Zitlally plan her course of action to get her father back safely. This story shows one side of illegal immigration and its effects on the children in these families, and an afterword raises other issues for young readers to consider.

I also liked the slow building friendship with Crystal, a girl whose elaborate lies about her own life serve as her creative storytelling survival technique. Both girls have tough lives but find a way to persevere.

[Elizabeth]

An immigration story in which a young girl's father is deported back to Mexico, leaving the family to struggle on their own and the kids to miss their Dad. Zitally distances herself from her former "friends" as she processes her loss and is befriend by a girl in her trailer park who has her own sorrows and life challenges (mother has an abusive boyfriend). Not long after her father's deportation, Zitally befriends a tethered and apparently neglected dog. She comes to connect the fate of the dog with that of her father; the dog is thought to be her father's spirit animal.

A tale that spurs compassion and stresses the humanity of immigration laws from a child's perspective. Zitally's mother is hard pressed to pull things together in the Dad's absence, especially when a ransom is called in from people who have caught him coming back into the U.S.

Overall a positive tale touching on hard issues.

[Alejandra Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is About an Immigrant girl named Zitlally whose father gets deported on her birthday. She starts to drift away from her three best friends and starts showing poor performance in school. Eventually Zitlally starts developing a new friendship with a abandon stray dog she found in a junkyard and a classmate she would avoid named Crystal. Both Star and Crystal help Zitlally to be able to deal with the fact her father might never come back to the United States. Zitlally believes in a mayan myth about spiritual animals and believes Star is her father’s spiritual animal. So Zitlally makes an effort to make sure Star is okay so her father will be okay as well. I enjoyed how this book can relate to many readers. The illustration that introduces each chapter was nice to see how the characters looked like. I enjoyed the authors writing style it created good imagery in my head and kept me on my toes on what was going to happen next.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zitlally's family is undocumented immigrants from Mexico. When Zitally was a young girl in Mexico, her father told her many stories their Mexican heritage including stories about 'spirit animals'. Zitlally life is turned upside down when her father is stopped for speeding and deported back to Mexico. After paying coyotes to bring her father back across the border, he is kidnapped and held for ransom.

Meanwhile, Zitlally finds a starving dog with a star on its head in a local junkyard. Along with new friend Crystal, the two nurse this dog back to health. The three become fast friends and often spend many hours a day together. Then one day after school Star is missing and the search begins. Zitlally and Crystal try everything they could think of to try and find Star. Zitlally is convinced that Star is the 'spirit animal' that her father told her about when she was a girl. She is convinced that Star and her father's fate are intertwined.