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Stars Beneath Our Feet
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother's death in this outstanding debut novel that's been described as a "fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us" by Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson. It's Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren't celebrating. They're still reeling from his older brother's death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly's mother's girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly's always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward. His path isn't clear--and the pressure to join a "crew," as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape--and an unexpected bridge back to the world. David Barclay Moore paints a powerful portrait of a boy teetering on the edge--of adolescence, of grief, of violence--and shows how Lolly's inventive spirit helps him build a life with firm foundations and open doors. Advance praise "The Stars Beneath Our Feet is the book I've been waiting for. Rarely do you see this side of New York rendered so authentically and generously. So much heart here. And so much talent." --Matt de la Pena, Newbery Award-winning author of Last Stop on Market Street "The Stars Beneath Our Feet is a fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us. David Barclay Moore is an exciting new voice. We definitely haven't heard the last of his brilliance." --Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning of Brown Girl Dreaming"The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about the weight of the world on the back of a child, and the creative tools necessary to alleviate that pressure. I found myself rooting for Lolly, and you will too." --Jason Reynolds, Coretta Scott King Honor Winner for As Brave As You
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KCofKaysville
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Not bad story of poor black boy in Harlem area who works through grief for his brother by building great lego structures. If not a movie yet, it could be.

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KCofKaysville
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Starting a YA novel that looks interesting.

29 likes1 stack add
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Bookpearl
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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And just like that, year 5 has come to an end!

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Bookpearl
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Dear Lolly,
I wish I could hug you and tell you everything will be alright. Death is not easy for adults to experience and as a young scholar I‘m sure it‘s even harder to process. Am I the only one who talks to fictional characters?

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Onceuponatime
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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I want to like this book, but I am having a hard time getting past the odd LEGO lingo! As a serious LEGO hobbyist, I‘ve never heard anyone call the sets “kits” or the instructions “blueprints.” 😂

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Skyrimir
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Still deciding on novels for this year! Finished Ghost Boys and Poet X, and onto this!

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crhealey
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Today, when virtual professional development ended early, this #teacherofLitsy headed to the bookstore for a treat! Today was my last chance to go for a while because I‘m not super comfortable going to my small local indie on the weekends because it‘s so popular and it‘s a lot of people.

Kids come back on Monday & while I have so much to do, I can do it while I‘m up at night & stressed & instead I‘ll use the daylight hours for some joy.

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natalieebloom
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Here‘s my first read of #CoronaBreak! Wow, I loved this book. It was poignant and hopeful and tense and soothing all at the same time. The characters felt so real and dimensional. I‘d love to read it with my middle schoolers. Now, let‘s see how many more books I read by the time I (hopefully) return to teaching!

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megnews
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

When you‘re rooting for the character and want to know how life turns out for him, you know the author‘s done something right.

Book 9 for #MiddleGradeMarch

TheBookHippie My son loved this book. 5y
LibrarianRyan 😁👍🏻 5y
megnews @TheBookHippie great taste! It‘s one of my favorites so far this month. 5y
Johanna414 I have this at work - to the TBR it goes! 5y
55 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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megnews
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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LibrarianRyan 👍🏻❤️ 5y
Tamra Love it! 5y
56 likes2 comments
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IDK824
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

The book is a really great book and it talks about life. The things he goes through are sad but he discovers a way to be happy again witch are legos.

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LondonXB
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

I like the book because it gives and example of what a young black male could be going through, growing up in a place full of gang violence. To focus the attention of his brother being shot and killed in a drive-by shooting elsewhere, the main character plays video games and playing with legos with his new friends from his new school.

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MelissaSue81
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion ahead! This book really didn‘t work for me. This is likely coming from my own privilege but I don‘t want my 10 year old reading a book where a tween gets a gun and plots to kill someone who attacked them. The main story was okay, if a bit unbelievable, but there were so many peripheral stories and characters, I couldn‘t keep track of it all. #booked2019 and #readharderchallenge diverse middle grade/diversity award winner.

rretzler I can totally understand that. It‘s hard to pick important books for kids that send the right message in the right way. 5y
47 likes1 comment
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Jacki_Reads
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

I will definitely be recommending this to students! Something that struggling readers would LOVE — this book is about a kid who lives in the projects in New York. He is struggling with his brother‘s murder, his neighborhood and his family. Feeling alone, he turns to art with LEGOS and makes an amazing friend along the way. I can‘t wait to get a few more copies for my students! “The decisions you make can become your life. Your choices are you.”

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Eggs
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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🎶 I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice🎶

Will Lolly be a constructive force, or will he join the “crew” for protection?

#roar #amonthofsongs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 This is a really good book! 5y
Eggs Agreed! 5y
65 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Chelleo
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Haven‘t been able to find anything that really pulls me in so I‘m checking this one out. #currentlylistening #audiocommute #audiodriving #readdiversebooks #weneeddiversebooks #ownvoice #pocauthors #blacklitsy #blitsy

MaureenMc I recently listened to this audio, too. Great story, and I really liked the narrator. 5y
Louise How was it? 5y
Chelleo @Louise I put it down. It was slow moving and I just couldn‘t get into it. I‘ll revisit it soon. 5y
Louise Thanks. 👍 5y
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Eggs
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Wallace lives in the PJs (the projects) and carries a big rock in his chest churning with grief, anxiety, and fear. But his Lego towers and his love of architecture help give him some flow...

lauren.lerner Oh wow. 6y
Soozee I just finished this. 6y
BookNightOwl Sounds good 6y
99 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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UnabridgedPod
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

David Barclay Moore's The Stars Beneath Our Feet is a gorgeous, middle-grade read. Protagonist Lolly, who lives in Harlem with his mom and her girlfriend Yvonne, is grieving after the shooting death of his brother, Jermaine. Lolly finds strength in a few places: his friend Vega is his constant companion, and his Lego creations provide an outlet for his imagination. (continued in comments)

UnabridgedPod Through Lolly's journey, he faces down bullies; comes to know Big Rose, an outcast who joins the after-school program; and endeavors to build a huge new realm with Legos Yvonne brings him from the toy store where she works. This is one of those quiet, beautiful books that it's hard to summarize because it's the small details that make it so strong and that impact the reader so much. I highly recommend Moore's book! 6y
Freespirit Great review! 6y
UnabridgedPod @Freespirit Thanks! ❤️ 6y
10 likes3 comments
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OriginalCyn620
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! It‘s a touching story of a 12-year-old Harlem boy trying to survive among the gangs and violence in his neighborhood after suffering a loss, and thankfully, he finds a creative outlet. Some beautiful writing throughout! #lmpbc #round4

Victoriahoperose Loved this one too. It was my favorite ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
64 likes1 comment
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OriginalCyn620
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Starting this one for #lmpbc...the last one of #round4!

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Victoriahoperose
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Sending this out tomorrow or Saturday to @OriginalCyn620 ! Can‘t wait to hear what everyone thought. I honestly loved this. So far, my favorite one out of all the ones we read. Can‘t wait for the last one!

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Bookish_AF
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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#LMPBC #GroupC

@cwarnier I received your book today! It possibly was sitting at the post office for days because I haven‘t been home... but I have it now!

@Victoriahoperose I plan on sending mine out to you tomorrow!

cwarnier @whippoorwill815 Hope you enjoy it. I started my 2nd book today and am enjoying it. 6y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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cwarnier
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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This book will be sent off this week. Hope you enjoy @whippoorwill815
Each of you will get one of these fun paper clips books marks.
@OriginalCyn620
@Victoriahoperose
#groupc
#lmpbc

Victoriahoperose Love it!!! 6y
Bookish_AF Ahh I love this! I‘m so excited 😊 6y
OriginalCyn620 So cute! 6y
17 likes1 stack add3 comments
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cwarnier
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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lowellette
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

A Harlem kid has to make life-defining choices while also building LEGO towers. Loved the points of view in this book.

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ambam1987
Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Adding this one! 6y
13 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Campbrarian
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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“The decisions you make can become your life. Your choices are you.”

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Deborah42
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

A tween boy grieving the death of his brother. He‘s facing pressure in the neighborhood to join a gang, but just wants to hang out with his friends and build legos. I loved that his mom is a lesbian, but that‘s just his life, rather than a source of conflict. The after school program where he meets Rose felt very realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed their weird friendship.

Lolly is dealing with some tough choices and finding his way in the world.

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Spanish_Broom
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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ambam1987
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

“It all started with two garbage bags full of LEGOS.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Ok, that intro line sounds awesome! Love legos! 7y
ambam1987 Upon further research I‘ve discovered this could be hitting the big screen in the near future! #pagetoscreen (edited) 7y
22 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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ReadingSusan
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Love this cover! Enjoyed the book.

124 likes3 stack adds
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ReadingSusan
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Loving this book! Enjoying it with a delicious gyro and fries.

ferskner WHOA 7y
TheBookStacker Omg that looks so good 7y
cocomass That looks good 😋 7y
GripLitGrl Looks deelish!😋 7y
134 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Really great, kinda wish I hadn't done the audiobook cause I know I missed some things. But holy crap a kid dealing with a lot of grown-up things. Also: really great to see representation of queer people of colour in a middle grade book (the main character's mom is a lesbian). #AwesomeAudiobooks #MiddleGrade #BlackBooks #QueerBooks

34 likes3 stack adds
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Gnora
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Good books and my favorite tea! Cozy afternoon. ☕️📚#MiddleGradeLit #AwardWinning

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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Really clear kid's voice in this so far. Also they were talking about mac and cheese and cherry cobbler, which made me so hungry I stopped at the store and bought both (although I had to settle for cherry pie). #BlackBooks #AwesomeAudiobooks

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AmandaFields
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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I picked up a couple ARCs at #MLA17AC today, and I'm really excited about The Stars Beneath Our Feet! I want to offer the kids at my library books they can relate to, not books that treat them like they need to be sheltered from anything remotely difficult

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Zbayardo
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

The voice was everything in this read. From the first chapter I could clearly hear it and loved it. A boy tries to deal with the loss of his brother and the troubles of living in the projects. His love of legos and building help him cope. He builds LEGO cities and thinks up of creative stories to go with them! Writing teachers!!!! I see a fun writing activity with legos here! Great read for 4th and up.

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Librarylady
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

I loved this middle grade novel. Lolly is grieving the loss of his older brother, Jermaine, who was killed as a result of gang violence. It is through building with Legos that Lolly finds his way out of his grief as he tries to navigate life in the projects while taking a different path than his brother.

23 likes2 stack adds
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BethFishReads
The Stars Beneath Our Feet | David Barclay Moore
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Pickpick

Amazingly powerful look at the life of a 12-year-old boy grieving over the death of his older brother, who was a victim of gang violence. I don't proclaim to know what it's like to live in the projects in Harlem, but Moore's debut novel gave me a glimpse. For audiobook fans, Nile Bullock's performance is near-perfect. More on my blog today http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/09/stacked-up-book-thoughts-2-great.html?m=1

58 likes3 stack adds