This is quite an emotional read of a family trying to heal, come to terms with, and move on after a horrible tragedy strikes. Abby, the narrator, takes on so much of her family’s pain, along with her own, yet is observant and hopeful. While some of the characters may make questionable decisions, unless a reader has been in their shoes, no one can truly judge why they acted and felt the way they did. This book is dense and heavy and will give you a good cry. Well-written, raw, and emotional.

*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.* ( )

Ann Marie Stewart’s novel, Stars in The Grass, won the 2017 Christy Award for Debut Novel, and after reading it I can understand just what wowed the judges. Moving, insightful, and full of heart and heartache, this novel grabbed my imagination from the beginning. I would not characterized it as an easy read by any means, but would call it a must-read. A grieving family is the at the center with all facing a new reality with differing responses. The journey is painful, but with a whisper of hope that touched this reader. Stars in The Grass is very highly recommended.

The year is 1970 and nine year old Abby McAndrews is faced with days of love and fun with her family. That is until the unthinkable happens, leaving a gaping hole in their hearts. Abby, brother Matt, dad John, and mom Renee return to their home and begin the process of getting over what occurred. But there is no getting over a broken heart or lost dreams or a shattered family. And the grief they experience prevents them from going back or moving forward.

Stars in The Grass is told in Abby’s first person perspective. I really identified with this character for a number of reasons — I am exactly one year older than her since we share the same birthday. But it is her response to the loss of her brother that resonated with me. The losses I have experienced in my life — death of a child, loss of parents, and sudden death of my brother-in-law — were met with the same reaction as Abby. Fear. The fear of what the next day or moment could bring because life had become uncontrollable and uncertain. Stewart’s realistic portrayal of Abby and the other characters’ responses to death are so realistic that I felt the bitterness, the guilt, the anger, the fear, and the hopelessness of each. But in the end they and we can know that grief can be accompanied by hope. Was it easy for the McAndrews family (or for us)? No. But the assurance of a God who brings light even in the darkest of pits can get us through.

Easter came in the midst of the family’s grieving and Abby found the following:

My Easter was about being lost and found. It was about a Comforter. About hope and life, and the birth of a Church, and resurrecting dreams even when nobody quite knew how. But we were together and we were talking. And something about that felt — for now — almost good enough. (p. 245)

As I stated, Stars in The Grass is not an easy read, nor is it a quick one. This book is meant to be read in an unhurried manner, allowing for breaks for emotion and thought. It is an award winner for a reason. It is beautifully written with realistic and complex characters, and a subject matter that will make you think. If this is what a debut looks like, then I am eager to read more from Stewart.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Stewart tells a compelling story of a nine year old little girl and her family who must walk through a dark time in their life, and the struggles that comes with. The story is told through the eyes of nine-year-old Abby. And Stewart puts you right in little Abby's shoes. This is where a good storyteller, and a great storyteller are made.

Stewart is GREAT storyteller. You become little Abby. You feel her grief and pain, her heartache.

This is a wonderful book that allows you to discover with sensitivity the different paths that each of Abby's family members will take. The spiritual aspect of the story. And most importantly, the faith that it will take to see them all through heartbreak.

With faith in God, and allowing Him to work in their lives, they will come through their tragedy. Changed, it's true. But they will survive, and without losing hope and their trust in the Almighty.

I rate this book FIVE STARS.

I give it a BIG THUMBS UP!

And I give my personal RECOMMENDATION. ( )

Some books grab you right at the start and never let go even after the story is finished. This book is one of those. From the beginning it had me crying as I read the horrific tragedy that the McAndrews family went through. I could see the family in shock and feel their despair as a life slowing passed away. Every moment seemed like it was in slow motion as the family tried to get through each day. The author has written a story that you will not forget as you ponder questions. How would you react if you saw a family member die right before your eyes? Could you work through your grief or stay bitter for years?

I loved the way the author tells the story through the eyes of a young child. It is a chilling and emotional journey as the family tries to continue their normal routine. The father is a preacher who must deal with his faith and continue to lead his congregation. When he shuts down what will happen to his church? Can he find his way back to God? We always hear that things happen for a reason. For this family they will each grieve in different ways and perhaps find answers that will help them heal.

I don't know how I would react to a tragedy like the one in the story, but the author does an amazing job of showing us the different ways that people handle grief. Some may turn their backs on everyone while others cry out for help. The book reached deep into the emotions of a family and delivers a powerful story of faith and hope that will leave readers emotionally drained. Will the family ever be close again? Does guilt turn into bitterness? Don't miss this story from an author that has the ability to make you feel the emotions of the characters with realism.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. ( )

An amazing tale of one family's harrowing journey through loss, told from nine year old Abby's point of view. As Abby's father, Rev. MacAndrews, flounders,unable to be the anchor his family needs, his wife Reneé attempts to pull the family together. Abby wanders in a confused cloud through the days while her older teenaged brother, Matt, flirts with trouble.

With Stars in the Grass, Stewart is sure to become an author of note! Her ability to create in the reader the various,intense emotions of each family member is terrific. I cried the whole first quarter of the book. I wondered if I would be as wise as one of Abby's caring teachers. I wondered why Abby's mom would push her dad so hard at times...couldn't she see what she was doing? Would I have closed out my family like Abby's dad? In short, I felt every emotion Stewart's characters experienced and lived this year of their lives with them. What a year it was!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all opinions are solely my own. ( )