Customer Reviews

Star in the Storm

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this book for my son. We have roots in Newfoundland, and I thought this book would help bring our heritage to the fore. Yes, it did. He read the book with great enthusiasm. I read the book because he recommended it. It is a treasure. We both loved the plot. Sirius, is a true hero, as is Maggie. It is wonderful to read a book that generates a feeling of love and devotion, and faith. There is a deep and meaningful moral to this story, rare in the nature of middle grade reading material. There is a wealth of history, and a true feeling of the culture of Newfoundland...the remoteness, the charm, and the mystery surrounding this land of isolation and beauty. We both HIGHLY recommend this book, for adult readers as well as middle grade readers... For others, who have young adult readers who are moved by books of a classic and meaningful nature, I highly recommend this book, and my son does as well!...

Because I've read rave reviews of Star in the Storm, (and some of the "disappointing" reviews here on Amazon) I read the story with a a critical eye. I found myself drawn into a beautifully crafted story with one main character which made the book easy-to-read and focused for the age level. The historical aspects and descriptions of Newfoundland are fascinating and undoubtedly accurate. The dog is a lovable and loyal companion. My students are totally engrossed in the book and I can see why it has nominated and won so many awards, including many states' "Readers' Choice." (Here in Michigan 4th and 5th graders have chosen STAR IN THE STORM as their favorite book -- hands down!) This book is exciting with cliffhangers ending each chapter which encourages young readers to keep on reading! More importantly it shows a child making a self-sacrificing descision. Children will grow and identify with this unselfish girl and they will cheer as she makes the right choices. I'm reading Ms. Harlow's JOSHUA'S SONG now and while it is different from STAR IN THE STORM, it is another well-crafted story with an intruging protagonist who must make hard choices, too. Writing is an art, and these books are works of art in every sense.

This amazing story takes place on an island of little mercy. A young girl named Maggie Wells is faced with the the challange of living here evreyday. Life is made much easier though by her wonderful Newf dog Sirius. The dog helps keep the family warm in the winter by pulling heavy logs across the frozen ground for the fire and he helps Maggie's father catch fish in the summer. Maggie knows Sirius is her best friend so when a law is passed to get rid of non-shepearding dogs like Sirius Maggie is determend to keep him hidden and safe. But when a ship crashes into the icebergs of Newfoundlan with 100 passengers a board the circumstances change. The rescue crews can't get to the boat because of the huge waves. Maggie knows that only Sirius can make the long swim out to the boat to get a saftey rope to them. But would bringing her dog out of hidding mean the death of him.
This was one of the best books I've read in my life I could not put it down. As a result I was up all night. The book was just awesome

A comparison to Hyland's "Wreck of the Ethie" is unavoidable since this book uses the details of the 1919 shipwreck (although author Joan Hiatt Harlow sets the disaster in 1912). Differences abound, however, in Harlow's additions of relationship complexities and her drawing class and cultural tensions between various groups of islanders. The book reveals a great deal about life for fishermen on the island of Newfoundland and of the immigrant Irish culture. The book would probably be meant for a slightly older audience than "Wreck of the Ethie" because of the various group tensions, but I actually feel the this book does not do as good a job depicting the shipwreck (perhaps because the point of view is solely from the shore rescuers whereas the "Ethie" offers both points of view). Excellent cover art and good prose.

In Newfoundland in 1912, twelve-year-old Maggie Wells loves her dog, Sirius, as does the rest of the Wells family. But spiteful Tamar Rand, daughter of the wealthiest and most powerful man in the tiny town of Bonnie Bay, hates both Maggie and Sirius. So Tamar tells her father that Sirius was responsible for the death of one of the Rands' sheep. Mr. Rand decides Sirius must be shot, and uses his influence to convince the authorities that Sirius is a menace. So Maggie decides to hide her dog, unable to bear him either being killed or sent away. When a ship begins to sink off the island, however, Sirius is the only one who can bring a line through the water to the ship. Maggie knows it's the right thing to do, but will revealing her dog risk his life? I highly recommend this novel to young readers who enjoy historical fiction or stories about dogs. It brings the place and time to life and has a really sweet story about a girl and her bond with her dog.

Maggie and her friend get in a fight.Maggie's best friend thinks
that Maggie's dog Sirius caused her best friends lamb to fall off the cliff and die.But later in the book Maggie's best friend and her dad are standing outside waiting on the boat,
which the dads other daughter is on with her new born baby.But the boat see's an iceburg blocking the harbor.They could wreak
and it would kill evrybody.But something else happens.Read it and find out.I liked the part where Maggie's best friend and her dad decide not to hurt Sirius.I did not like the part where they were going to hurt Sirius.

What would happen if your dog has been outlawed? If you like that sentence you should read Star in the Storm by Jhoa Hiatt Harlow.
In Newfoundland a girl named Maggie and her beloved dog Sirius was going to be killed but Maggie could not let that happen so she hides him in a cove where he wont be found. When Maggie finds out about the steamer that has crashed by the bay she knows Sirius can save them but does he have enough courage to save them and himself?
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because there was so much non-stop action so you should get a copy now.

I think Star in the Storm is one of the best books I have ever read. It is about a girl named Maggie who owns a non-sheepherding dog named Sirius. After a shhep incident though, a law is made to shoot any dogs who don't herd sheep. It is full of suspense, sad moments and happy moments. For example a sad moment is when a sheep who was about to give birth died along with her baby. Star in the STorm is a historical fiction based on the early 1900s when one dog saved 100 passengers on a steamer even when the remains of an awful storm were going on. This book shows that if you keep trying you can succeed. I would recommend Star in the Storm to every kid and adults to. I rate This book 5 stars because it was so interesting I read 108 pages in 1 night. If you ever read this book( Which I hope you will) I am sure you will love it.

The book I reviewed is Star in the Storm.The auther is Joan HiattHarlow. This book is realistic fiction and is based on a true story. This book does not have that many pages. It has 150 pages.
This book takes placein Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland. It all started when a law was passed that only sheep dogs were allowed. A girl named Maggie had a dog that was not a sheep dog. Maggie tried to hide her dog. Then a ship gets stuck out at sea, Maggie knows her dog can safe them but will Maggie let him?

I personally liked this book because it was about dogs and I love dog books. This book also really cought my attention. In this book something is always happening. I recommend this book to a middle school reader and to someone who really likes dog a lot. This book will keep a reader engrossed from start to finsh. Read this amazing book Star in the Storm!

I read a very special book today about the love shared between a girl and her Newfoundland Dog. The part he played in a dramatic rescue of passengers between ship and shore during a terrible storm. The stories, which were skilfully blended into the plot, shows the Author to be completely familiar with Newfoundland folklore. This is a Saga which will delight young and old alike. This book is well worth a read.