A Star Shines Through
A Star Shines Through by Anna Desnitskaya is a poignant picture book published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company in 2024. This 40-page edition, written in English, presents a narrative centered on a young refugee’s experience of displacement and the quest to create a sense of home in a new environment. Through heartfelt storytelling and evocative illustrations, the book explores themes of loss, adjustment, and the healing power of hope.
Readers will find a touching account of a family’s journey following the onset of war, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a different culture and the emotional weight of leaving one’s home behind. The narrative emphasizes the importance of friendship and social skills as the child navigates this new reality. With a vivid palette of blues and yellows, Desnitskaya illustrates how art can foster resilience and connection, making this book a meaningful exploration of geography and cultures for young readers.
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School Library Journal Best Books Best Picture Books List (2024)
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books About Families List (2024)
“Straightforward, heartfelt words and thin-lined, fully imagined drawings from Desnitskaya (On the Edge of the World) give tender voice to one child’s refugee experience.” — Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)
“Encouraging empathy and understanding, this illuminating picture book offers a realistic account of finding oneself in a new place and shines a light on the healing power of hope.” — Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
“A beautiful tale of loss and adjustment; for those who have never had to leave home, perhaps a lesson in insight and empathy. Highly recommended.” — School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
“Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic.” — Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
A poignant story about a displaced family making a home in the aftermath of war.
We used to live in a big city. In our apartment window was a star-shaped lamp, shining through the cold. I could recognize home from far away. But then the war began, and we left for another country. Everything is different here–the food, the language, even Mom and me. Today Mom bought us a package of scissors, glue, and cardboard. Can we make this place feel a little more like home?
Narrated by a young refugee, A Star Shines Through is based on the experiences of the author-illustrator, who left Russia with her family after the start of the Ukraine War. With an evocative palette of blues and yellows, Anna Desnitskaya shows how making art can create a sense of hope, even amidst emigration and resettling.
Spirituality & Practice The Best Spiritual Books List (2024)
Foreword Reviews INDIES Book of the Year Award in Picture Books, Early Reader Finalist (2024)
Cooperative Children’s Book Center CCBC Choices List – Picture Books (2025)
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