The Star That Always Stays
by Anna Rose Johnson
National Geographic Books 2022
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- identity and heritage
- assimilation and prejudice
- family and blended families
- friendship
- resilience
- coming of age
- culture and tradition
- faith and values
About this book
Norvia, a bright Ojibwe girl from Beaver Island, moves to a Michigan city in the early 1900s and is urged to hide her heritage to fit in. Between a new school, a changing family, and first friendships, she leans on stories from home and the classic books she loves to find her voice. Gentle humor and heartfelt moments balance serious questions about identity and belonging. Ideal for middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, hopeful heroines.
Setting: northern Michigan (Beaver Island and a mainland city), early 1900s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Star That Always Stays right for my child?
Yes — The Star That Always Stays is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.6, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include identity and heritage, assimilation and prejudice, family and blended families.
How long does it take to read The Star That Always Stays?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Star That Always Stays takes around 6.9h to finish. The book has 68,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Star That Always Stays have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Star That Always Stays has an AR quiz available, worth 9 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Star That Always Stays?
The Star That Always Stays has an AR reading level of 5.6, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.