Superstar

Name: Superstar
Brand: Tantor Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Mandy Davis
ISBN: 9781666143843

Author: Mandy Davis

Narrator: Brian Holden

Unabridged: 6 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/28/2022

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Social Themes

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and Wonder, this uplifting debut novel from Mandy Davis follows space-obsessed Lester Musselbaum as he experiences the challenges of his first days of public school: making friends, facing bullies, finding his "thing," and accidentally learning of his autism-spectrum diagnosis.

Lester's first days as a fifth grader at Quarry Elementary School are not even a little bit like he thought they would be—the cafeteria is too loud for Lester's ears, there are too many kids, and then there's the bully.

Lester was always home-schooled, and now he's shocked to be stuck in a school where everything just seems wrong. That's until he hears about the science fair, which goes really well for Lester! This is it. The moment where I find out for one-hundred percent sure that I won.

But then things go a bit sideways, and Lester has to find his way back. A touching peek into the life of a sensitive autism-spectrum boy facing the everydayness of elementary school, Superstar testifies that what you can do isn't nearly as important as who you are.

About Mandy Davis

Mandy Davis is the author of the middle grade novel Superstar, which has been named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017 and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year. Superstar has also been nominated for the 2019 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award.

Mandy received her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Hamline University where she won an award for her critical thesis The Way to the Chair: Zen and the Practice of Writing.

Before becoming an author, Mandy was an elementary school teacher for six years and taught every grade level, except for fifth, which oddly enough is the grade she writes about in Superstar. When she's not writing, Mandy can usually be found taking pictures or playing games of some sort. She also sings at least twice a day. Mandy spent her childhood and early adult life in Indiana, and after a brief stint as a Minnesotan, she has returned to the Hoosier state where she currently writes, games, sings (and lives) with her family and their four ridiculous cats.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ryn on June 18, 2018

Public school is full of new challenges for Lester, a fifth-grader on the autism spectrum, who has been homeschooled all his life. When his mother must go back to work after the death of his father on a space mission, Lester must try to figure out all the new rules of school and how to navigate succ......more

Goodreads review by Jenna on July 29, 2019

Lester’s story was told so incredibly well. As a fifth grade teacher myself, I could relate to the situations his mother and teacher faced. Lester’s voice was insightful, and I can see a lot of my students being able to relate to his character. I can’t wait to introduce this book to my classroom lib......more

Goodreads review by Sue on October 22, 2017

Mandy Davis knows kids... knows teachers.. knows the school day and autism... I'm so glad I got to hear her speak and that she pursued becoming a writer... she's a natural... following Lester through his struggles after being home schooled to being in a fifth grade class... tough enough without his......more

Goodreads review by Anna on August 14, 2019

4.5* A delightful story of a young boy navigating Year 5 after being home schooled. Along the way, Lester accidentally finds out he is on the autism spectrum, explaining many of the quirky challenges he faces along his journey. A beautiful book that will be loved by fans of Wonder, Fish in a Tree an......more

Goodreads review by Hoover Public Library on August 05, 2017

Autism gets the unsentimentally sensitive treatment it deserves in Davis' debut. [from Kirkus Reviews]......more