Book Review — A Pocketful of Stars

This beautiful tale weaves a magical path to and from the past.

Safiya dances between two worlds as she ‘meets’ her mother as a young teen living in Kuwait. This allows Safiya to grow a deeper bond with her mother. However, as these dreams occur when her mother is ill, they also help Safiya to understand and ‘meet’ the illness.

So the story is magical, beautiful and also, bittersweet. I thought of ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness.

Safiya not only has struggles around her family tragedy, but around friendships. Her friendship group shifts and changes as each grows in a different direction. This theme felt very real and resonated with me.

I loved the strong, alive characters (even the one in a coma!) and the richness of the scenes. The author brought settings to life, from hospital rooms to an enchanting house and courtyard in Kuwait.

I thought of the themes of these books as ‘stars’. The healing and bonding of daughter and mother. The slow facing and acceptance of illness. The changing of friendships as we grow. The embracing and learning about one’s heritage. Magic and imagination. Even gaming! Somehow these stars are all linked together in harmony, forming a beautiful constellation.

And bonus! The author, Aisha Bushby, offers a free reading from Chapter 1.