Stars Above

April 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-In this short story collection, recommended to those who have already read the author's Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter, readers will be delighted to learn more about the history of their favorite "Lunar Chronicles" characters. Each of the nine entries provides further context, characterization, and world-building to the popular, best-selling series. The introductory stories show how baby Princess Selene ends up in the care of Scarlet's grandmother and describe her early life with the Linh family. From there, readers witness Z taken from his Lunar home as a child to fight in Queen Levana's wolf army, and then peek into Carswell's childhood as he uses his charm to persuade his classmate to tutor him in math. Readers will sympathize with Cress and the shells who are forced to donate blood for Lunar research, and then cheer Princess Winter on in her battle to keep her sanity while refusing to use her gift. The final tale takes place two years after Winter and begins with the group reuniting in France for Scarlet and Wolf's wedding. With the monarchy abolished on Luna and peace between Luna and Earth on its way, this collection ends with a happily ever after for everyone. VERDICT This companion title will not disappoint fans and will make a worthy addition to libraries where the "Lunar Chronicles" are popular.-Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2016
Grades 7-10 Did you ever wonder what Cinder's childhood was like as a cyborg? How Scarlett came to live with her grandmother, and what exactly was the connection between Scarlett, her grandmother, and Cinder? Meyer reveals these backstories and more in her latest Lunar Chronicles volume. More short stories than seamless story line, this collection answers those niggling questions readers inevitably asked themselves as they read each of Meyer's fairy tale riffs. Winter's scarred face and refusal to use her glamour? Cress' isolation on the Lunar satellite? Even Iko's transformation from discarded android to Cinder's best friend? All is revealed. Whether to read at least some of these as an introduction to each novel or wait to savor them after reading the series is debatable; reader satisfaction, however, is not. Meyer ties up the loose ends in a final happily-ever-after story that allows all the good onesEarthens, Lunars, androids, and cyborgs alikea chance at peace, love, and a well-deserved happy ending. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Just when the insanely popular Lunar Chronicles looked finished, this piecemeal, but still quite weighty, book will pull readers right back in.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
Devoted fans will gobble up these nine short stories (five previously unpublished) featuring many of the series' characters. Most of the entries are prequels to existing story lines, filling in the backstories of Cinder, Wolf, Thorne, et al.; the final story, "Something Old, Something New," takes readers beyond the events of the final book, culminating in a fan-pleasing royal engagement.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)