The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza – Book Review
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Title: The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars Author: Shivaun Plozza Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers Release Date: November 17, 2020  |
In the land of Ulv, a long-ago myth claims a wolf ate the Stars, ridding the land of all magic. Now, shadow creatures stalk the starless nights, forcing all who live there to stay inside – to stay in the light. Twelve-year-old Bo has heard the stories, but like everyone else, does not put much stock in the tales. That is until a wolf attacks his guardian, Mads. When Mads takes his last breaths, he sends Bo on a quest to find three keys and release the Stars back to the sky. As magic returns to Ulv and panic spreads, Bo sets off to do the impossible. On the way, he is joined by Tam, a bird-woman bound to protect him, Selene, who newly possesses magic, and Nix, his beloved pet fox. While the group races to solve riddles and collect keys, they realize they aren’t the only ones after the stars. Bo and company must fight against villagers, a greedy trader, and the dangerous Shadow Witch. The odds are stacked against them. It will take more than luck to succeed; it will take the power to be true to yourself, a special magic all its own.
The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza is a thrilling adventure. Plozza deftly creates a magical world full of fantastical creatures and people and wastes no time immersing readers in that setting. Such a powerful and engaging start will keep readers turning pages to the end. The diverse cast of characters, both in form and skin color, contributes to Ulv’s intrigue and mythical mood. No character is without flaws, grounding the action-packed tale in real-world believability. When the author explores these vulnerabilities, the descriptive prose sometimes struggles to find its footing and purpose. These instances slow the dramatic pace of the journey, providing a respite for some readers or an obstacle for others. Still, Plozza’s world-building abilities shine with the inclusion of the True History of Ulv chapters. These brief insights help bring Ulv and its past to life, offering helpful context about people, places, and things throughout the rest of the novel. The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars will excite, shock, and awe every reader that desires a mythical, magical hero’s journey adventure.
Middle grade students and teachers will delight in The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars. It presents the perfect opportunity to delve into the hero’s journey, either as a standalone anchor text or as part of literature circles. Couple the novel with a narrative writing unit focused on fantasy, and students will be inspired to create worlds of their own through words. At the very least, middle grade students will enjoy Bo’s tale and transformation, getting lost in Uly’s unique story and finding the power that comes from seeing the force that follows from being your unique, true self.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, HMH Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this book.
Classroom Applications
- Book Pairing – Pair the book with another novel that follows the classic hero’s journey.
- Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of the hero’s journey.
- Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading mythical fiction or fantasy.
Nonfiction Connections
The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.
- Hero’s Journey
- Myths about the Stars
Book Companions
The following are great books to pair with The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.
- When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller (Character Connections, Themes, Novel Structure)
- The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (Character Connections, Themes, Novel Structure)
- Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night (Character Connections, Themes, Novel Structure)
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