Star Girl to Jess –
5 things you need to know about Valentina:
1. She can’t stand mess. The room has to be like really perfect.
2. She doesn’t think I should be here.
3. She thinks she’s the best. So what if she’s the highest-scoring space cadet?
4. She doesn’t like me/
5. It’s like she rules everyone and everything.
Addie L
Adelaide (who prefers to be called Addie) has just arrived to join the SEAS Space Agent Program. She started later than all the other recruits, having to wait for a place to become available. So she feels she’s playing catchup. And her roommate, Valentina, is determined to make her feel that she shouldn’t be there. Addie loves the Space Station though and is looking forward to her first mission. Unfortunately, when that chance comes, her partner is Valentina, who definitely doesn’t want her along. In fact she’s determined to make sure Addie fails her part of their mission. Planet Polare’s ice is melting and it’s up to the two girls to discover what’s causing it and to fix it.
New Girl is the first story in the Star Girl series. It’s designed for 7-10 year old readers, particularly adventurous girls. These girls still experience friendship, jealousy and competition but rather than the setting be somewhere mundane like a normal school, they are on a space station and their assignments are very exciting and potentially dangerous. Illustrations are scattered throughout to break up the text and there are diagrams of some very special gadgets too. Gadgets are stylish as well as functional, to appeal to fashion-aware girls. In this episode, Valentina is grumpy and foolish, but Addie still tries to see the best in her. Addie is smart and accommodating, but would prefer to be sharing a room with someone more like her. Recommended for newly independent readers and girls who like to mix fashion with their space travel!
Star Girl: New Girll, Louise Park
Macmillan 2011
ISBN: 9781420290295
review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
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