Starry, Starry Night

Okay, so let me start out by saying that I have never written a blog before in my life. Unless my writing is for an important paper or e-mail, I tend to write like I would talk so please bear with me!



So I never read Lurlene McDaniel when I was growing up; in fact, I didn't know who Lurlene McDaniel was until Kerry and Christine were telling me all about these books that made them cry when they were growing up. Coming of age stories dealing with tough issues surrounding death...doesn't really sound like my cup of tea.



It was insisted that I read at least one Lurlene McDaniel book, so I chose Starry, Starry Night- Three Holiday Stories. My reason for choosing this book was because it was three stories that took place around Christmas and it is my favorite holiday (and not because of Santa and presents). The cover of the book has a young girl staring at the North Star. The North Star has such a deep meaning for me and I thought I would give this book a try.



The book starts out with a Prologue and goes through the rhyme most kids grow up saying when they wish on stars. "Star Light Star Bright, First Star I See Tonight, Wish I May, Wish I Might, Have the Wish I Wish Tonight." I remember saying this phrase over and over as a child...I may have even said it last week. So this began my journey into three stories, about three different girls on different paths of life...all ending in tears.



Throughout the three stories I came to meet three different young women in three very different situations. I met Melanie, a 15 year old whose parents are having an unplanned baby; Brenda, a young woman caught between dating the boy of her dreams or fulfilling the dreams of a new friend; finally, I met Kathy, a 17 year old who seems to have the perfect life, but is in the process of making the most important decision of her life.

The young woman I seemed to connect with the most was Brenda. Brenda gives up her dream date to the winter dance, to help a new friend attend his first and last dance before he passes away from cancer. While I don't feel comfortable going into great detail, I will say that I attended a senior prom with a childhood friend who suffered from developmental delays from an underdeveloped brain due to a birth defect of his skull. Unlike Brenda, I didn't hesitate in my response when I agreed to attend his prom. We didn't go to the same school, so I knew none of his friends and was uncomfortable most of the night because I knew this night meant more to him than it did to me. While reading this story, I cried because I knew the outcome with Brenda's friend. I am happy to say that my friend is alive, despite doctors stating he would never make it to the age of 20.

While these stories did make me cry and I was extremely emotional throughout the book, I can see how young women would relate to these stories and how young woman would identify with the characters and heal in certain situations. I think that if I would have read this book at the appropriate age, I would probably read more of her books. I think Lurlene McDaniel is the Nicholas Sparks for young girls (side note, I refuse to read his books because I cry too much).

Overall, I would recommend Lurlene McDaniel books to young girls, just make sure that tissues are on hand and be ready to process afterwards!