From the back flap: "The Month of the Brittle Star is more than just a charming story by a gifted writer. The very words 'brittle star" - a shining thing easily broken - have a meaning other than that of a starfish. The story is a study in loyalty in which the indecision and struggle of a girl on the brink of adolescence are skilfully shown. And although the island setting and the time is of an unhurried era that has passed in New Zealand, the people are realistically drawn, warm, and very human. Once again, too, the author indicates her sympathetic awareness of how fleeting is the period of youth."
We have already reviewed Soper's first book, 'Young Jane" written in 1955. This second book is written nearly twenty years later during Soper's retirement. Her writing style has changed. You are drawn more into the surroundings and the characters are well-developed.
We are taken to Stewart Island for a summer vacation. Clair, who is just an adolescent, is staying with relatives for the holidays. She makes a friend with a cousin and that friendship is tested when another girl her age comes to the island.
The descriptions of Stewart Island are beautiful and there are lovely black and white line drawings by Ione Todd throughout.
It's an enchanting innocent story about friendship, holidays, swimming, adolescence, and family. I highly recommend this book to girls from 10 years old. There are no areas of concern.
A little about the author - Eileen Soper. We should not get her confused with the English Eileen Soper who illustrated the Enid Blyton books! Eileen Soper was a journalist and writer and was known as "Dot" and did children's book reviews for the Otago Witness and later the Otago Daily Times. She wrote two children's books, "Young Jane" and "The Month of the Brittle Star". Her full biography is here.