Set in the 1860s, Hester, the main character, leads
a brilliant cast that spotlights the gifts and abilities of females, how these
were forcefully suppressed by themselves and others due to their gender, and the tremendous difficulties they encountered
to be able to use their gifts to forge a place for themselves in the world.
Hester’s dad is missing, presumed dead at sea.
Her mother died giving birth to the twins.
Now orphans, to save them from the poor house, the siblings have no choice but to go to their unmarried Uncle Henry, a rope-maker, who is overjoyed at having acquired free labour for his business.
The children are quickly taken out of school and put to work.
Joyce, the eldest, is allocated the housekeeping and raising the twin babies.
Horace is apprenticed to Henry, and Hester is
given the task of making cats-of-nine-tails, for the Chandler.
Hester is a strong-minded, problem-solver;
resourceful, observant and clever. She refuses to accept her father is dead and
harbors a longing to go in search of him. For this to occur, she must learn
more than she knows about navigation of the stars.
When an unusual opportunity arises for her to learn
what is needed, a sequence of events follow that allow her to set her
plans in motion.
Life has its own plan for Hester. She constantly encounters
obstacles in the form of underhanded people; their choices and actions.
But Hester is courageous. What seems impossible,
she believes, might just be possible.
Catherine Norton has created a riveting read which involves the movement of the planets and stars, entwined with lots of interesting and exciting events. Capturing the language, customs and habits of the Victorian era, the writing’s authentic atmosphere draws the reader in and holds them fast.
Title: Hester Hitchins and the Falling Stars
Author: Catherine Norton
Publisher:Harper Collins, $ 22.99
Publication Date: 31July 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781460763179
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction