Reviews

Book Review
Star in the Middle
by Carol Larese Millward
(Westside Books, 2009)
303 pp.

"Star realistically depicts the struggles of teen parenthood and the responsibility, stress, and stigma it brings…. Appealing to realistic-fiction fans and reluctant readers." --School Library Journal

"When Star, 15, has a baby, her boyfriend, Wilson, denies that he is the father. The voices are right-on.... Told from Star and Wilson's alternating viewpoints, the fast dialogue and inner conflicts explore questions about class, generation, and especially gender, and readers will connect easily with the story that challenges stereotypes... With its central issue of male responsibility, this is a teen pregnancy story for both sexes." --Booklist

"Star In The Middle is a complex and multifaceted story that addresses the issues of teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, responsibility, coming to terms with your mistakes and learning from them… Told through the voices of Wil and Star, you are given a direct insight into what they are thinking and experiencing. This isn't anything like the average YA material on the market. Rather, Star In the Middle provides a realistic portrayal of what happens when children have children and the complexities and heartbreak that can arise as a consequence." --AURORA

"Carol Larese Millward, in her debut novel, Star in the Middle, steps into the shoes of her protagonist, a teenage girl who finds herself caught up in crisis and conflict as she learns to be a mother to her baby son. Capturing the voices of Star and her baby's father, Wilson, in alternating chapters, Millward vividly shows the impact that an unplanned pregnancy can have on young lives.Young adults will be drawn to the realistic narrative, the right-on dialogue, the mature subject matter, and the exciting conclusion to this fine debut novel."
--Robert Garson, author of the poetry collection, Crossing the Narrows.