Star Crossed by Julia Denos (review)

Correction

Eridani is a young human student of the stars, while Acamar is “more of a constellation than a boy,” but nonetheless the two are best friends. They talk each night, but they’d love to be closer together; Eridani wonders what it would be like to experience life in the sky with Acamar, while Acamar wants to be walking in the sand along with Eridani. They wish on stars—Eridani on Acamar, and Acamar on the stars in Eridani’s eyes—but wishing magic is a fickle thing, and instead of bringing the together it swaps them around. While they’re initially sad about the consequences of their wish, Eridani soon exults in being a constellation and Acamar happily takes Eridani’s place as a student. The story is on the ethereal side, but the fantastical flavor is pleasing, and the wish gone wrong yet also right is an enticing concept that will be novel to many listeners. Denos’ mixed media art is dazzling, a soaring visual contrast to her earthbound tidiness in Windows (BCCB 9/17) in a star-spattered palette that emphasizes azure and lilac; Eridani’s olive complexion and the classical design motifs comfortably place this in any number of possible real (or fictional) locations. This would pair effectively with Grace Lin’s pourquoi tale A Big Mooncake for Little Star (BCCB 7/18) or partner interestingly with an early biography of Maria Mitchell, Neil deGrasse Tyson, or other astronomers for an exploration across the ages of how people have investigated the skies. A note explains more about the constellation of Eridanus and directs audiences to star-relevant websites.