Gus and the Starlight is written by Victoria Carless. I would like to thank Harper Collins for a review copy.

BLURB

Gus doesn’t want to make friends. She also doesn’t want to be intrigued by the cat-lady teacher at her new school, or the Riley’s Comet project that she and her seaweed-eating science partner are working on together.

And she definitely doesn’t want to fall in love with her job as the projectionist at the Starlight, a drive-in movie theatre that her family is reviving.

Because, knowing Gus’s luck, she and her family should be moving on in a day, or a week, or a month. When the ghosts that haunt Mum catch up with them. Or it the Starlight doesn’t succeed.

Then she’ll have to say goodbye. Again.

And saying goodbye is too hard.

REVIEW

I was surprised that I loved this book. It isn’t my typical read and not one I would’ve picked for myself but it is an unexpected gem. This book would be perfected for late primary (Year 5 and 6) and students in high school.

The main character Gus (Augusta) is lonely, brave, intelligent, responsible and thoroughly likeable. We gained insight into the family dynamic as well as ghosts appearing.

Definitely a read aloud for teachers.

4/5 stars