The Name of Star by Maureen Johnson is set in present day London, England during a particular turbulent time for the city. There is a copy cat Jack the Ripper on the loose, one that is has incredible attention to detail; copying the manner and locations of each murder. It is at this time that Rory arrives at Wexford, from New Orleans, to start her senior year of High School and first year at boarding school. Wexford is right in the middle of Ripper territory and Rory and her friends begin to speculate about the murders, but no one could have guessed that Rory would become an integral part of the Ripper case.
The Name of Star is such an amazing book. I had a hard time putting it down; I needed to know what was going to happen to Rory. Maureen Johnson did a wonderful job writing this story. The plot is intriguing with many twists that, I admit, I could not even dream were coming. I love the way that Maureen was able to weave the trials of being a teenager with the terrors of having a Ripper on the loose. And it is also great the way that she is able to convey the feelings of a teenage girl in this situation without going over the top.
It is fitting that I read this book leading up to Halloween, as The Name of Star is thrilling and frightening. However, this is a young adult novel and never once was I creeped out enough to lose sleep over this story. I feel like I have learned something new about London and its history, and I also really want to visit the city in this story even more after reading about it. I definitely recommend The Name of the Star to youth and adults alike, it’s story is one that, I believe, anyone will find interesting. Please support Maureen Johnson; she truly is an amazing author.
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Sorry, I’ve watching Canada’s Walk of Fame ceremony as I write, and they just presented the award for Dr. Roberta Bondar. I was, honestly, almost in tears. If you don’t already know Dr. Roberta Bondar is the first Canadian woman to travel into space, and you really should look up her story, it’s amazing! Dr. Bondar is such an inspiration, and after listening to her acceptance speech I feel like I could do anything. Now this is someone who deserves a star on the walk of fame.
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