Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for The Brightest Star. Today, I’m excited to be sharing a Question & Answer post with the author, Meg Grehan alongside my review.
Q & A with Meg Grehan
1. Did you enjoy poetry when you were at school and, if so, who were the poets you enjoyed, or who influenced you, growing up – and as an adult?
I did, I loved it! I did speech and drama all through my childhood and teenage years and poetry was a huge part of that. I wrote and performed poetry competitively and it meant the world to me. Back then I was a huge fan of anthologies, I didn’t really have many favourite poets but did have a lot of favourite poems. As an adult I harbour a real obsession with Emily Dickinson and have a long list of poets who inspire, influence and motivate me. Heather Christle, K. Iver, Mary Oliver, Sylvia Plath, Ada Limon, Mary Jean Chan, Jack Underwood, Natalie Wee, Rosamund Taylor, Ocean Vuong… the list is endless.
2. This novel is written in free verse with Stevie and Andrew’s viewpoints aligned differently on the page. Is there a reason why you have chosen free verse to tell their stories?
Free verse is my favourite way to write! It feels so true to me, every word is so purposefully chosen and placed. It’s a wonderful way to write but also a wonderful way to read. It’s so helpful for reluctant readers and so much more accessible than it may seem at first. There’s a real beauty to verse, you get to use the whole page, even the white space. The possibilities are endless and I find that really fun.
3. The Brightest Star is a perfect title for this story with its double meaning. Can you explain your thinking behind this title?
I really wanted something that would feel right next to The Deepest Breath and one day The Brightest Star just occurred to me and felt so perfect. This was strange because I am historically very bad at coming up with book titles! I love that it alludes to Stevie’s new interest as well as one of my personal favourite sections of the book, a small piece in which Stevie’s mum compares Stevie and Andy’s friendship to the sun. This friendship is at the core of the book so the title just worked in a really lovely way. I’m proud of it!
4. The Brightest Star is a gorgeously heart-warming, honest and uplifting story with so many positive messages. What do you want readers to take from this story?
I would love readers to know that they can take their time, that they don’t have to know everything or have everything completely figured out. It’s ok to keep learning and exploring for as long as you want or need to.
5. One of the main themes is identity. There is a real contrast between both Stevie and Chloe’s confident understanding of who they are and Andrew’s uncertainty. Why did you feel it is important to show both points of view in the story?
Because both are true. For some of us our identity is a source of comfort and confidence and for others it’s a source of confusion and anxiety. Neither is wrong. It’s a personal journey and there is no set route. I think it’s important for young readers to know that.
6. Stevie loves reading. Did you enjoy reading as a teenager and, if so, what kind of books did you enjoy reading?
I read constantly as a teenager! I read anything and everything I could get my hands on. I remember really loving Tim Bowler’s book and anything by Meg Cabot. I loved a book that could make me cry and I tried so, so hard to be a classics reader but I found them really tough!
7. Stevie has a deep interest in space, but wonders about the existence of aliens. Her friends have an interesting debate about their existence. Do you believe that aliens exist?
I do. It used to be a really scary concept to me but since becoming a much bigger sci-fi fan over the last few years I’m not so scared anymore!
8. Andrew enjoys baking, Stevie loves reading and learning and Chloe loves magic. What hobbies/activities do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I love yoga, visiting forests, watching really detailed budgeting videos on youtube (they are strangely addictive) and journalling.
9. Stevie is given a telescope for her thirteenth birthday. Can you remember a favourite birthday present which you were given – or one which you would love to receive?
My mum gave me a beautiful satchel one year. I’d always wanted one exactly like it, it’s a deep, warm brown and is monogrammed with my initials and a little crescent moon. When I was a teenager dreaming about being a writer I would visualise adult, author me and she would always have a bag just like it. It means a lot to me.
10. This story has much-needed representation of the LGBTQIA+ community through the central characters and the Rainbow Club within secondary school. Both The Deepest Breath and The Brightest Star sit perfectly within middle-grade. Why did you decide to write for this age group?
I think it’s a big time in someone’s life and a time when they might need a little comfort or a gentle push toward bravery. I think it’s an honour to get to write for this age-group, they see so much and are so open to new ideas and concepts, there’s this beautiful willingness and eagerness to learn and to connect to the world and I find it really inspiring.
Thank you so much to Meg for answering my questions: I loved reading the responses.
Review
The Brightest Star is a wonderfully uplifting and gorgeously written verse novel which follows on from The Deepest Breath although it can be read as a standalone.
Turning thirteen, Stevie is starting secondary school with best friends, Chloe and Andrew. Feeling both nervous and excited about starting this new part of her life, she knows there will be changes, but also new opportunities. When she is not put into the same class as Chloe, she feels sad but is relieved that Andrew will be in her class.
Stevie and Chloe are excited to discover that their new school has an LGBTQIA+ Club, The Rainbow Club, which they are keen to join as they know they like each other. Whilst both girls are confident and secure in their identity, Andrew is struggling with his which causes him to feel insecure and distance himself from the friendship. Can these three friends find a way back to their strong friendship, one that will allow them to re-connect and move on together?
This is such a comforting, uplifting and honest story and is one that I absolutely loved. There are so many wonderful messages for children in this story including that it’s absolutely fine to give yourself space to learn who you are and get to know all aspects of your identity in your own time without feeling any pressure from yourself or others. It was wonderful to read a story where there are supportive networks in place, including from adults and friends, which will bring comfort to children who may be struggling whether with school, anxiety or friendships – and perhaps help them to find the courage to reach out for help if needed. I think this is an incredibly empathetic story which will encourage empathy in others.
A beautifully written, heart-warming and life-affirming story, perfect for readers of 9+.
Thank you to Antonia Wilkinson and Little Island Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of The Brightest Star.
Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:
Book Craic 