Emily McDermott Reviews “Stars of the North” by Lucy Kovaliv

Stars of the North written and illustrated by Lucy Kovaliv is an empowering novel that teaches readers the important role that community plays when it comes to survival. Through different POVs, Kovaliv portrays characters in all stages of their life, whether that be a young girl naïve to the dangers of the world, or that of a grown man embarking on the greatest journey of his life. Despite their differences in age and life experiences, each and every character in Stars of the North finds themselves in a predicament where they cannot move forward without the help of another, even the people they least expect to offer a helping hand.

For Puck, a young schoolgirl living in snowy Yukon, Canada, she has always had her dad around to guide and protect her. When her dad was not around, her trustee dog Klondike was right by her side, scaring off anyone that thought about harming her. While having those layers of protection was a good thing to ensure her safety, it allowed minimal opportunity for Puck to learn how dark of a place the world can truly be. When she begins having conflict with a boy at school, Bart, she is unsure how to handle the situation. She writes him off as a bully who just wants to be mean to everyone. However, when circumstances lead to Puck having to get to know Bart on a more personal level, she realizes that he is just a neglected child jealous of the love Puck receives from her family. Gaining that knowledge allows for a breakthrough in their dislike for one another, and Puck even agrees to be Bart’s friend in the end. Through understanding the importance of being a friend to those around her, Puck comprehends how simply being kind can make a world of difference in others’ lives.

In a similar situation, Puck’s father, Bill, learns the importance of community help while he is racing at the Iditarod, the toughest dog sled race held in Alaska. When a young man that he is unfamiliar with joins the race, Takanni, Bill questions what is drawing him to compete and how good of a racer he is going to be. Rather than giving him the cold shoulder, he offers niceties and makes an effort to be an ally instead of a rival. This small gesture of kindness ends up going a long way when Bill falls into a frozen lake and Takanni goes out of his way to save him. Despite the fact that Bill was his competitor, Tukanni realizes that there are much bigger things than winning a dog race, and he needs to save Bill’s life. With this action, Kovaliv demonstrates that without the help from those around them, the characters in Stars of the North would not be able to move forward.

While these are only two of many examples of the importance of community for survival, Stars of the North is a remarkable read for those of all ages who are looking for an inspirational story, especially in times where the world may not feel inspirational.  

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ABOUT EMILY MCDERMOTT

Emily is a recent graduate of  Bridgewater State University where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a concentration in Literature. While at Bridgewater State, Emily worked in the Academic Achievement Center as a writing consultant where she helped enrolled students with any stage of the writing process. Being in this position helped Emily realize that working as an editor might be something she could see herself doing as a career. Currently, she is employed for a small business in her hometown of Bridgewater, MA while actively searching for jobs within the publishing field. She spends most of her free time reading books, playing with her dogs Neely and Kevin, going on coffee runs with her friends, and watching the Bruins with her dad.