The Forest of Stars

By: Heather Kassner, Iz Ptica

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

In this mysterious and mesmerizing fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Splendor and Glooms and Circus Mirandus, a windswept girl who can float among the stars searches for her long-lost father at a shadow-filled carnival.

"Kassner’s writing dazzles . . . a tale of hope, courage, and friendship." —Newbery Honor winner Ingrid Law

Left all alone after her mother passes away, twelve-year-old Louisa LaRoche watches the sky for her father. Long ago, a powerful gust of wind swept through town, stealing him away on the wings of his untamed magic—the same magic that stirs within Louisa. As if she is made of hollow bones and too much air, her feet never quite touch the ground.

But for all her sky gazing, Louisa finds her fortune on the leaf-strewn street when she spots a gleaming black-and-gold invitation—a ticket to the Carnival Beneath the Stars. If her father fits in nowhere else, maybe she’ll find him there, dazzling crowds alongside the other strange and wonderful feats. Only, soon after she arrives, a tightrope act ends disastrously—and suspiciously. As fate tugs Louisa closer to the stars, she must decide if she’s willing to slip into the injured performer’s role, despite the darkness plucking at the carnival’s magical threads.

In The Forest of Stars, Heather Kassner weaves a spectacle of wondrous magic, unexpected friendship, and dark secrets.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

"A dark and dazzling tale, glistening with marvels, mysteries and the magic of friendship." —Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

"Woven together with atmospheric, lyrical language, this is a sparkling tale about grief, hope, and found families. The magic of this book will touch your heart and send it soaring." —Amanda Foody, author of Ace of Shades

magic, mystery and a journey of self discovery

great good. beautiful story of friendship and longing and darkness that can be lifted when people come together with love and support, and a bit of magic!

Amazing Autumnal Masterpiece

This was the PERFECT book to listen to during fall. From the maple tree Spark Woods to the candy apples and popcorn at the carnival to the colors of Darcell's skirts, everything was deliciously described, I love this author's style! The story was whimsical and heart wrenching as well, Luisa's grief and loneliness is something I think anyone can relate, but also an important topic for children to read about, to see themselves and their own sadness and not feel so alone. This book is great for all ages, I loved it as a grown woman and I know my child self would have loved it too. And the narrator!! She has a beautiful voice and amazing versatile accent, she does every character such justice, giving them all their unique charm. The way she expresses the intensity of action or the sadness of a scene even when she isn't reading dialogue is so spectacular, I wish more narrators put as much emotion into their reading. Absolutely wonderful!!!!