Dear Stardust (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9789370897953)

Embark on a magical summer with twelve-year-old Sunny in an uplifting, coming-of-age journey of a girl learning to trust her body and finding her voice.

Twelve-year-old Sunny's world feels out of orbit--a strict mom, a physically absent father, an estranged older brother, and a home filled with silence. But everything changes when her quirky and loving grandmother Neppy steps in one summer. Neppy, a believer in cosmic wisdom, invites Sunny into her home, intent on revealing secrets that promise to change her world: secrets to trusting herown body, connecting with the moon's cycles, and seeing her own stardust shine.

Narrated through Sunny's honest voice and heartfelt journal entries, this story follows her as she navigates changes in her body, dreams of and meets her first crush, and learns to embrace all parts of herself. These changes--and a budding romance with Zolt, the dreamy music store boy--bring color to Sunny's summer. With Neppy's guidance, Sunny discovers a deeper meaning of self-care, self-acceptance, and the powerful rhythms of womanhood.

As her family navigates tough conversations and Sunny rediscovers her relationship with herself, she finds confidence, understanding, and hope, emerging with a heart full of courage and a deeper bond to her loved ones. With wise, witty narration and a voice that captures the awkward yet awesome moments of becoming a teen, Dear Stardust dives deep into ideas of self-acceptance, the power of female relationships, and learning to embrace your inner universe. Sunny and Neppy are here to remind you that you are never alone--you are the universe in motion.

Author: Shannon Hugman
ISBN-10: 937089795X
ISBN-13: 9789370897953
Publisher: White Arrow Books
Language: English
Published: 10/27/2026
Pages: 232
Format: Paperback

Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 08/01/2026 pg. 79