Connect the Stars audiobook

See this review and more on my blog, LilybloombooksMiddle grade isn't a genre I read much of (which I am in the process of remedying) - so there is a small part of me that doesn't feel I am THE BEST person to take a recommendation from. However, having a preteen in the house, I can tell which books would be fun for kids to read and Connect the Stars is one of those books.The story follows two main characters, Audrey and Aaron. Both are unique with "superpower" abilities that they struggle with on a daily basis. For Audrey - it's her ability to know when someone is lying. For Aaron; it's the ability to remember everything he hears, sees and reads. At first glance, it seems that these wouldn't be such HORRIBLE abilities, right? However, for these two that just is NOT the case.I adored both Audrey and Aaron. Audrey pushes people away because she is afraid of being hurt (aka lied to) and doesn't understand WHY people lie. She comes off rude but that is because she has built so many walls around herself. Aaron, while smart and knows A LOT, doesn't understand FEELINGS. It's hard to him to be social in situations that require some emotion, not facts. Both Audrey and Aaron don't want to be known just for their abilities, either.During the wilderness camp, they are paired up on the same team with two other eccentric preteens. This group was so cute and fun! They all support one another and learn to trust each other as their time at the camp goes on. Audrey helps Aaron with small tasks and situations where his spewing of facts is not welcome, which were cute and often hilarious. The remaining team helps Audrey realize that pushing people away is the answer she has been looking for. It's just so heart-warming and CUTE.Overall - I really enjoyed Connect the Stars! It's such a sweet, cute read about finding yourself, accepting others and coming to terms with things out of your control. Great read for middle graders and adults alikeI received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This is one of those books that didn't receive much buzz, but it is a delightful middle grade novel that is accessible to all kinds of readers.

Synopsis- Aaron Archer is a living encyclopedia – he remembers every single thing he’s read/heard – word for word.Audrey Alcott is a walking lie detector – she can tell when someone lies – every single time – no matter the lie.They have no idea who the other is. They live pretty far apart.But when their parents (who also don’t know each other) decide, for various reasons, that spending six weeks in the total outdoors would do the kids good, they meet. They also meet some other kids (some nice, some not-so), and a crazy guy in charge of the event.And thus starts the adventure of a lifetime.What I thought- This was a really well-written book! I enjoyed the uniqueness of the fact that Audrey and Aaron pretty much have super-powers, but the story just makes them out to be interesting people with great talents. It made it seem almost normal – almost. Ms. de los Santos and Mr. Teague set up a wonderful story with these two unique kids thrown into an environment that really challenges them. The setting is a great place for the adventure – the Texas “Desert” Plains. The kids must learn to get along with each other, and also survive the blazing sun and landscape. When a classmate disappears after getting into a fight with the counselor, the kids team together to get to the bottom of it. I like how they learn to work together despite having very different personalities. I enjoyed every second of it.*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Well written, interesting characters and a great premise and plot. I thought it taught some great lessons for kids about tolerance, empathy and friendship.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy at a YA lit panel at Dragon Con.I must confess, I didn't have super high hopes for this book when I figured out it was a middle reader. I thought it would be filled with "middle school problems," and in a way, it was in that the issues that Aaron and Audrey face are more inclined toward the younger set. However, when the book reached the adventures in the Texas desert (the kids go there on a wilderness camp), it turns into something amazing. I almost felt as though I was reading the first Harry Potter books (minus the magic, of course). This book is ultimately about friendship, bravery, and finding one's place in the universe. The authors write in such an honest and absorbing way that you forget you are reading about 7th graders. It is fully engaging, with wonderful characters and a great message. I was duly impressed by Connect the Stars.

I loved this story. Audrey can tell when anyone is telling a lie, but has never really considered WHY people lie. Aaron can recall every fact he has ever read or heard, but has never learned to analyze those facts or think about how people feel. Their parents decide to send them off to wilderness camp, where they meet. Here, they learn that they are more than their "unsuper powers" and what it will take to be a good friend and a whole person. Great story.

This book is about two outcast teens who find themselves alongside one another, Audrey and Aaron find themselves among a free but strange friendship bonded by their difrences. Audrey who can tell if anyones lying and Aaron who has perfect memory find themselves with one another at a camp.One of the saddest books I have read, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. From sadness to rage to even happiness, I could connect with the main characters easily which is a pretty hard thing for me to do. I loved how descriptive each sentence was and the imagery was beyond perfection. This book is really good if you feel alone because it makes you feel like there is someone out in the world like you. I definitely have to give it a 9/10.

** spoiler alert ** This whole book seems like an insurance rate disaster and a lawsuit waiting to happen. One adult supervising a large number of middle schoolers in the middle of a desert? Leaving them unsupervised, hiking after dark? Not paying attention to food ingredients when you know a child has an anaphylactic allergy and then not even eating with the kids? If this was real life, this guy would be sued so many times...Book talk for grades 6 and 7: from multiple perspectives. 1) girl with the ability to tell when someone is lying. Has isolated herself as much as possible from everyone so she does not have to put up with their lies. 2) boy who has a photographic memory. Knows facts but has no social skills. Does not know when it is appropriate to talk and is not able to read emotions. Their parents send them on a wilderness camp adventure in the dessert. They learn to live with themselves. Themes: friendship, acceptance

I actually didn’t know when I got this book from the library that it was for 8-12 year olds (I reserved it based on the author), but decided to read it anyway. It was a good tale, and though I thought the characters were all very difficult to believe (their exaggerated oddness in each particular area, their constant acts of goodness and selflessness), I enjoyed it. How many stars for a tween book as an adult? I haven’t a clue how to judge it. It was a good story.

I really enjoyed this book about two kids with extraordinary abilities, who must learn to balance their special abilities with the rest of themselves. They go on an outdoor survival camp and by a series of difficult events they learn from each other how to control their "unsuperpowers". It is the story of discover of what being a friend really means.A great book for preteens. I would recommend this for 3-8th grade.

I loved this book, especially the characters with their unique talents or “unsuperpowers.” Audrey is an introvert and knows when people lie. Aaron is relied upon but often takes the spotlight when it comes to trivia, especially since he has photographic memory. When they come to the wilderness camp they go through challenges that help them work together... even if those challenges are unexpected.

I really liked this book! I think that middle school students would like it as they also try to navigate middle school and figure out who they are and what their place in the world is.