What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt

What Came From the Stars is mysterious, offering hope for those grieving and illuminating the strange power of art.

What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion, 2012. 304 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-15
• Recommended For: Ages 10-15

What Came From the Stars alternates in perspective between the Valorim, a far-off creature group in a far-off galaxy on a far-off planet, and the very real, here-and-now, world of young Tommy Pepper, a sixth grader in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If I could boil the plot down to the bare bones, it would read something like this:

• gift from far, far away—another world altogether—intersects with our human world
• childlike faith in this gift helps bring restoration to suffering people
• evil has also entered the world, but childlike faith in the gift helps conquer the evil
• the otherworldly gift ultimately returns to its original planet, thoroughly trouncing evil in an otherworldly epic battle

Sound familiar? Indeed, the Creation-Fall-Redemption thread of Scripture itself lurks within the covers of this unassuming book. And yet Schmidt is never about plot alone. He really shines in his descriptions, his characterization, and his representation of suffering people seeking to bring about restoration and wholeness. This is a meditation, in some ways, on grief and the healing that needs to occur—and can occur (and, as usual in Schmidt’s works, art figures prominently into this process of restoring wholeness). This book is also an exploration of the world of the fantastic, of the different voices that one might use to convey an otherworldly tone, and a poignant account of one sixth grader’s experience.

Worth reading? Yes. For everyone? Maybe not. The high fantasy tone of the Valorim’s chapters may throw readers who are used to Schmidt’s usual historical fiction, realistic works. But perhaps it will help diehard fantasy-lovers bridge the gap from fantasy to a story grounded in the real world. Schmidt admitted in a lecture I heard him give that he began this book as a joke, poking fun at a fantasy author friend of his. Well, his joke ended up being much more rewarding than a mere joke. While not as universally strong as his historical fiction, What Came From the Stars is nonetheless a thought-provoking book. 

Considerations:

• Reference to an adult using inappropriate language (although the reader is left in doubt as to the specifics)

Overall Rating: 4.25 out of 5

• Literary/Artistic Rating: 4
• Worldview Rating: 4.5

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Reviews: We’ve reviewed lots of Schmidt’s work, most of which we’ve starred! The Wednesday Wars, Just Like That, Pay Attention, Carter Jones, Okay for Now, The Labors of Hercules Beal, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Orbiting Jupiter, Pilgrim’s Progress: A Retelling, A Long Walk on a Short Day.
• Resource: Read Janie’s interview with Gary Schmidt