Osborne, Mary Pope. Adaline Falling Star. Blue Sky Press (2002). ISBN-10: 0439059488

Plot Summary

In this survival story, Adaline, or Falling Star, is a girl who is forced to live with her very unkind relatives after the untimely death of her Arapaho mother. In order to participate in the Rocky Mountain expedition, Kit Carson, Adaline’s father, must leave her with his relatives, but tells her that he will return. Realizing that Adaline is a “half-breed,” these white relatives treat her as a servant, and her only friend is an African slave. Adaline never speaks or even indicates that she is able to read and communicate.

Eventually, Adaline runs away. A stray dog becomes her only companion, and a tremendous bond develops between the two as she makes her way back to the home she misses.

Critical Evaluation

Adaline Falling Star is a memorable book. It is quite an interesting mix between realistic and historical fiction. Obsborne does an excellent job allowing readers to truly understand what Adaline (or Falling Star) experiences while with her racist family members and her quest to find the place she misses most. Adaline’s journey is believable and courageous, and there are many themes embedded within the story (e.g., broken promises, racism, friendship, forgiveness, strength, etc.). A wonderful book that results in much discussion!

Reader's Annotation

Adaline, also known as Falling Star, is left to endure the pain of her mother’s recent passing and horribly racist relatives when her father, Kit Carson, leaves on an expedition for which he promises to return.

About the Author

As a child, Mary Pope Osborne spent much time moving from place to place. Because of her military family, she lived in Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia, North Caroline, and even Austria. She attended the University of North Caroline in the ‘70s and spent the later years traveling through Europe and Asia. Throughout her life she has held many jobs: travel agent, waitress, window dresser, and medical assistant. Today, she is the author of many books, including the Magic Tree House series. In 1993, Obsborne became the 27th president of the Author’s Guild, an acclaimed organization for writers in the U.S.

Genre

Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas

Adaline, or Falling Star, is known as the half white and half Arapaho Indian child of Kit Carson. After her mother dies, she becomes mute with sorrow, and her father leaves her with relatives who quickly discover that she is what they call a “half-breed.” Adaline’s father promises to return once his expedition is over. Every day, Adaline waits in grief-stricken silence, and although she does form a bond with the family slave, her true companion is a stray dog. Check out Mary Pope Osborne’s Adaline Falling Star; you won’t be disappointed!

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12, Grades 4-6

Reason for Book Selection

This book made me think of the book Flowers in the Attic. How quickly some can forget about the one(s) they love is absolutely unforgivable. This book, however, ended quite differently, and I am all about happy endings.