This YA novel was a little too fanciful for me. Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu is about four sisters who live with an alcoholic mother and a disengaged father. When they move back to the New Hampshire house their mom grew up in, the discover their closets have special powers to transport them to different places or emotions.
At first the closets are a reprieve from the chaotic life they lead where they walk on eggshells around their mom and try–and fail–to have healthy relationships with each other.
The storyline relies heavily on fairy tale qualities and I just couldn’t get in to it. I prefer more realistic fiction. But that’s not to say the story won’t be loved by some readers. It was well-written and emotional, engaging and hopeful. I just didn’t enjoy the segue into the magical. Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu is a middle level book for girls who love fantasy.
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