An emotionally hard-hitting novel that deftly tackles many sensitive subjects.
It is 2012 and Star has begun sharing her most intimate thoughts with a trustworthy companion, her new journal. Dubbed My Journal of Hidden Truths, this eco-friendly diary is a birthday gift meant to soothe junior high school jitters and lessen a strained relationship with her mother. Overlooked by classmates and misunderstood by teachers, Star shrugs off her lonely school years with her eyes trained on the future and her head in the clouds. She may be more sensitive than others but with a passion for science and all things David Bohm, Star is able to drown out the negativity around her. This precocious 13-year-old girl’s curious nature puts her at odds with most people, including her loving single mom, Mariah. But Mariah only wants the best for Star, even if it means keeping secrets and single-handedly bearing the weight of past traumas. Growing up in a devout religious household didn’t help Mariah in her greatest time of need, so she struggles to relate to her daughter’s interest in things unseen or unconventional. But grief? That’s tangible. Pain and guilt are also a very real part of Mariah’s life. When Star begins to manifest an intuition that shouldn’t be possible, can this earnest mother be the support that her daughter needs?
A story about forgiveness and the healing that is achieved from the inside out, The Journal of Hidden Truths is an emotionally hard-hitting novel that deftly tackles many sensitive subjects. Star’s character might be unique in the setting of Aspen Creek Junior High, but her outlook and experiences are relevant to contemporary audiences. Vital thematic elements including LGBTQ issues, bullying, mental health, and the way we cope with loss are woven into the novel. Skillfully writing a story with alternating perspectives can be tricky, but Mary Avery Kabrich does an impeccable job of giving Star and Mariah their own distinct voices so that readers are always confident about where they are in the story. Whenever Star is journaling, the emotionally charged musings of a teenager permeate the page, yet when Mariah takes center stage, a more refined voice shaped by the weight of her past comes through clearly in the prose. Mariah does her best to shield Star from the tough realities of life, but this highly intelligent girl sees through the protective embrace and offers readers a look at modern issues from a fresh perspective. Psychological dimension and nuanced sophistication are elegantly revealed in The Journal of Hidden Truths.
