Plot Summary

Adaline Falling Star

Mary Pope Osborne
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Adaline Falling Star

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Mary Pope Osborne

Adaline Falling Star

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Western United States • 1840s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

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Super Short Summary

Adaline Falling Star by Mary Pope Osborne follows Adaline, the mixed-race daughter of frontiersman Kit Carson, grappling with her Native and white heritage. After losing her mother to cholera and being mistreated by bigoted relatives in St. Louis, Adaline runs away to find her father. The story explores themes of identity, survival, and belonging, emphasizing her resilience and resourcefulness. The book includes instances of racism, discrimination, and self-harm.

Melancholic

Emotional

Adventurous

Nostalgic

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

593 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Mary Pope Osborne's Adaline Falling Star captivates readers with its vivid historical setting and a strong, relatable protagonist. Critics praise its rich descriptions and emotional depth. Some, however, find the pacing slow and the complex themes challenging for younger readers. Overall, it offers an engaging glimpse into a young girl's resilience and the 19th-century American frontier.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Adaline Falling Star?

A reader who would enjoy Mary Pope Osborne's Adaline Falling Star is typically aged 9-12, captivated by historical fiction with strong, young female protagonists. Comparable books include Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell and Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. This audience appreciates adventure, resilience, and cultural depth.

4.3

593 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Western United States • 1840s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

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