Girl Made of Stars is a hard-hitting critique of rape culture and focuses on the ways victims are silenced by the disbelief of others. Sister and brother twins, Mara and Owen, are very close and Mara thinks she knows Owen as well as she knows herself.  When Mara’s friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara cannot believe it. How could her brother be guilty of such a violent crime? And why would he do such a thing to Mara’s good friend? But why would Hannah tell a lie like this? Mara is conflicted: how can she support her brother? And Hannah?

Further complicating her life is that things are strained with Mara’s ex-girlfriend and best friend since childhood, Charlie. Charlie is bi, and has not come out to her family.  And then there a boy that Mara likes, Alex. As the story progresses Mara, Hannah, and Charlie navigate new terrain.  Mara must face a trauma from her own past and decide if Charlie fits in her future.

Girl Made of Stars presents a different take on a story about rape in that the point of view is not from that of the victim or that of the perpetrator; it’s from the point of view of those around them, the ones are caught in the middle.

The author provides a list of resources for victims of sexual assault, including a phone number for the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy realistic fiction,  stories of girl/women empowerment, friendships, brother-sister relationships, and courage.