"The right story at the right time. . . . Itโs not just a narrative; itโs an experience. Itโs the novel weโve been waiting for." โTheย New York Times
A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brotherโs death in this outstanding debut novel that celebrates community and creativity. Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent and soon to be a major motion picture directed by Michael B. Jordan!
Itโs Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom arenโt celebrating. Theyโre still reeling from his older brotherโs death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lollyโs motherโs girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lollyโs always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.
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His path isnโt clearโand the pressure to join a โcrew,โ as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escapeโand an unexpected bridge back to the world.ย
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David Barclay Moore paints a powerful portrait of a boy teetering on the edgeโof adolescence, of grief, of violenceโand shows how Lollyโs inventive spirit helps him build a life with firm foundations and open doors.
A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Magazine Top 10 Children's Books of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of the Year
Six Starred Reviews
โA fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us. David Barclay Moore is an exciting new voice. We definitely havenโt heard the last of his brilliance.โ โJacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Awardโwinning author ofย Brown Girl Dreaming
โThe Stars Beneath Our Feetย is about the weight of the world on the back of a child, and the creative tools necessary to alleviate that pressure. I found myself rooting for Lolly, and you will too.โ โJason Reynolds, Coretta Scott King Honor Winner forย As Brave As You
9-12 แฌแแแก แแแแจแแแแแกแแแแก