A Glasshouse of Stars

 By: Shirley Marr

Location: FIC MAR

Genre: Magic Realism, Rascsim

A touching and quietly magical story of family, belonging and strength that compassionately explores mental health, grief and the varying experiences of immigrants of all ages and backgrounds.

A beautiful story about finding your place in the world.

WINNER, CBCA Book of the Year - Younger Readers 2022
WINNER, WA Premier’s Book Awards - Writing for Children 2021

Meixing Lim and her family have arrived at the New House in the New Land, inherited from First Uncle who died tragically and unexpectedly while picking oranges in the backyard. Everything is vast and unknown to Meixing and not in a good way, including the house she has dubbed Big Scary. She is embarrassed by the second-hand shoes given to her by the kind neighbours, has trouble understanding the language at school, and with fitting in and making new friends. Her solace is a glasshouse in the garden that inexplicably holds the sun and the moon and all the secrets of her memory and imagination.

Her fragile universe is rocked when tragedy strikes and Ma Ma refuses to face the world outside. Meixing finds herself trapped within the shrinking walls of Big Scary. Her parents said this would be a better life for them all, but it feels like the worst and most heart-breaking experience of Meixing's entire existence. Surviving will take all the resilience and inner belief of this brave girl to turn their world around.

A Glasshouse of Stars is based on the real childhood experiences of the author, brushed with a light touch of magic realism.

'Are you scared of the darkness? Kevin asks you.
'No,' you say.
With your answer, the black sky is at once filled with a million galaxies.
It is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.
'No,' you repeat. 'Because you can only see the stars when it is dark.'