At the Sign of the Star

Meg Moore is only eight years old when her mother dies in childbirth. Her bookseller tells Meg that she is now heir to all his books, copyrights, and other interests. With such a dowry, she knows that someday she will have her pick of suitors and that with the right husband she can continue in the book trade. She dreams of being friends with witty people and authors, as her father is. She obstinately refuses to attend school, preferring to learn the booksellers' trade in her father's shop. She does not care to learn women's ways. Strong-minded, with a lively wit and caustic tongue, Meg brings London in the 1600s alive for us, through her eyes. When her father remarries a woman named Susannah, it looks like Meg will lose her birthright and inheritance to Susannah and any child she might have. However, Meg does not want to live life as only a wife or servant, either. It seems though, that these might be the only options open to her unless she learns a trade. Meg consults Anthony Barker, an astrologer. Mr. Barker tells her that a great change is coming to her life. Thirteen-year-old Meg must learn to take charge of her own life in an era when woman do not have much control over their lives. Meg is determined that she will become a bookseller or at least have some other trade. She refuses to be at the mercy of a husband or be forced to live as a servant. Will an unsuspected talent be Meg's salvation, and will she find the maturity to face her unknown future? In AT THE SIGN OF THE STAR, Katherine Sturtevant has recreated the world of 17th Century Restoration London at a time when women were finally coming into their own on London's literary scene.

This is a great book, whether or not you're a fan of historical fiction. When I picked this book out for my book report, I wasn't sure if I would like it but it's now my favorite book!

Women and girls today have so many more freedoms and opportunities than they once had. Find out what it was like to be a girl in Restoration London--specifically, in 1677. Meg Moore, an independent-minded girl of 12, chafes at the restrictions on her life--on how she must behave, speak, and accept the future arranged for her. If her father's new wife bears him a son, she will no longer be his heir. Upon his death, she will not be able to take over his bookselling business, which she loves, as she hopes and plans to do. She acts out her resentment of her stepmother in bold rudenesses that you will guiltily enjoy. :) By the time her worst fear becomes a reality, however, Meg has discovered a new talent that may win her an even more independent future.

As the only child of a widowed bookseller in 17th century London, twelve-year-old Meg Moore stands to inheirit her father's entire estate. Because she is an heiress, Meg will be able to take part in the bookselling trade - her greatest wish - and will be able to chose her own husband. But Meg's entire future is changed when her father decides to remarry. Meg dislikes her new stepmother, Susannah, even though Susannah tries to be kind to her. She fears that Susannah will provide her father with a son that will take Meg's place as his heir, and that she will be reduced to marrying any man that will take her, or even worse, working as a maid. But over a year of change, Meg realizes that accepting Susannah can only bring good, and that there are ways that she can help influence her future, even if she is not an heiress. This was a fascinating glimpse into a time period that is not often written about in young adult fiction. Highly reccomend to teen fans of historical novels.