What Came from the Stars

Tommy Pepper lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts, dealing with loss and bullies in middle school. His life changes when a mysterious chain from another world lands on Earth and grants him unexpected abilities. In alternating chapters, the story follows both Tommy's experiences on Earth and events in a distant realm called Valorim. The Valorians face destruction from the Lord Mondus, causing them to send their most precious art across the galaxies. Life in Plymouth becomes more complex as Tommy navigates family relationships, school dynamics, and strange occurrences tied to his new powers. Forces from both worlds begin to intersect as Tommy discovers his role in a larger cosmic struggle. The novel explores themes of art, creativity, and resistance against forces that would destroy beauty and culture. Through parallel storylines on Earth and Valorim, it examines how individuals find courage when faced with loss and change.

Readers found this book harder to follow than Schmidt's other works, with many noting the complex made-up vocabulary and shifting between two parallel storylines. Several reviewers said the fantasy elements felt disconnected from the contemporary plot. Readers appreciated: - Schmidt's descriptive writing style - The authentic middle school relationships and dynamics - The handling of grief and family themes - Plymouth, MA setting details Common criticisms: - Confusing alien language and terminology - Difficult to track the dual narratives - Fantasy elements seem forced - Slow pacing in the first half Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (40+ reviews) "The fantasy parts lost me completely," wrote one Goodreads reviewer, while another noted "The earth-based story was compelling on its own without the sci-fi elements." Multiple readers mentioned they finished only because they enjoyed Schmidt's other books.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphaned boy moves to his uncle's mysterious house and discovers magic, danger, and an ancient doomsday device hidden in the walls.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman A living boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard learns to navigate both the world of the dead and the living while uncovering the truth about his family's murder.

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill A boy sent to live with relatives in Iowa discovers he has connections to an ancient magic that protects the town and must face dark forces that want to destroy it.

The Extraordinary and Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle by Catherine Webb A Victorian-era inventor and detective investigates supernatural occurrences in London while protecting an otherworldly artifact from those who seek its power.

The Shadows by Jacqueline West A young girl moves into an old house filled with mysterious paintings that serve as portals between worlds and becomes entangled in their magic.

🌟 Gary D. Schmidt has won two Newbery Honor awards for his other novels, "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" and "The Wednesday Wars" 🌠 The book weaves together two parallel narratives - one set in a fantasy world called Valorim and another in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts ✨ The author incorporates elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry style in the fantasy sections of the book, including kennings (compound expressions used in Old English literature) 💫 Schmidt wrote part of this book while staying in a cabin on Lake Michigan, drawing inspiration from both the celestial views and the water ⭐ The story's Plymouth setting reflects the author's deep connection to New England, where he spent his childhood and later taught at Calvin College for many years