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new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney’s Star Darlings

home / reading / books / new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney’s Star Darlings
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New book series for tweens?ย Yes.

Worth your time? Yes.

Your tween–girls, especially–will really like it? You bet.

It’s the Star Darlings series.

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

Maddy, Cora, and I areย giving a big, star shout-out to this new fantasy series for a bunch of reasons.

Here’s the skinny. . .

New Book Series for Tweens — 5 Reasons to Love Disney’s ‘Star Darlings‘:ย 

If your kids are at all Disney fans, they’ve seen a lot of Star Darlings over the past few months; Disney has been sneaking in some Star Darling videos and shorts, some commercials and a bunch of book promo between episodes of Jesse, Austin & Allie, and Dog With a Blog.

What you need to know about ‘Star Darlings‘

  • Disney’s Star Darlings series is written byย Ahmet Zappa and Shana Muldoon Zappa and is geared toward middle grade students, ages 8-12 years old.
  • The whole Star Darlings series focuses on a group of twelve girls from Starland who have been chosen to go to Wishworld (Earth) and grant wishes to Wishlings (Earthlings) in order to save Starland from their terrible crisis.
  • Each of the twelve chapter books take you on a Star Darlingโ€™s first magical wish mission on Wishworld, where she discovers the power of wishes, learns a lesson about herself, and helps collect the positive energy that Starland desperately needs to survive.
  • Each of the Star Darlings is a unique and special individual with her own strengths and weaknesses. One of the things Cora likes best is that ‘the girls aren’t perfect. They each have things they’re working on–like us.’
  • Essentially, the Star Darlings series is all about making positive choices and learning that you make things possible.
  • There’s a lot of listening to your inner voice (which I think is a super-important skill for kids) and trusting your instincts (also a great skill for kids).
  • There’s a lot of leaning on your friends and networking.
  • There’s a lot of learning to deal with challenges and celebrating successes.

Here are 5 reasons to love this new series:ย 

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

1. The characters are unique and kids really connect with them.

Sage, Libby, Adora Astra, Cassie, Clover, Gemma, Leona, Piper, Scarlet, Tessa, and Vega are the main characters among a sea of cool teachers, family members, and classmates at Starling Academy.

Each character has a distinct color, hobby, and style. Each Star Darling was given her own Wish Pendant, Wish Blossom, and Power Crystal–things that my girls have taken to memorizing and sharing.

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

It seems as though when series have characters distinct and memorable like this, readers really tend to remember them.

Though among the great characters–the Star Darlings–there are also some tough ones. There’s Vivica who is coined ‘the mean girl’ from the outset–something that I don’t particularly love but which isย often the case in literature for younger audiences.

It’s a great discussion point for parents, though. Consider chatting about:

  • What do we mean when we say, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’?
  • When is it an acceptable time to group people according to the way they look, act, or sound?
  • Why are people sometimes put in ‘groups’ according toย with whom they most spend time?
  • Are people all ‘good’ or all ‘bad’? Or do they fall in between?
  • How would you feel if you were called ‘the good girl’ or ‘the quiet girl’ or ‘the sporty girl’? What happens to people when we label them this way?
  • Are there ‘labels’ for kids at your school? Explain.

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

2.It’s a very visual story–whichย helps readers understand better.

Reading these books aloud together has been so much fun because it is so incredibly visual. You can really just close your eyes and imagine every, single thing down to the very last shimmer and sparkle.

Visualizing is one of the keys to reading comprehension. Visualization involves creating a ‘movie in your mind’ as you read–being able to ‘see’ what you’re reading. ย Any time we can mention this to our kids, to remind them to take a minute to visualize what they’re reading, the better.

When you can see the characters, setting, and concepts unfolding, you can better understand them. Talk about what you see, hear, smell, and feel as you read,ย and if your kids have a difficult time doing so, The Wisher’s Guide or the video shorts may help!

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

 

3. Aย Wisher’s Guide to Starland brings the series together.

Kind of like the Star Darlings’ Student Manual, A Wisher’s Guide covers everything you need to know about the entire series.

It makes the whole series seem ‘official’, like readers are actually becoming part of a special club when they read it and become acquainted with the information.

Six sections that cover Star Darlings, Wish Energy, Starland, Starling Academy, Faculty and Students, and Wishworld, the guide is cover to cover beautiful illustrations and images that tweens will love.

A great way to build schema–or give folks new to this series some background information–this guide gave Cora many ‘aha!’ moments as we read the books. I know who they’re talking about here! she’d say as a character was introduced.

Or, Mom! I have a feeling that I know who this teacher is! ย 

Or Do you want me to tell you what I know about this person? I remember reading about her in the Wisher’s Guide!

It’s a confidence-builder. A little introduction before the party starts. I highly recommend it.

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

4.ย It’s funย to fall into everything Starland.

The language of the Star Darlings is startastic. It’s startacular, in fact. There’s a starmendous amount of ‘starspeak’ which, after book number two or three, becomes contagious.

You’ll all start talking about yourselves as Wishlings and will reach for your Star Pendant instead of your keys or your holobook instead of your phone.

You’ll begin to look at things in floozels instead of miles, and you’ll try to order green globules, gloranges, garble greens, starcakes, or moonberries at restaurants.

You’ll look for glowfurs and flutterfocuses in your backyard and will dream about riding a galliope across the Star Quad.

The cool thing is that each book has a Glossary in the back, so it’s yet another way to reinforce to our young readers the importance of looking for clarification. ย Not sure of a word?ย First, try to figure it out by context clues. Still need help? Look in the glossary!

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

5. The music, the app, the videos, the shorts, and the shows are a fabulous way to continue the Star Darling love.

Friends, there’s a lot of Star Darlings right now, and though it may seem to get old to us, our tweens love it.

There is an app (watch for in-app purchases!) that I think is a great complement to this series. I actually did buy the whole thing for Cora–I think it was maybe $6–because having access to the whole thing allowed her access to more reading.

The app includes some Choose-Your-Own-Adventure type stories and fashion and wardrobe options for the characters.

There are Star Darling videos. And shorts. And (rather catchy) songs. And merchandise.

new book series for tweens: 5 reasons to love Disney's Star Darlings | teachmama.com

โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”-

 

new series for tweens | star darlings | teachmama.com

 

______________

Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:

  • wait time
  • my day, your day
  • frozen peas
  • kids who rock the kitchen
  • kids who rock the laundry
  • rest time
  • gem jars
  • arm circles
  • noticing kids
  • homework routine

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are โ€œaffiliate links.โ€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionโ€™s 16 CFR, Part 255: โ€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.โ€ ย For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.ย 

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

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From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

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Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
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This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
View
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Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
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Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
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Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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