The Lost History of Stars

In this title set at the turn of the 19th century in South Africa, Grandpa "Oupa" Gideon sneaks Lettie Venter outside at night to study the constellations before he goes away. Soon the Venter women and children, who are Dutch, will watch as the British army burns their farm to the ground and relocates them to a concentration camp while their men fight in the Second Boer War for South African land, diamonds, and gold. Once Lettie shared with her grandfather a dream of becoming a sea captain. "Don't be silly" was his reply. But as 14-year-old Lettie comes of age, the old ways begin to change and being in charge becomes synonymous with growing up female. Although segregation separates Lettie from Bina, a servant and respected member of the family who's sent to a camp for black South Africans, Bina's advice lives on: "Deeds live." Lettie's mother adheres to Bina's counsel initially, teaching her children not to flinch even as a soldier holds his rifle against the neck of her youngest son. While hate consumes Lettie's mother, whose brother-in-law cooperated with the enemy to save his own life, Lettie decides that her deed will be forgiveness. A convincing plot twist unites the family. The novel was based on the story of Boling's grandfather during the war, and the author has dedicated the book to his family.