Starseeker by Tim Bowman Essay Example

name and decides to keep the bracelet. Later, he conducts an internet search on the name and comes across a website that claims the name belongs to a girl who was separated from her parents two years ago. Additionally, the website features a photo of the child known to him as Natalie.

Luke decides to contact the number on the identity bracelet and discovers that he is speaking to Natalie's parents. He arranges to meet them in the lay-by near Buckland Forest the following day. The next morning, Luke returns to Mrs Little's house to play the piano. He successfully rescues Natalie from Mrs Little and brings her back to her parents. The Roberts are incredibly grateful to Luke and choose not to press charges against Mrs Little.

The novel is an exceptionally well-written work that portrays drama and emotion while examining different types of love. It effectively relates to real-life scenarios, as Luke encounters bullying when he tries to join Skin and his gang, who ultimately plan to use him for Mrs Little's jewelry. This kind of bullying can have long-term consequences on modern children, as they may be coerced into thinking they must comply with their bullies' demands in order to fit in or demonstrate their value.

The author's portrayal of peer pressure in the novel was enjoyable. One scene that exemplifies this is when Luke joined Skin, Daz, and Speed in the tree house. Skin had obtained his father's whisky and cigarettes, and they all engaged in drinking and smoking. Despite Luke's dislike for these activities, they tried to persuade him to participate. "Speed offered Luke the bottle after taking a sip. Although he only

took a small sip himself, Luke pretended it was more. He had no interest in whisky as it made him feel nauseous and dizzy from their previous encounter in the tree house, almost causing him to slip while climbing down." This depiction of peer pressure reflects the desire for acceptance commonly encountered by teenagers today.

The plot of the story is fantastic as it encompasses multiple narratives. It explores Luke's relationships with his friends, Skin, Daz, and Speed. It also delves into Luke's relationship with his deceased father, whom he still senses around him. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Mrs Little has been dishonest about Natalie, and Luke develops a strong dislike for his mother's new boyfriend, Roger Gilmore. Luke believes that his mother cannot love both his father and Roger at the same time and feels that Roger is attempting to replace his father. Luke finds this situation particularly challenging as Roger is also his schoolteacher.

I admire the way multiple stories are woven together and interconnected in the book. In one instance, Luke wonders why he is part of the gang, as he is not from the same village and only became involved after his father's death. Another significant theme tied to bullying is Mrs. Little's theft of Natalie and the secrets she has managed to conceal. When she confronts Luke, she already knows his identity and associates him with the village "losers" who have influenced him. The characters in this novel are remarkably lifelike, mirroring real-life individuals. The story includes common elements like bullying and parents finding new love, but it also surprises readers with unexpected twists. Notably, Natalie's true self

is revealed to be completely different from initial assumptions.Natalie, who is known as Barley, is aware of her true identity. However, due to her blindness and developmental level similar to that of a four-year-old, she lacks the ability to fully comprehend and address her circumstances. Mrs Little states that Natalie had already faced numerous challenges prior to the accident, but now, with the added complication of being unable to see, she is experiencing significant confusion and fear. She feels uncertain about everything.

The writer's clever approach to providing information within the book is quite engaging. Instead of revealing everything about a character all at once, the writer gradually introduces bits of information, encouraging readers to uncover more about the characters and the plot. This technique compels readers to continue reading, as the book delves into numerous everyday life issues.

The book had a strong beginning and middle, making the ending somewhat expected. Barley was reunited with her parents thanks to Roger saving Luke from bullies and helping him when they set fire to the tree. Luke forgave Roger and allowed him and his mother to get married. Mrs Little acknowledged her wrongdoing and became more involved with the outside world. Luke and Miranda started dating. The ending was satisfying, leaving me feeling happy as if I had experienced it all firsthand.

I enjoyed this novel because it felt realistic and had an engaging storyline that kept me hooked. It fully lives up to the praise on the back cover, described as powerful, mysterious, and grounded in everyday life. I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike, and I am excited to read more works by this

author.