For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more

source_10558

By signing up, I confirm that I'm over 16. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our <a href="/company/about-us/notices/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a>

Keep an eye out for a confirmation in your inbox

Stories, ideas and giveaways to help you spark young imaginations

source_10972

The latest books, activities and tips to help you grow little readers

source_10975

About us

About Us (Header 4)

john-le-carre-a-legacy-of-spies-960-2.jpg

Margaret Atwood

Richard Osman

Malorie Blackman

George Orwell

marian_keyes_mobile_320x200px.png

Elif Shafak

shonfaye

Authors (Header 3)

Books (Header 2)

Company

Features (Header 1)

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Stars

It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide

The second book in Stars - the brand new performing arts boarding school series for girls of 9+. Stars has all the warmth of Cathy Cassidy and the behind-the-scenes detail of a dance-world-insider. 
 
Dreams are made and stars are born at the Arcadia School of Performing Arts. 
 
Jess, Ash, Spike and Foxy are four best friends, all dreaming of becoming stars . . . 
 
Whether you're a fan of Ballet Shoes, X-Factor, Glee, or you just love a great story, Stars has something for everyone. 
 
Praise for Stars: 
'An inspiring and unique debut' - Emma Thompson 
 
About the authors: 
Luke Jennings is the author of three novels, including the Booker Prize-nominated Atlantic . His memoir, Blood Knots, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson and William Hill prizes. Before becoming a writer Luke trained as a dancer, and worked with classical and contemporary companies for ten years. He is currently the dance critic at the Observer, and has also written for Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. 
 
You're less likely to know his daughter, Laura Jennings, who is thirteen and lives with her parents, two brothers and her dog Dusty. She says, 'At school I'm quite sporty but I like drama best, because I have always enjoyed acting, singing and performing. I love books, and my favourite author is Stephen King' 
 
www.stars-books.co.uk

Luke Jennings is the author of three novels, including the Booker Prize-nominated ATLANTIC . His memoir, BLOOD KNOTS, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson and William Hill prizes. Before becoming a writer Luke trained as a dancer, and worked with classical and contemporary companies for ten years. He is currently the dance critic at the Observer, and has also written for Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. 
 
You're less likely to know his daughter, Laura Jennings, who is thirteen and lives with her parents, two brothers and her dog Dusty. She says, 'At school I'm quite sporty but I like drama best, because I have always enjoyed acting, singing and performing. I love books, and my favourite author is Stephen King'

The second in the brand new series, Stars, has all the warmth of Cathy Cassidy and the behind-the-scenes detail of a dance-world-insider. Whether you're a fan of Ballet Shoes, X-Factor, Glee, or you just love a great story, Stars has something for everyone.

Stars: Stealing the Show (book 2)

Stars is the first title in a brand new performing arts boarding school series for girls of 9+. It has all the warmth of Cathy Cassidy and the behind-the-scenes detail of a dance-world-insider. 
 
Dreams are made and stars are born at the Arcadia School of Performing Arts. 
 
Has Jess got what it takes? 
 
Jessica Bailey's mum has left, her dad's moving abroad for work and Jess is starting over at boarding school. At first she's unsure of herself - then she meets her roommates and begins to feel at home. 
 
But standards at Arcadia are high, and Jess soon starts to doubt her talents. She can't dance like Spike or sing like Ash and she doesn't have Foxy's style . . . 
 
So when an amazing chance comes her way, she knows she has to take it . . . 
 
Four friends dreaming of becoming . . . Stars. 
 
Whether you're a fan of Ballet Shoes, X-Factor, Glee, or you just love a great story, Stars has something for everyone. 
 
'An inspiring and unique debut' - Emma Thompson 
 
About the authors: 
Luke Jennings is the author of three novels, including the Booker Prize-nominated Atlantic . His memoir, Blood Knots, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson and William Hill prizes. Before becoming a writer Luke trained as a dancer, and worked with classical and contemporary companies for ten years. He is currently the dance critic at the Observer, and has also written for Vanity Fair and the New Yorker. 
 
You're less likely to know his daughter, Laura Jennings, who is thirteen and lives with her parents, two brothers and her dog Dusty. She says, 'At school I'm quite sporty but I like drama best, because I have always enjoyed acting, singing and performing. I love books, and my favourite author is Stephen King'.

Jess's mum left home and now her dad has taken a job abroad. So Jess is leaving behind the little flat she and her dad call home and she is off to boarding school for the first time, to the Arcadia School of Performing Arts deep in the English countryside. 
 
There she meets girls who could become her friends for life - she makes a few enemies too. But is she talented enough to make the grade? Is this the place where Jess's dreams will come true? 
 
The first of a brand new series, Stars has all the warmth of Cathy Cassidy and the behind-the-scenes detail of a dance-world-insider. Whether you're a fan of Ballet Shoes, X-Factor, Glee, or you just love a great story, Stars has something for everyone.

Stars

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter