The Stars Beneath Our Feet

Twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul lives in Harlem, and life has felt empty since his older brother was killed in a gang-related shooting. Grief sits heavily on him and on his mother, and older boys in the neighborhood are starting to pressure Lolly to join a crew of his own. Then he finds an outlet in LEGO bricks at a community center and begins building a sprawling city of his own design without following any instructions. The project gives him a place to put his anger and sorrow, and it brings new people into his life, including an unexpected friend. This novel is honest about loss and danger while staying hopeful about creativity and community. It suits readers about 10 and up.