The Siren and the Star

Gr 9 Up–Luciana “Lula” Gabroni dreams of becoming a star. After being homeschooled by her mother, she is attending the New England Conservatory of Music in hopes of realizing her dream. She and her friends are all chosen by their History of Music professor to compete at a music festival in Venice, Italy. For her research project, Lula chooses to research 17th-century composer Barbara Strozzi, who went from being an illegitimate servant to one of the most important composers of the Baroque period. After Lula suffers an attack that leaves her afraid to sing, the trip to Venice and her connection to Barbara slowly help her heal. Written in verse, Smith weaves between Lula’s experience in 2025 and Barbara’s in the 1600s, using the dual timeline to give readers a glimpse into the lives of both young women and show the powerful connections between the two and their shared trauma and reliance. Although the characters of Lula and Barbara are dynamic and appealing, some of the secondary characters fall short. Still, the beautifully written verse engages readers in this story of female strength.