I am so excited to share with you the Star Darlings series of books authored by Shana Muldoon Zappa and Ahmet Zappa and published by Disney Press.
My youngest, an 8 year old, has been somewhat of a grazer of books; starting several before finishing or if she finishes a book (after much prodding) she would not go on to read others in the series. This series has changed all that! These novels are filled with magical fantasy and lots of sparkly fun. My daughter would often come to me and read excerpts that she found hilarious…”Hey Mom Listen to this!”
This series is centered on twelve students from Starland Academy. These special students have been selected from their class to reclaim the wish energy that powers their beloved planet, Starland. The Star Darlings, as they are known, take classes where they learn how to grant the wishes made on birthday candles, shooting stars, dandelions, wishbones, coins tossed into fountains…and more. They go on top-secret missions to Wishworld (known as Earth). There they will have to find the Wisher and figure out how to grant the wish before time runs out. Each book focuses on a specific Starland student as they discover how challenging and surprising life on a new planet can be and the importance of friendship and teamwork.
Book List According to Amazon
BooK1: Star Darlings Sage and the Journey to Wishworld
Book 2: Star Darlings Libby and the Class Election
Book 3: Star Darlings Scarlet Discovers the Truth
Book 4: Star Darlings Vega and the Fashion Disaster
Book 5: Star Darlings Leona’s Unlucky Mission
Book 6: Star Darlings Cassie Comes Through
Book 7: Star Darlings Piper’s Perfect Dream
Book 8: Star Darlings Astra’s Mixed-Up Misssion
Book 9: Star Darlings Tessa’s Lost and Found
Book 10: Star Darlings Adora Finds a Friend
Book 11: Star Darlings Clover’s Parent Fix
Book 12: Star Darlings Gemma and the Worst Wish Ever
When I purchased these books from Target however book 3 is Leona, book 4 is Vega, and book 5 is Scarlet. You can see the book numbers in the picture. My daughters like to make sure they read their books in order…don’t want to miss anything!
As you can see from this picture the books look pretty worn…just as a book should be!
Age range on these books is 8-12 years. My daughter being in the second grade has had to come to me for help with word pronunciation on a few words, but it has not been anything consistent. I too have read along with my daughter. The content was engaging and entertaining, often incorporating situations that these young readers could encounter in real life.
It also helps that each of the books has a 10.5” doll that goes with the story (sold separately.) As far as we have seen there is a doll for the first seven books and hoping there will be one for each book. My daughter LOVES these little dolls. These dolls have articulating joints to pose. As a parent I liked the fact that the dolls were not overly painted with makeup. There are two versions of the dolls, a Starland version and a Wishworld version. The Starland version (or Core doll) is a more glitzy doll representing how the doll would look living on her planet Starland, with more glitter and shine. The Wishworld version (or basic doll), is a bit less made up…but still just as cute, to represent how the doll would look living on Wishworld(Earth). Starland dolls range in price; $19.99 at Target,Toys R Us, Amazon, and $29.99 at the Disney Store. The doll accessories are a bit different at the Disney Store and honestly I don’t feel they are worth the price difference. The Wishworld version is available at Target, ToyRUs, and Amazon for $14.99.
The next four dolls pictured are all Starland dolls.
Starland Dolls include…so far: Sage, Libby, Leona, Vega, and Scarlet
Wishworld Dolls include…so far: Scarlet, Cassie, and Piper (Sage is supposed to be available as a Wishworld doll but we have not been able to find her.)
Here’s this parent tip….my daughter doesn’t get the doll until she finishes the book! Yes, we might buy the doll while out shopping when we get the book, but it sits in the box on her dresser until she has finished the book and taken her AR test. She has made a perfect score so far on each test on the first 3 books. As you can see Vega is still in her box…and a bookmark is in Vega’s book.
My oldest daughter aged 11, also started reading these books. Of course, my youngest gets first dibs on a new book since she found the series! It has been wonderful to hear and see these two sisters discuss the books. My older daughter does have less interest in the dolls but she is right by her sister’s side when she gets to get a new one! Plus, this momma likes having her daughter ask to do extra chores to save up for these books and dolls.
There are also companion books to go along with the series, as well as apps, music, and movie shorts on the Disney Channel. Overall, this is a delightful and colorful series and my daughters look forward to the upcoming releases.
…stay tuned for more upcoming pics and YouTube video.
Enjoy! 
Awesome review! Looks like a great series!