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by Jerry V. Behimino (Author)
Set in the uncertain months after 9/11, Starlight in a Dark Sky: Breadcrumbs to the Stars is a coming-of-age novel about resilience, creative self-expression, and the quiet bravery found on the Homefront. Sixteen-year-old Eli Fomes knows the invisible weight carried by military families. When her father's deployment stretches far longer than expected, she must navigate shifting friendships, growing responsibilities, and a community that feels suspended in time.
To cope, Eli creates a secret zine that becomes a private space for honesty and reflection. What begins as a personal outlet gradually connects students across her school who also feel unseen. Through old friends, new friendships, late-night stargazing, and early 2000s mixtapes, Eli discovers how small acts of creativity can offer light during uncertain seasons.
Thoughtful and emotionally grounded, this novel explores identity, belonging, and the strength young people find in one another. It will resonate with teen readers, educators, and librarians seeking authentic stories of adolescence and military-connected life, and will appeal to readers who enjoy The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eleanor and Park, The Things We Leave Behind, and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.
"A nostalgic, heartwarming look at adolescence in a military family, filled with the emotions and rhythms of life on the Homefront."
Stars and Stripes (Living Section, Oct 24, 2025)
Also featured in Stars and Stripes, the global newspaper connecting U.S. service members and families worldwide.
