Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust is the story of Tristran Thorn, a young man who promises the woman he loves that he will bring her back a fallen star. But there are others who seek the star, for their own reasons. And then there’s the star herself . . . A beloved fairy tale infused with humor, magic, adventure, and romance, Stardust is a timeless work that demonstrates the writer’s bold, elegant and infinitely wondrous imagination.

Genre: fantasy, adventure, magic

Themes: love, romance, good v evil, coming of age, quest, fate,

Age: 12+ years old

Stardust by Neil Gaiman book cover

Activities

1. Flash fiction: Flash fiction is a very short story, usually under 1000 words. Ask students to write a short story set in the same universe, create a character that fits into the world of the book and write a mini adventure! 

2. Map the Journey: Students create a map of Tristan’s journey to retrieve the fallen star. They can label key locations, such as Wall, the meadow, and the castle of Stormhold. Include illustrations or symbols to represent the characters or events that occur at each location.

3. Group research project: Explore the role of fairy tales and folklore in medieval society. Research the stories that influenced “Stardust” and the ways in which they were passed down through generations.

4. Character analysis: Analyse Tristan’s character throughout the novel. Have students create a character profile, including physical descriptions, personality traits, and motivations. You can extend this activity to look at Tristan before and after his quest. 

5. Design a new cover: Encourage students to be as creative as possible for this imaginative story! Students can consider the symbolism and imagery used in the book and how it can be represented in the cover design. Get them to complete this task for both the front and back of the book – don’t forget the blurb!

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