Stella by Starlight

Stella realizes right away that the Spencers’ house is on fire. As she runs toward their property, three KKK men, robed, hooded, and on horseback, thunder toward her. Stella dives to the side of the road to avoid them. One shouts to her that Papa and the others who voted should have expected this “trouble.” She recognizes the green eyes of this man—Dr. Packard. The riders rear their horses, then ride off. Stella, paralyzed with fear, stays put until Tony Hawkins and Randy Bates arrive to help her.

Tony runs to notify families about the fire and Randy goes to tell Mrs. Malone, who owns a telephone, to call the fire brigade. Stella goes to the Spencer house, which is already fully engulfed. Neighbors set up a bucket brigade from the river, determined to save what they can and to protect the surrounding houses. Mr. Malone arrives and says the fire brigade refuses to come. In the bucket line, Mrs. Winston refers to the size of the family losing their home: “They gonna have some mighty big needs come morning” (175). Tensions rise among the neighbors helping, with some mentioning the danger of voting and others wondering aloud if lynching might be next.

Neighbors continue to fight the fire. Stella notices several white men helping as well. Mrs. Spencer rushes in, terrified because her daughter Hazel has turned up missing. “Mrs. Grayson said she thought Hazel was with me! But I don’t have her!” (185) In the search for the first grader, Stella tells Mama she has to use the restroom, thinking she might know where Hazel hid. Stella goes into the woods, searching for a possibility that fits Hazel’s description of the “hidey-hole.” Amongst the snake-like roots of an old oak, Stella finds Hazel. She returns Hazel to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer. 

Everyone commends Stella on finding Hazel. Papa tells the Spencers they can use his deceased mother’s house until everyone helps to build a new house. The next morning, at Sunday service, Pastor Patton’s sermon begins with a message of having the strength to help others and listening to the call of service. Stella is shocked when Pastor calls her name and asks her to stand: “Yes, this little girl represents all of us. She is youth. She is promise. […] She stands there for all our children” (195). Pastor speaks of her bravery and fortitude in the face of fear, and he promises the children that the adults will prepare them effectively. 

On the way home the family sees both an airplane and an eagle in the sky. Stella recalls Spoon Man’s story. Once home, two white women knock on the door. They have clothes and household goods donated by those at the Bumblebee Baptist Church for the Spencers. The women are not at ease: “They glanced nervously from corner to corner. Stella wondered what they thought of their house, then decided she didn’t care” (203). They worry that the donated goods may offend the Spencers but are relieved when Mama reassures them that the Spencers will be grateful. Mama offers to take the women to the house where the Spencer family is staying. Stella and JoJo go along to help carry items, and the church ladies give Stella and JoJo a ride in their car afterwards.

After Stella gets to ride in the church ladies’ car, she is eager to write about the experience. She chooses her bed as a writing spot and composes a short piece on the smell of the new car, the loud sounds made by the engine and the horn, and the dust cloud formed on the dirt road. Stella’s writing demonstrates how much she loved the experience, but she does not think cars will ever replace horses and wagons: “How can a fancy car go through the fields and help a farmer plant or pick?” (207).

Folks donate so many items to the Spencers that Mrs. Spencer does not have room or need for all of them. She brings a box of donated clothes to Mama for JoJo and Stella: dresses, shoes, shirts, and pants. The biggest treasure by far, however, is a typewriter for Stella, who is overjoyed: “Thank you so much, Mrs. Spencer! I never used one of these before, but I’m gonna do my best to figure it out” (211).

That same day, Mrs. Grayson chooses three contest entries to represent Riverside School: first grader Claudia Odom’s poem will be entered in the young grades’ division, Carolyn Malone’s essay for the middle grades’ contest, and Helen Spencer’s short story for the high school group. Stella is happy for Carolyn but disappointed too, especially when Mrs. Grayson announces the prize—twenty-five dollars in cash.

Mrs. Grayson reminds everyone how a patchwork quilt can tell a story: “Our past is a patchwork of memories and tales” (219). Mrs. Grayson then tells a story set in the days of American slavery about a girl named Zalika whose name is associated with royalty. She has a special appreciation for the sky, clouds and weather, and birds. One day the overseer threatens to beat Zalika: “So, on this day […] young Zalika, who had never known even one day of joy in her life, decided she would not be beaten again” (222). Before the whip hits Zalika, she rises into the sky, flying. The other slaves see and fly as well, abandoning the life of pain and oppression. The story improves everyone’s mood, including Stella’s.

Stella tries out her typewriter with a short piece of writing. She is amazed that words appear with taps on keys like “majic [sic].” Mama shows her how to form capitals with the shift key and how to punctuate. Stella is excited to work on her writing with this new tool.