The Lost History of Stars: A Novel

Set during the Boer War in turn-of-the-century South Africa, this novel follows fourteen-year-old Lettie, her younger brother, and mother—Dutch Afrikaner settlers taken from their farm by British soldiers and held in a concentration camp. With her father, grandfather, and brother fighting the British, Lettie and her family endure cramped, disease-ridden conditions where illness and starvation are constant threats. Determined to survive and shape their own fate, Lettie draws strength from memories of stargazing with her grandfather, her aspiration to become a writer, and unexpected friendships. The novel explores how moments of decency and connection sustain those living under war's shadow. Inspired by Dave Boling's grandfather's experience as a soldier during the Boer War, the novel presents Lettie's story as a testament to love, family, and resilience in the face of brutal hardship.