Serafina and the Seven Stars by Robert Beatty is the fourth installment in a terrific series that will pull you in from the very first page!
This past weekend we were perusing the bookstore and came across a trilogy of books we'd read, The Serafina Book Series.
We were happy to discover, though, that it was no longer a trilogy, as a fourth book had come out and was on display!
Well, having been fans of the first three books, of course a copy of Serafina and the Seven Stars came home with us!
I started reading it the minute I walked in the door... patience is a virtue; just not when it comes to reading brand-new books! :)
With a unique setting, fantastic stories and a memorable heroine,The Serafina Series doesn't disappoint!
This newest installment, like the others, takes place at the Biltmore Estate near Asheville, North Carolina in the early 1900's.
Serafina has faced many foes before, and after a number of adventures, it seems like life at the Biltmore is finally returning to normal.
Appearances can be deceiving however.
Not long after she moves into one of the house's finest rooms, Serafina discovers there's much more going on both inside the Biltmore and on its grounds than she thought!
With her best friend, Braeden Vanderbilt, at boarding school in New York and dozens of guests staying at the opulent home, will Serafina be able to uncover the truth before she's out of time?
Fantasy, history and suspense are all beautifully interwoven throughout Serafina and the Seven Stars making it a captivating addition to a great series!
The gorgeous cover art will draw you in, and the tantalizing plot will keep you there!
After you've finished the last page, enjoy some of our fun ideas and activities to go along with this fabulous book!
Fun Extras to go along with
Serafina and the Seven Stars!
1. Make a Constellation Card
At the start of the story, Serafina admires the many constellations in the night sky!
The stars play a role in Serafina's adventures. I don't want to give too much away, but a card is a great way to remember to search for all those constellations!
This site has an easy and fun way to make your own!
2. Visit the Night Sky Online!
Finished reading Serafina and the Seven Stars during the day? Check out this site for a look at the night sky!
Above is a screenshot of just one of the very cool options that you can explore!
You can change what you see of the landscape, atmosphere, equatorial grid and more!
Tip: In order to see all of the options, you need to turn off your pop-up blocker.
Note: The Stellarium Plus Mobile App is absolutely fabulous and worth checking out!!
3. Painted Rock Constellations
This is a super simple and satisfying craft that perfectly compliments the book's gorgeous cover and title!
Customize it with your favorite constellation and craft away!
Materials:
Rocks: flat or slightly rounded work best
Paint: we used blue, black and shimmery purple to reflect the sky, but you decide!
White paint or paint pen for constellations
Optional: Glitter glue
Tools:
Small-tipped paintbrush or toothpick (for constellations)
Larger-tipped paintbrush
Step One: Wash and dry rocks.
Step Two: Paint base coat on rocks and let dry.
Step Three: Add glitter or shimmer paint of choice.
Step Four: Using a small-tipped paintbrush or toothpick, dot on constellation of your choice, or add more glitter for a starrier night sky!
Need Inspiration? See ours below! They were so much fun to make!
4. Try Some Biltmore - Era Snacks and Sweets!
Here's a list of more than 25 fun and interesting foods from the early 1900's. You'll be surprised by some of the choices!
Here are some of the foods we chose to taste-test:
Believe it or not, peanut butter and jelly started as a delicacy and was served at posh parties!
The Hershey's chocolate bar came out in 1900... the same year Serafina and the Seven Stars takes place!
5. Play The Ticket to Ride Board Game
The railroads were one of the ways that the Vanderbilts made their fortune, which makes this game a fun choice to go along with the Serafina stories!
There are different versions of the Ticket to Ride board game that take place in other places around the world!
Ticket to Ride First Journey is perfect if you have younger kids and are looking for an introductory version! A great pick for a family game night!
6. Visit The Biltmore Estate
Visiting the Biltmore Estate is certainly on our bucket list!
In the meantime, taking a virtual tour is a great way to experience the setting of Robert Beatty's Serafina Series!
Click here to see mini virtual tours of America's largest house and it's surrounding gardens, vineyards, town and the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Above: You absolutely have to read the first book in the series, Serafina and the Black Cloak!
Be sure to Pin this post so you remember this fantastic read and the fun ideas that go along with it!
I hope you add Serafina's adventures to your TBR list and enjoy them as much we did!
See you soon!
Cenzia :)
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Need some more ideas for great kids' books? Check out this post with some absolute favorites!
