The Stars Look Like Home
By TJ Klune
From beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune comes a joyful, moving adventure about a dog in search of his person—and his place in the universe.
A promise: The dog does not die in this.
As a puppy, Burke’s mother told him that dogs' lives are like the stars in the sky: An everlasting light in the darkness. So naturally, Burke believes he’s immortal.
When he discovers the truth—that shollies from the suburbs don’t live forever—he sets out to find his place in the world and make the most of life. But try as he might, he’s passed from family home to training program, from the suburbs to the mountains, until, at last, he meets Jake, the man who feels like home.
Jake is a grieving professor who needs a reason to get up, get dressed, and go on. Burke is overjoyed to be that reason, but Burke knows he won’t live forever, so he takes on the ultimate task: find Jake someone to love before Burke takes his place as a star in the sky.
The Stars Look Like Home is a funny and heartfelt story about trusting the universe to guide you home and then holding on tight when you get there.
The hardcover edition will feature a beautiful case stamp.
Guide written by Amy Root Clements
Book club questions for The Stars Look Like Home by TJ Klune
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
How is home defined throughout Burke’s life? Is home a place, or can a relationship be a home?
What does the universe look like from Burke’s point of view? Despite his naturally limited attention span, how does his logical mind sometimes surpass human reasoning? What does he teach us about getting our needs met and overcoming hardships that we cannot comprehend?
Jake and Burke have both experienced profound grief. How does Jake attempt to deal with losing Andre? How does that compare to Burke’s reactions after Ben is no longer in his life? How do Oscar and Yusef provide a pathway to true healing?
Reading this book with your club?
Access these questions right on your club's meeting page on Bookclubs — no more copy-pasting into a group text.
Create My ClubIn chapter 12, Jake and Yusef discuss Plato and the mythic Thoth, who debates with an Egyptian king about whether written words will diminish humans’ ability to remember. In what ways are storytelling and memory vital for the novel’s main characters, including the dogs (who can’t read)?
How does Burke process the discovery that even the Oracle is mortal? In the novel, is it more powerful to believe you’re immortal or to believe that you have a limited amount of time to accomplish something worthwhile?
How does the friendship of Melon, along with the diverse community of the dog park (Jasper, Lilly, Biscuit, and Lightning), transform Burke? Which of his new friends would you want to hang out with?
Louis Armstrong’s music, especially his recording of “La Vie en Rose,” provides a beautiful soundtrack for Burke and Jake. Do you dance with your loved one (human, canine, feline, or otherwise)? If so, do you have a signature song?
Who are the Lupas and Echos in your life, guiding you through the darkest nights? What does Burke discover about his true essence during that period?
The novel begins with a promise that the dog will survive and that “within these pages, he is forever.” As you were reading that line, followed by the opening scene, what were your first impressions of Burke? How did your understanding change after you read the book’s closing paragraphs?
If you have read other books by TJ Klune, how does The Stars Look Like Home enhance your perception of those previous works? What’s special about Klune’s depictions of love and belonging?
The Stars Look Like Home Book Club Questions PDF
Download a printable PDF of these discussion questions to bring to your meeting.