The Girl Who Drank the Moon: Book Review

The Girl Who Drank the Moon: Book Review

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barnhill, Kelly. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Chapel Hill: Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. ISBN 9781616205676

PLOT SUMMARY

Every year the townspeople of a place called the Protectorate offer up their youngest (typically an infant) in attempt to appease the evil witch of the woods. Little do they know, this witch is kind, and saves these sacrificed babies and takes them to loving homes. On the way she nourishes them with starlight, keeping them healthy and strong on their journey. All changes when she accidently feeds one small babe moonlight, imbuing her with magic. The witch decides to keep the child, naming her Luna, and raising her as a part of her family (which includes a tiny dragon and wise old swamp monster named Glerk). Will Luna be able to control her magic? Will the townspeople of the Protectorate ever learn the truth? This magical book is a must read!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kelly Barnhill does a phenomenal job of immersing the reader into a world full of magic, hope, and one in which good triumphs over evil. From the very beginning the reader is hooked. Beginning with the simplistic wording of “Yes. There is a witch in the woods”, the story already peaks one’s interest in magic, urging us all to read on. Through its storytelling-like start, until its very end, this is a book that is impossible to put down. Barnhill’s writing style makes the book easy to follow for all ages, and easy to fall in love with. As the book continues, each character presented has their own unique voice and way in which they speak. The old witch Xan has a grandmother-like quality to her speak, using expressions as “oh dear”, “darling”, “dearest”, and “young lady” when speaking to young Luna, giving off the feeling of grandmotherly love and concern. As a simply tiny dragon, Fyrian is portrayed as a playful and impatient child, doing things such as calling out “Luna, Luna, Luna…” over and over again until she gave him her undivided attention. As the wise and scholarly swamp monster, Glerk speaks in prose, continually quoting “the Poet” and saying such insightful and sagely things such as “death is always sudden…even when it isn’t.”

Then there is the main protagonist of this tale; Luna. As the strong-willed, carefree character that she is, Luna is given a curious, child-liked expression, her voice possessing an inquisitive, hopeful tone. From the start Luna questions her environment, asking Xan “what’s magic, Grandma?”, when she was only five, pestering Xan to teach her about the world. As she ages, Luna does not lose this curiosity about the world, and is in awe of all that she knows and of all she has yet to learn. She begins to mature and to think about things deeply, possessing an understanding beyond her years. This is seen with several instances, one of them being when she ponders about how much the human heart can feel:

“How many feelings can one heart hold? …Infinite, Luna thought. The way the universe is infinite. It is light and dark and endless motion; it is space and time, and space within space, and time within time. And she knew: there is no limit to what the heart can carry.”

On top of the lovable, unique characters that Barhnhill gifts her readers, her story is well put together, consisting of various individuals and stories whose paths are woven together, intertwining with other characters, and finally connecting in several places towards the ending of the book. The story is fun-filled, but also has its moments of sorrow and suspense, such as the magical, yet frightening, happening that occurrs between the mad woman, her attacking paper birds, and poor young Antain, the seeker of truth. There is also suspense as readers anxiously await to see what exactly the terrible “sorrow eater” has planned for the Protectorate, and why they have been ruled through lies and pain. This book provides readers of all ages with adventure, hope overcoming sorrow, and at least one character they can truly connect with, as there are so many wonderful ones to choose from. With magical people, creatures, ordinary townspeople, and themes of sorrow, hope, and good versus evil, The Girl Who Drank the Moon provides so much for readers to love. It truly is a heartwarming, magical tale.

 REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Newbery Medal Winner 2017

New York Times Bestseller

From the New York Times: “Barnhill’s language is lyrical and reminiscent of traditional fairy tales, but ­never childish or stereotypical. She writes impressively from a variety of points of view, not only those of Luna and Xan, but also of Sister Ignatia and the ­mother who has lost her mind. Magic abounds, both beautiful and dangerous… “The Girl Who Drank the Moon” is as exciting and layered as classics like “Peter Pan” or “The Wizard of Oz.” It too is about what it means to grow up and find where we belong. The young reader who devours it now just for fun will remember its lessons for years to come.”

From Kirkus Reviews: "Replete with traditional motifs, this nontraditional fairy tale boasts sinister and endearing characters magical elements, strong storytelling, and unleashed forces...Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick." 

CONNECTIONS

Use to talk to children about growing up and making the right decisions in life.

Read more books by Kelly Barnhill such as:

• ·         The Mostly True Story of Jack. ISBN 9780316056724
• ·         The Unlicensed Magician. ISBN 9871848639188
• ·         The Witch’s Boy. ISBN 9781616205485

Read more magical books with young protagonists such as:

• ·         Applegate, Katherine. Crenshaw. ISBN 9781250043238
• ·         Coville, Bruce. The Enchanted Files: Cursed. ISBN 9780385392501
• ·         L’Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. ISBN 9780312367541