The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal)

I read this book in 2021, but it haunts me still almost 5 years on, in all its beautiful imagery and the mystical plot that Kelly Barnhill weaves so magically with her captivating writing. There are genuinely people in this world, who feed off the misery of others. It is these parallels that you can draw from fantasy to reality that make this a standout novel. I loved every word. From the very first chapter and the allegorical writing style, I was amazed at how quickly I sank into the world she created. I still feel that pace of urgency and movement, which is something so powerful and difficult to dramatise in literature. The carrying of “weight” or burden on one’s back or in one’s arms. The heavy duty of love and protecting something vulnerable from harm. The unexpected love as an unforeseen result of humanity and being a moral person. The meeting of all the characters at the climactic end when all is revealed and undone. It’s mesmerising and I cannot urge you enough to read this book. You will be as magnetised towards it as I was and I am about to read it again now as the Thanksgiving Holidays draw nearer. I couldn’t put this down, I completed this book within 48hrs and the delay was only because I had to sleep and take care of my newborn at the time! He is now 5yrs old and I have a second who is 16months. Let’s hope I will have some time to myself to enjoy this book once more and relish the writing again!

I LOVE this book now...this is my favorite book. Just when I read the first word I was soo happy I got this book! I’m surprised. I hope you are too. This is perfect for ANY age. I think I should read this whenever I’m bored!!! You should give the book full stars like me!!! I know I’m a boy but this is perfect. I know I’m writing a lot but... it’s only because I LOVE to read. My own dad when I was little said: Always smell the book. And ya know why ppl? That’s because it helps you read better and get focused and relaxed. If you think my dad was right, then tap that helpful button. Please do so because I love this book so much, that If God said I’d you want your book back, you have To destroy all your other books! You know what I would say?? J would say I will destroy my books. Because I love that book...and I’m not abandoning it or letting go of that magical book! Never.-I’ve got to say you did a good job. Not just good-but uplifting! Every good word. If you did not enjoy this book. Then...I’m sorry you don’t understand how GOOD this book is. Ik there’s a lot of words but you have to read my faithful words-to understand that book The girl who drank the moon is the best book!-plus read her other books. LETS GO for the author! Make more Good books try to make Good books like the girl who drank the moon. If witches were real then you should be one. This is a great book for adults and kids...pls say mine is Helpful if I were you I would say this is....and I and definitely making more of these likes or dislikes. But i PROMISE I will never dislike this beautiful, encouraging, nice, cute, cool, and good story. Thx! Thank you!!! I am liking this story a bunch! Have a good morning, night, or weekend. Thx for your feedback! “ And thx for giving these likes to her too!” If your a boy write:enjoyed if your a girl write: peace IF you enjoyed. So thank you anyways... hope you enjoyed I’m 39 years by the way. My name is: Jeremy Roggenkamp. If you know me say was up Man! So I know. If you’re Daren I’m just gonna say hi! I That was my boss. Now I’m going g General. If you’re name is... Emily... hi! If you’re name is Alice... hi! If you’re name is kolton hi! If you’re name is Jessica hi! If you’re name is Danny hi! If you’re name is Maggie Hi! If you’re name is Allyce Hi! If you’re name is Jerry hi! If you’re name is Dan Hi! If you’re name is Jeremy like me... Double Hi! If you’re name is Ella Hi! If your name is Anna hi! And I’m just Gonna say:bye. bye bye!

I read this with my kids and it was an incredible story, that grabbed our attention from page one. The writing was like poetry and a pleasure to read out loud!

What do an old witch, a magical baby and a fearful society all have in common? A thread of magic that connects them all through different perspectives. Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon is a great young adult fantasy novel that demonstrates how magic comes in many different forms and is viewed in many different ways. One of the main characters, Xan, the old witch in the wood, who is mystical as most witches are, is filled with ancient power. She’s always been magic, infused with it centuries ago. Xan is basically a kind old individual trying to use her magic as beneficially as she can. However, the Protectorate doesn’t see her that way. Being the city on the outside of the wood, they have reason to be cautious of the dangers in the forest. Their solution is to sacrifice a baby to the witch every year so she doesn't destroy them. The day of sacrifice is a yearly ceremony to keep the witch in the wood pleased. The Protectorate has fear of magical destruction. However mothers go mad when their children are to be taken away and left in the woods. In fact, sorrow and madness follow any mention of magic In the Protectorate. Something marvelous can come from all of this sorrow and fear, though. Luna, a sacrificed child, is a fount of young beautiful magic. Xan took Luna as she does all babies but was so in awe of Luna’s beauty that Xan accidentally feeds her moonlight instead of starlight. As a result, Luna has a crack of blue and silver magic in her mind, waiting for the floods and waves to come crashing upon her shores to unleash her own magic. When this happens, this child becomes so whimsical that flowers sprout from each of her footsteps. Luna shows readers that you can have magic in you and can use it every day without even knowing about it. You can think magic is one thing but the perspectives of a witch trying her best, a supernatural baby, and a dreadful community show how much variety magic can contain. And they are only part of the creative world in this book. We also meet a madwoman, a scar-faced boy, a swamp monster, and a small dragon. I’d give this novel four out of five stars. I am not a huge fantasy fan but this book drew me into its fantastical world. Perhaps you’ll find yourself like me, getting lost in the world of magic, unable to put it down! Written by Jenna M. 8th grader

I bought this book for my 5-year-old, but ended up getting really engrossed in it. It is a multi-layered story, and at the very surface, it challenges the old notions (that all witches, sorcery and extra-natural abilities are evil and must be destroyed). The characters are simple enough for a child, but the meanings will change for the reader when they get older... there is love, loss, heroism, and upending of the usual myths e.g. monsters are killers. In fact, I think I caught a bit of irony in that the portrayal of the true villain is that of someone who appears to be a member of a religious order. It could easily be said to be a criticism of modern-day religions, especially those that focus on sinfulness and sorrow. It is a thinking book, written for thinkers and would-be thinkers because it challenges the common view of mythological creatures and of institutions that people sometimes revere too much. Pick it up... really worth the read.

Mi hija lee mucho y se ha vuelto un desafío encontrarle libros interesantes y cautivadores para su edad - 10 años. Así que probé con este, basado en todas las reseñas, y me alegra haberlo hecho. ¡Ya va por la mitad y le encanta!

Un bellissimo titolo da prendere alla lettera (ironico il tentativo della traduzione italiana di renderlo più ultraterreno) e poi una storia di perdite e ricongiungimenti, amore filiale e la lotta fra il bene e il male spesso celati sotto false sembianze nel governo della città. "...there surely wasn't a witch. ...The belief in her-made for frightened people" (pagina 12) -è un esempio delle varie occasioni che la scrittrice dà di trovare una chiave di lettura del contemporaneo in questo fantasy per ragazzi. In generale il livello di inglese come seconda lingua è fra B1 e B2 ma col dizionario alla mano: a gnarled tree; a smothered flame; guffaws.

L'histoire est très originale et sympa !

One of my very favorite books. Highly recommend for kids 11+ and adults.