13 Feb Book Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill was the winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal. It’s not hard to see why. This is a story with complex themes, but presented in a way that is understandable for middle grade readers. Two of the more prominent themes of this story are grief and hope.
The main plot of this book follows Luna, Xan, and their friends: ancient bog monster Glerk, and lovable tiny dragon Fyrian as they learn how to manage Luna’s growing magical abilities and all that comes with them. The book also follows Antain in the Protectorate and his conflict with the Elders and Sister Ignatia, the leaders of the land. The Girl Who Drank the Moon is an exciting fantasy read. It’s set in a classic faroff, fantastical land, but feels relevant and relatable to real life!
This book is a middle grade book. It features chapters from different characters’ perspectives and uses complex language and imagery. The Girl Who Drank the Moon has a Lexile Score of 640L, an AR book level of 4.8, and is worth 12 AR points. Overall, this is a very engaging and fun read even with some of the heavier themes and moments!
If you enjoy this book, check out The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson or Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin!
Written by Hope M., Youth Services Library Assistant
