The Girl Who Drank the Moon
on Goodreads (108,060)
What’s inside...
A young girl named Luna, raised by a kind witch named Xan in the forest, only realizes her magical abilities when she approaches her 13th birthday. Xan had rescued Luna as a baby from the Protectorate, where she was offered as a sacrifice to keep the witch from terrorizing the town. Xan nourishes Luna with moonlight instead of starlight, which fills her with extraordinary magic. To keep Luna safe, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. As Luna's 13th birthday approaches, her magic starts to emerge. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate seeks to kill the witch to free his people. It soon falls upon Luna to protect those who have protected her, even if it means the end of the safe world she has known. Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.
Age
8-11
Length
388 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Luna
Ethyne
The Madwoman
Antain
Fyrian
Glerk
Xan
Sister Ignatia
Grand Elder Gherland
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience when Luna discovered her magical abilities? How do you think you would feel in her place?
Why do you think the people of the Protectorate believe they must sacrifice a baby each year? How does this affect everyone in the community?
How do the characters in the story show bravery or kindness? Can you think of a time when you were brave or kind like them?
What do you think is the importance of the 'truth' in the story? How did knowing or not knowing the truth affect the characters?
If you could have a magical power like Luna, what would it be and why? How would you use it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by validating their feelings and showing genuine interest in their responses.
Draw parallels between the story and real-life situations to make the discussion more relatable and meaningful.
Ask follow-up questions based on their responses to delve deeper into their understanding and perspective of the story’s themes.
Create a comfortable and encouraging environment for the discussion, perhaps setting aside a specific time after reading to talk about the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of love and sacrifice
Explanation: In 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon,' the character Xan demonstrates deep love and sacrifice by rescuing abandoned children and nourishing them with starlight. Her actions underscore the themes of selflessness and devotion.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of caring for others and the impact of selfless actions in building strong, loving relationships in their families and communities.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: The protagonist, Luna, is different because of the magical powers she accidentally acquires. Throughout the book, characters learn to accept and embrace her differences, which highlights the value of diversity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children appreciate individual differences in their peers, promoting inclusiveness and empathy in school and social settings.
Example Lesson: The quest for knowledge and truth
Explanation: The storyline progresses as Luna seeks to uncover the hidden truths about her past and the world around her. This quest emphasizes the importance of curiosity and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be inquisitive and persistent in their educational journeys, whether it involves asking questions in class, exploring new hobbies, or reading more about subjects that fascinate them.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deception
Explanation: The village elders use deception to control and instill fear among the people, which ultimately leads to disruption and conflict. This aspect of the story highlights the negative impacts of deceit.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of honesty and the potential harm that lies and manipulation can cause in relationships and communities.