The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
The New York Times Bestseller
An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2016
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016
An Amazon Top 20 Best Book of 2016
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2016
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2016
Named to KirkusReviews’ Best Books of 2016
2017 Booklist Youth Editors’ Choice
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. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Xan rescues the 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 girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge--with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Deadly birds with uncertain intentions flock nearby. A volcano, quiet for centuries, rumbles just beneath the earth’s surface. And the woman with the Tiger’s heart is on the prowl . . .
The Newbery Medal winner from the author of the highly acclaimed novel The Witch’s Boy.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative emphasizes peace-loving values and avoids graphic violence, culminating in a thoughtful resolution rather than a violent climax. The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. It deals with themes of fear and secrets but in a manner suitable for children.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have violence?
The narrative emphasizes peace-loving values and avoids graphic violence, culminating in a thoughtful resolution rather than a violent climax.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have scary content?
The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. It deals with themes of fear and secrets but in a manner suitable for children.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have religious themes?
The book contains spiritual undertones, but it is noted that these are not explicitly Christian. Phrases like 'In the beginning, there was only Bog' suggest a non-traditional spiritual framework.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have racial/cultural content?
While the protagonist is described as having amber skin and curly black hair, race is not a central theme or plot point in the narrative.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have profanity?
There is no indication of profanity in the book. The language is appropriate for the target audience.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have climate change?
There are no explicit themes related to climate activism or environmentalism in the book. The focus remains on fantasy and character-driven storytelling.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The narrative is focused on fantasy elements and character development.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have gender roles?
The book features a strong female protagonist and includes elements of casual feminism, subverting traditional gender norms. This is evident in the character dynamics and the narrative's focus on female empowerment.
Does The Girl Who Drank the Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly mentioned in the book. The focus is on the strong female protagonist and her journey rather than any LGBTQ+ representation.
