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The Girl Who Drank the Moon | October 26, 2016

by Kelly Barnhill (Algonquin Young Readers, June 2016)

Let’s start this off by saying that if you did not read Barnhill’s previous children’s novel, The Witch’s Boy, you should. The Girl Who Drank the Moon is another enchanting tale from an author who creates thoughtful, playful stories full of magic and whimsy.

Once a year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby in the woods to protect their town from an evil witch. But this witch is far from evil; she rescues each child, taking them to villages on the other side of the forest to be loved and cared for. She feeds the babies starlight on the long journey, but what happens when you feed a baby moonlight by accident?

The Girl Who Drank the Moon is more than just a fairy tale. It is a story about the lengths people will go to protect themselves and their loved ones, as well as the consequences they face in the aftermath. It is also a story about hope, friendship and all the other things that make life worth living. Barnhill does a masterful job in building a fantastical world where characters come alive and jump off the page, while also revealing truths about the world around us.

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