Thursday, May 7, 2020

Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden

Title: Good Moon Rising
Author: Nancy Garden
Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween
Publication Date: September 5, 2017 (originally October 1996)

Format: eBook
Price: $8.69
Page Count: 241
ISBN-13: 9780374327460

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)
Interest Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)

Annotation: Two girls meet and fall in love while rehearsing a school play.

Plot and Content Summary: When new girl Kerry Ann Socrides joins Jan and her theater friends in their school's production of The Crucible, the two quickly bond during rehearsals. Even though Jan tried out for this part, she was assigned stage manager and assistant—something she finds unimportant. However, she agrees that Kerry would be the best fit, and even offers to help her practice. The two quickly become friends, and then something more.

Evaluation: I was expecting this to be outdated, but I was pleasantly surprised! This is a simple story about two girls falling in love and facing negative responses from opposing peers. Although the writing and story was not necessarily captivating, I love that Garden weaves in their relationship with their growing love of theatre. Reading this would probably be more powerful having read The Crucible, because I'm sure there are similar themes and such, but teens will still enjoy it nonetheless.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Girls who have unspoken feelings and are trying to figure out their sexual identities may find this book relatable. Jan and Kerry face mean comments and bullying because they love each other, and this can help some teen girls feel seen.

Issues Present: Explicit language, LGBTQ+

"Fag" is used multiple times in a derogatory manner by an angry peer and "n*gger" is used once—but not directed at anyone, and only to prove a point. Adults may have an issue just with this book centered around two girls who love each other. But like all other controversial titles, the library collects books that represent ALL voices.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • How did Jan's perception of being stage manager and assistant change, and why?
  • How do Jan and Kerry's classmates respond to their relationship? Is this reflective of real life?
  • Why do you think Kent was so hellbent on "exposing" Jan and Kerry?

Genre/Subgenres: LGBTQ+ fiction; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Odd One Out by Nic Stone; Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters; Look Both Ways by Alison Cherry; The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

References
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