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Man in the Moon
JANINE IS PREPARED for a sticky, boring summer on her family’s land in the middle of nowhere. Far from town and with only her ailing brother Ricky for company, Janine spends half her time stuck inside with him, wishing that their mother would let them out to play. But when Mr. Lunas—a mysterious man who saved Janine’s father’s life in the war— arrives through the cornfields, strange things begin happening. Ricky sets his heart on building a go-cart. Mr. Lunas eats them out of house and home, then suddenly stops eating at all. And then Ricky’s health takes a turn for the worse, and it looks like Janine’s world is about to spin out of control. Janine’s overprotective mom locks Ricky in his bedroom with her, and Janine is desperate to find a way to say goodbye. In the end, it’s Mr. Lunas who comes to her rescue, encouraging her to break Ricky free—and then giving them both an enormous gift. Thought-provoking and gracefully written, this short literary novel is a small gem.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Dotti Enderle
108 books40 followersI'm the author of literally (get it) dozens of books for children.
Born in Killeen, Texas on a cold January day in 1954. My family moved around a lot, allowing me to, over the years, live on a farm, in an historic home and always near rivers or bayous. My playthings were hula-hoops, old typewriters and a wooden leg named Charlie. (Yep, you read that right.) If you want a true glimpse of my childhood dreams, read my novel, Man in the Moon. The character Janine allows you inside my young mixed-up mind.
I’ve lived most of my life in Houston and still live there today. You’ll find me here reading, writing and smiling.
Born in Killeen, Texas on a cold January day in 1954. My family moved around a lot, allowing me to, over the years, live on a farm, in an historic home and always near rivers or bayous. My playthings were hula-hoops, old typewriters and a wooden leg named Charlie. (Yep, you read that right.) If you want a true glimpse of my childhood dreams, read my novel, Man in the Moon. The character Janine allows you inside my young mixed-up mind.
I’ve lived most of my life in Houston and still live there today. You’ll find me here reading, writing and smiling.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 6, 2011
This had a rainbow of flavors ... mystery, fantasy, heart, family bonding, hope, etc. A wonderful short read that packs a lot of depth and reading between the lines. Hence, leaving you with unanswered questions, but the heart and soul of the story was so moving that it didn't matter.
A wonderful book, and vaguely recalling, a wonderful movie as well!
***Find this review and more at Jinky is Reading
A wonderful book, and vaguely recalling, a wonderful movie as well!
***Find this review and more at Jinky is Reading
April 8, 2009
Young Janine plans on spending the long, hot, sticky summer stuck inside because her ailing brother is not allowed outside by a somewhat over-protective mother. But when a interesting, very skinny strange comes to visit, their lives may change forever.
Poetically written, this book will not appeal to the masses. You need to find that child that is incredibly cerebral; someone who will understand the metaphor of Mr. Lunas.
Poetically written, this book will not appeal to the masses. You need to find that child that is incredibly cerebral; someone who will understand the metaphor of Mr. Lunas.
March 14, 2011
Wonderful story of a young girl in Texas and her family dealing with "life." Great descriptions of Texas in the summer and and life as a child growing up with uncertainty. Loved the fantasy entwined in the story and that we can still believe in mystery and have hope.
March 20, 2026
I can understand why my younger self was so fascinated by this book. Who is the man in the moon? Where do hope, religion, fortune-telling, and naïveté intersect? What in the hell does it mean to have a backwards gizzard?
Only thing in recent memory to make me think a trip to the south might be nice. The persistent sticky heat described was all too familiar, but the old school American culture elements add a charm that I crave to really know.
Thank u for reminding me why we write books with silly little stories
Only thing in recent memory to make me think a trip to the south might be nice. The persistent sticky heat described was all too familiar, but the old school American culture elements add a charm that I crave to really know.
Thank u for reminding me why we write books with silly little stories
August 27, 2008
The main character in the book is a little girl named Janine. The year is 1961. It is summer and she lives in rural Texas. Janine is a long ways a way from town and does not have any other kids around to play with. She does have her little brother, Ricky, to hang out with though. Ricky is sick and their mom does not let him go outside and play, so Janine is also stuck inside with nothing to do.
One afternoon, a man emerges from the cornfield across from their house. His name is Mr. Lunas, and Janine's dad recognizes this man from WWII. Mr. Lunas is the man that saved his life! Since he saved his life, he feels as if he owes this man a lot, so he invited Mr. Lunas to stay. Janine's mom is not too fond of Mr. Lunas, but Janine and Ricky like him. One night he collected moonbeams in a coffee can and let Janine taste them.
Ricky becomes very sick, and they were preparing for his death. They do not have money for the hospital, and Ricky just seems to be getting worse. Janine refused to let her brother die, so she comes up with a plan. Her and Mr. Lunas find out that the can change the world!
A fun activity I would like to do with a class that has read this book would have them create a birds eye view picture or map of the house and farm that Janine lives in. They could include the chicken coop, the cows, the cornfield, the house, and the shady tree that she played under.
Another activity I think would be fun to do with this book, is to have the students act as if they were either Ricky, or Janine, and write a letter to either a relative or a friend about how their summer is going. This could be done during or after the book. Or it could be done several times throughout the reading of the book.
One afternoon, a man emerges from the cornfield across from their house. His name is Mr. Lunas, and Janine's dad recognizes this man from WWII. Mr. Lunas is the man that saved his life! Since he saved his life, he feels as if he owes this man a lot, so he invited Mr. Lunas to stay. Janine's mom is not too fond of Mr. Lunas, but Janine and Ricky like him. One night he collected moonbeams in a coffee can and let Janine taste them.
Ricky becomes very sick, and they were preparing for his death. They do not have money for the hospital, and Ricky just seems to be getting worse. Janine refused to let her brother die, so she comes up with a plan. Her and Mr. Lunas find out that the can change the world!
A fun activity I would like to do with a class that has read this book would have them create a birds eye view picture or map of the house and farm that Janine lives in. They could include the chicken coop, the cows, the cornfield, the house, and the shady tree that she played under.
Another activity I think would be fun to do with this book, is to have the students act as if they were either Ricky, or Janine, and write a letter to either a relative or a friend about how their summer is going. This could be done during or after the book. Or it could be done several times throughout the reading of the book.
December 30, 2014
This story takes place in 1961 Texas. It is summer break. Janine's brother Ricky has had a lifelong illness and struggles with the heat. A visitor comes--Mr. Lunas who saved Janine's father's life in the war. Janine's family is struggling with poverty, her father cannot find work and they are unable to afford the care Ricky needs. Mr. Lunas is an unusual man. He grows fat with the waxing moon cycle and thins again as the moon wanes. Janine witnesses him working some sort of magic and believes him to be the man in the moon.
I struggled to wrap my head around this story. Why did Mr. Lunas come a second time to save this particular family if he is indeed the man in the moon? Who is the man in the moon? What was the gift Mr. Lunas left behind for Janine and what was she to do with it? Obviously this story involves a bit of magic because everything magically got better because Mr. Lunas appeared.
This story was very well written, but quite abstract. It is advertized for grades 3-7. I think the upper grades of this range will get more out of it because of the difficult topics and the complex story line.
I struggled to wrap my head around this story. Why did Mr. Lunas come a second time to save this particular family if he is indeed the man in the moon? Who is the man in the moon? What was the gift Mr. Lunas left behind for Janine and what was she to do with it? Obviously this story involves a bit of magic because everything magically got better because Mr. Lunas appeared.
This story was very well written, but quite abstract. It is advertized for grades 3-7. I think the upper grades of this range will get more out of it because of the difficult topics and the complex story line.
July 4, 2009
YES for our library.
This is a "nice" story... not particularly ground breaking, but certainly one of interest to some students. Of concern, however, is the lack of attention the author pays to Janine's sick brother (what exactly is he ill with? ... and will kids pick up on it?). Unfortunately this all comes to head when the boy is taken ill and all of our main characters start worrying that he may die (was his sickness really that serious?! ...I had no idea). The story seems to hop from curiosity over their strange visit to mass hysteria at the lethal state of the boy... a little jarring, if not melodramatic.
Still, the book's enjoyable enough.
This is a "nice" story... not particularly ground breaking, but certainly one of interest to some students. Of concern, however, is the lack of attention the author pays to Janine's sick brother (what exactly is he ill with? ... and will kids pick up on it?). Unfortunately this all comes to head when the boy is taken ill and all of our main characters start worrying that he may die (was his sickness really that serious?! ...I had no idea). The story seems to hop from curiosity over their strange visit to mass hysteria at the lethal state of the boy... a little jarring, if not melodramatic.
Still, the book's enjoyable enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2008
Enderle's wonderfully detailed descriptions of a hot Texas summer and that time period rang true, as did her story of a young girl living with uncertainty and mystery.
March 20, 2010
Set in the early 60's. Nice little contemporary book with a fantasy twist to it.
October 28, 2012
This book was AMAZING!!!!!!!!It had a great ending with a cool twist. This is a great book for
all ages.Although,the author should give a more interesting beginning.
all ages.Although,the author should give a more interesting beginning.
March 26, 2012
It takes place in the time when Texas had a big drought. R.
January 23, 2009
The voice was beautiful but the supernatural part is not my thing.
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April 14, 2019This is an interesting story. Dotti Enderle does a great job of helping you feel the stickiness and heat of that rural Texas farm. The characters are well developed, each with their own role to play. This is Janine's story, but Enderle makes it easy to empathize with Daddy, Momma, and Ricky. A perfect summer read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews