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Curse of a Winter Moon
In sixteenth-century France, ruled by a Church that overtaxes peasants and burns heretics, Marius must care for his six-year-old brother, whose birth took their mother's life, and whom the villagers believe will become a werewolf.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2000
2 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Mary Casanova
49 books204 followersMary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter--and stories that kids can't put down.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."
Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."
Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.
Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.
Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 1, 2013
I have to admit that this was a book I bought under the excuse of "maybe my nephew will grow into this" when really what I meant was, "Ooh, a kids book with potential werewolf stuff! Mine!"
In actuality, this is a historically plausible book set during the birth of Protestantism (and Calvinism and Lutherism) in a part of France where such thought left one branded a heretic and burned alive. It is a darkly superstitious tale, and one where the main character's brother was born on Christmas Eve, and therefore considered, by local superstition, to be a loup-garou (werewolf).
The story focuses more on the elder son, our hero of the tale, as he tries to cope with his own fears about his brother, his duty to protect his brother (his mother's dying request), and the awareness that anyone different is in danger in this paranoid city. The deft touches of historical realism were well received by me (he wakes, at one point, picks a tick off from behind his ear, and throws it into the fire, in a very casual, 'this happens every day' sort of way).
Definitely a solid bit of work for any child interested in the way things were, and has a nice message tucked in there about blindly following a hateful dogma without question, and just how terrible a thing it can be to do so.
In actuality, this is a historically plausible book set during the birth of Protestantism (and Calvinism and Lutherism) in a part of France where such thought left one branded a heretic and burned alive. It is a darkly superstitious tale, and one where the main character's brother was born on Christmas Eve, and therefore considered, by local superstition, to be a loup-garou (werewolf).
The story focuses more on the elder son, our hero of the tale, as he tries to cope with his own fears about his brother, his duty to protect his brother (his mother's dying request), and the awareness that anyone different is in danger in this paranoid city. The deft touches of historical realism were well received by me (he wakes, at one point, picks a tick off from behind his ear, and throws it into the fire, in a very casual, 'this happens every day' sort of way).
Definitely a solid bit of work for any child interested in the way things were, and has a nice message tucked in there about blindly following a hateful dogma without question, and just how terrible a thing it can be to do so.
May 21, 2017
This book was great a wonderful story on a child born on Christmas eve who has a curse. The older brother does all he can for his brother so he may survive. Villagers are frightened of this baby and want him gone. How far will the older brother go to protect his little brother.
January 14, 2023
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I can't see myself rereading it. That said, it's a really good book that I would recommend to anyone homeschooling their middle-grader who is doing a unit on witch trials and/or Huguenots.
April 21, 2020
A good (albeit easy) read by a Minnesota author.
October 12, 2024
A quick and easy read about two brothers and superstition
February 9, 2018
Twelve-year-old Marius has been burdened with the care of his little brother, Jean-Pierre, ever since their mother died in childbirth. But Jean-Pierre was born on Christmas Eve and the villagers believe that he carries the mark of the loup garou – the werewolf. With the longest night of the year approaching and the villagers thirsting for heretic blood, will Marius be able to protect his little brother from the clutches of the Catholic Church?
POSITIVE: The story is short and reasonably entertaining. It’s obviously written for children in the 10-14 age range and makes for a great introduction to the Inquisition and schism between the Catholic and Protestant Churches. I could definitely see quite a few teachable moments scattered throughout the novel.
NEGATIVE: However, there just didn’t seem to be that much of a point to the story. I never felt swept into the story, or even that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. There just wasn’t much enthusiasm in the narrative. Admittedly, it could just be a subjective conflict with the narrative style, but I usually get swept into stories – even poorly-written ones. The ending fellt a little arbitrary as well.
Overall, I really can’t say that anything was bad about the story, it just didn’t take my interest. It’s a shame because the subject matter is definitely up my alley. As I said above, it’s worth reading if only for the teachable moments. It’s short enough that it doesn’t really need more of an argument than that for its usefulness.
POSITIVE: The story is short and reasonably entertaining. It’s obviously written for children in the 10-14 age range and makes for a great introduction to the Inquisition and schism between the Catholic and Protestant Churches. I could definitely see quite a few teachable moments scattered throughout the novel.
NEGATIVE: However, there just didn’t seem to be that much of a point to the story. I never felt swept into the story, or even that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. There just wasn’t much enthusiasm in the narrative. Admittedly, it could just be a subjective conflict with the narrative style, but I usually get swept into stories – even poorly-written ones. The ending fellt a little arbitrary as well.
Overall, I really can’t say that anything was bad about the story, it just didn’t take my interest. It’s a shame because the subject matter is definitely up my alley. As I said above, it’s worth reading if only for the teachable moments. It’s short enough that it doesn’t really need more of an argument than that for its usefulness.
January 16, 2009
I came across this book on a themed booklist somewhere, possibly either a historical fiction list or a werewolf list. I had thought it sounded interesting due to the werewolf angle, but now that I've read it, I think I must have found it on a historical fiction list. There are no actual werewolves in this short book. The story is set in a somewhat obscure period of history: France during the beginnings of Protestantism. Superstitions about werewolves are all over this book, but no actual werewolves... so I was somewhat disappointed. Luckily, the book was much shorter than I'd thought. But it's probably not a good sign when I find the historical notes at the end more interesting than the actual story. I was rather surprised that the author did not use Sabine Baring-Gould's The Book of Werewolves as a reference, since as far as I know it's one of the earliest books on werewolves and details several executions of werewolves, but it was written during the 1800s and so maybe wasn't relevant to this time period.
March 11, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! The storyline, characters, and events swept me up and made this part of history come all the more alive for me. The book is told through first-person, a twelve year old boy named Marius -- and this book would be great for any teacher encouraging boys to read. His dying mother tells him to take care of his younger brother, Jean-Pierre, born with bad luck on Christmas Eve, and when Jean-Pierre is six years old, France is in turmoil and wanting to put to death anyone who speaks out against the Church. Marius' family is targeted, and Marius must make sense of family secrets and put others' lives before his own. A very, very good read!!
August 8, 2010
I am on the fence about this book and had to with liked it in the end. Its an odd little historical fiction both too old and too young for its target age group. The writing is very you but the content is old (coupled with a bibliography and an author's note about the historical period). I definitely enjoyed the historical work put into the book but am on the fence about the story itself.
May 18, 2017
France, 1565. Persecution of the Huguenots is intensified for one family when one of them is suspected of being a werewolf.
July 19, 2015
A moving story.
July 22, 2015
Lots going on in this one. Great historical detail that will be perfect for our new social studies standards. Now if I could just get the kids to read historical fiction...
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November 13, 2015A Youth's book about France in the 1600's where people believed in werewolves and heretics. Marius, Jean Pierre, their father and uncle Gabriel. Superstition and religious ferver. Good book.
August 9, 2016
Great book for reluctant middle school readers. This would be recommended for students stuck in only reading limited genres.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews