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The Girl Who Drank the Moon,
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Kelly
I wrote this with a fifth grade reader in mind - but the cool thing about Middle Grade Fiction in general is that it allows for "Big Tent Storytelling". In other words, everyone is invited: little kids, big kids, teenagers, adults, old people. Everyone. The story manifests differently for different people - just like my experience reading THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE as an adult is different than the experience I had as a teenager, which is different than the experience I had as a child. Same book, different stories. There are some scary bits in this story, but no scarier than any other fairy tale. If they can handle the prose (and I don't pull any punches with the difficulty; I always expect my readers to come with their A game), then they can handle the content. I hope that helps!
Brittany
As an adult I find this book to be a wonderful decamp from my 'adult' reads. Sometimes I just want to escape into lush words and an untroublesome story. I loved it. The book was an especially pleasant audiobook! Hearing the prose read aloud is dreamy and I highly recommend it.
Shelli
Interesting to read the replies from younger readers. As a teacher of fifth grade, I would say about a 1/3 of a class would be able to read the book and make some pretty strong connections to the text. Another 1/3 could read it, could float through some holes, and could talk about the book.
The wonderful thing about reading is that the more experienced we are with texts, the greater the understanding. I would suspect that there are many middle school readers who would not fully understand some of the themes of this book. I don't not see this as a "typical fifth grade text". I would say it is a bit higher. There are a lot, a lot, of challenging vocabulary words. If you are a regular fantasy reader, then you have the benefit of pulling from other books that you have read. If you are not, then, I would argue that there are many ideas that are novel to younger readers.
Verdict: Strong fifth grade readers or fifth grade/fourth-grade readers who have read a lot of fantasy texts. Definitely not too childish for middle school.
The wonderful thing about reading is that the more experienced we are with texts, the greater the understanding. I would suspect that there are many middle school readers who would not fully understand some of the themes of this book. I don't not see this as a "typical fifth grade text". I would say it is a bit higher. There are a lot, a lot, of challenging vocabulary words. If you are a regular fantasy reader, then you have the benefit of pulling from other books that you have read. If you are not, then, I would argue that there are many ideas that are novel to younger readers.
Verdict: Strong fifth grade readers or fifth grade/fourth-grade readers who have read a lot of fantasy texts. Definitely not too childish for middle school.
Jean
I think adults would enjoy this too. Sometimes I wonder why every book with a child as the main character is classified as a children's book/
Elle
I'm in 7th grade and I think that it is aimed at a lower audience but my 25 year old teacher enjoyed it just fine.
Melanie
I really enjoyed the novel myself, but decided not to pass it on to my 5th grader yet. She's very sensitive, always has been, and I think the story has some very dark moments and themes that she's not ready for. The abandoned babies especially would have been too much for her to process. So I'm putting it on hold for a few more years. I know eventually she will love the lyricism of the prose and the bravery of Luna. Just not quite yet. But this is why I often pre-read books for her. She trusts me to warn her and doesn't like stumbling into things that are too much too soon.
Angie
if you read a lot of books at a young age then this book would be fine if you're ten. (like me when I read it)
Karen Andrews
My ten year old fifth grader and 14 year old 8th grader both loved it, as did I!
Marisa Martin
I'm using it in my 6-8th grade Science Fiction/Fantasy elective classes, but honestly, I loved the book myself. I would say it is good for 5th grade on up to adult. I purchased copies for my niece, my mother and two of my very adult sisters and they adore the book as well!
Fiorda
a'm a new reader.Can you tell me how i can read it online?
stansult
My 10 year-old loves it so far, and so do I (I’m 42). So I guess at least 10−42 ages are ok :)
Tim O'neill
As I said in my review, I read this book to my 6 and 3 yos, and they both really seemed to enjoy it, tho of course I don't really think the 3 yo knew what was happening. But we read a chapter or so every night before bed, and they always wanted to talk about it in the morning. We even made a Lego version of the Sisters' tower!
That said, there is some advanced vocabulary that was prolly more accessible for them because I was reading it to them, but if my 6 yo were 3 years old and reading to himself, he might've had some trouble with them.
That said, there is some advanced vocabulary that was prolly more accessible for them because I was reading it to them, but if my 6 yo were 3 years old and reading to himself, he might've had some trouble with them.
Samantha Anhalt
Though this is a middle reader, and fifth grade was the author's target, as an elementary librarian and a middle school ELA teacher, what I commonly find is that this book's length can be off-putting for upper elementary and lower middle school students. It is wonderful, though, so if you can get them to read it, they will likely enjoy it thoroughly!
Lilia L
I'm in 6th grade and I think it is a good fit. I also read this in 4th and 5th grade and loved it.
Tom
I read this in my class! I finished the entire book.
Allison
11 and up depending on lexile
Sandra
Ages 12 and up. I think younger readers would not get "the message (es)."
Addy
I am reading this in 6th grade. I would say that is the highest level it should be read at, but 7th grade would be fine. I would not read it at 7 or below. :)
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