Reading Response: Fantasy and Science Fiction

 The Girl Who Drank the Moon 

Barnhill, K. The Gril Who Drank the Moon. Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. 400 pages. Tr. $19.99, ISBN 9781616205676

Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon, is set in a dystopian world where a witch lives in the woods and requires a baby to be left for her every year, presumably to be devoured. This can be further from the turn as the witch (Xan) is actually a healer and is puzzled by this practice but ultimately gives the babies up for adoption to a family on the other side of the mountain. One year Xan takes a liking to a baby named Luna and feeds her moonlight instead of starlight, thus making her "enmagicked".  

The plot of the text makes it so the story moves from reality to the imaginative without breaking the credibility of the storyline. The story has various themes that are woven throughout. Some of the predominant themes that touches on the universal truth are that of pain or sorrow and family. In particular what happens if we do not acknowledge our pain and lock it away. For instance the biological mother of Luna goes "mad" when she is forced to surrender Luna to the forest. Instead of addressing the mother's grief she is simple locked away. The value of family, both biological and adopted family is another important topic. The narrative writing allows for the reader to follow along and understand the symbolic significance of these themes from various perspectives. For example we get to see the villain's perspective along with the other characters. At times the vocabulary choices can be more advanced for 5th graders, it is nothing that truly takes away from the story. 

The style of the story that the author creates, sets the story up for success. Barnhill is able to skillfully utilize allegories and words that create images. We see the author set up the political lessons of how good people are necessary to challenge the status quo and hate. The author also hints at how fear can keep you from having your own thoughts and opinions. 

Verdict: Barnhill has a creative imagination that is apparent to the readers. The novel encourages consideration of the emotional effects of change and conflict. 

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Mbalia, K. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. Disney Hyperion, 2019. 528 pages. Tr. $ 8.99, ISBN 9781368042413

Tristan suffers the lost of his friend but cherishes the journal on West African myths that he left behind. Then a mysterious creature tries to steal the precious journal. In his pursuit for the journal, Tristian finds himself transported or "punch a hole" into another reality called MidPass. 

Mbalia's novel does a great job at allowing the story to move from reality to the imaginative without breaking the credibility of the plot. Told in the first person perspective of Tristan, we get to see this story unfold through his strong and sometimes sassy personality. The setting of the story reflect originality on the part of the author. With Mbalia's use of language that employs alliteration and amazing imagery, we get a folkloric setting that comes to life. For example we see the "bone ships" and "fetterlings" mentioned in the story. This is symbolizes slave ships and chains that reference the slave trade. 

The author skillfully uses words and allegories to create the image of the United States and the topic of African slavery. Though at times some of this creative imagery is not apparent to the younger reader. The theme of grief and not allowing it to destroy allows the reader to relate to Tristan's emotional journey as he continues through his physical one. With a good storyline pace and character development we get to see the novel encourage the consideration of the emotional change that Tristan must go through. 

Verdict: With hints of Greek mythological tales, humor and adventure, this text is sure to captivate readers. This book is a must read or in Tristans's words "I mean really, what could go wrong?”.