The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Genre:  Fantasy  

Grade Level:  4th - 6th (5-8?)

Reading Level: 4.8

Length: 400 pages - 12 hours

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers (August 9, 2016)

My Rating: 3 out of 4

This book has such a beautiful cove! Always an important part of a new book.  The story line is a very intriguing idea.  Every year, on a certain day, the town of Protecterate leaves the youngest baby in the woods for the evil witch to take.  The leaders of the town have convinced the people that this is the only way that the witch will be satisfied and will not bother them. They are also very fearful of the forests around them and never leave their town.  The town is full of very sad people and a cloud hangs over the village. 

Now, on this day every year,  a witch does come and take the baby because she has discovered this village practice and takes the babies to save them from wild animals.  She is a very good woman and takes the children to cities where the children are loved and valued. They drink starlight in the journey and are considered priceless babies.

One day she finds the annual infant and while traveling with the baby, the baby accidentally drinks from the moon. This baby becomes enmajiked and so the witch has to keep her as her own child.  Meanwhile, a boy who has seen how devastating the practice of leaving babies for this witch has become, grows up to discover his own child will be the next sacrificial baby.  He sets out to kill the witch. 

The book is complex and not quite as simple of a plot as I have summarized.  Although beautifully written, I found I could not read this quickly. It felt like I was reading calligraphy text vs. a regular font, metaphorically speaking.  I happened to have it on my audible account and sometimes I actually read along with the narrator.   She was fabulous and her acting abilities were excellent in her narration.

I would probably say this book is more 5th-8th grade and even though the reading level is 4.8.  The writing style and plot is more complicated than most 4th grade novels. I was guessing more of a 7th - 8th grade reader level as I was reading the book.  That being said, fantasy is not my favorite genre and so perhaps my connection with a fantastic storyline is not as strong as those who read lots of fantasy.

This book has been proclaimed a Newbery contender for 2018. It wouldn't be a surprise because it is beautifully crafted.  I also appreciate that Kelly Barnhill is from Minnesota.