Today’s book recommendation is not only a New York Times Bestseller, but also a Newbery Medal Winner!
NYT Bestseller
The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill: a beautifully crafted tale with the familiarity of a well-thumbed book.
Combining the feel of a folk tale and the epic storyline of a myth, Barnhill’s award-winning tale seems woven of different cultural traditions. Here’s the summary:
“An epic fantasy about a young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, who must unlock the powerful magic buried deep inside her.”
I read a lot of fairy and folk tales as a child. I recall the facile jump from realistic to impossible—suspending disbelief with perfect ease, as children and lovers of stories do. In The Girl Who Drank the Moon, I recognized Chinese tales, and Japanese, (with the origami that comes to life). Maybe Russian—as the witch is perhaps a version of Baba Yaga.
I imagine there were more influences. The magical boots that could cover miles at a time must have at least one precedent.
The sources aren’t important as much as the ability great storytellers have to take a tradition and create something new within it. Perhaps “something old, made new” is better said. It makes for an experience of delight, suspense, and magical absorption.
Favorite elements:
I loved the Perfectly Tiny Dragon! Its size and temperament made it pet-like. Who among us wouldn’t like to have a talking pet dragon? Not to mention it has no complications like Sincoraz, the dragon in The Curse of the Neverland. Love an “all-good” dragon!
Best of all is another girl hero for the history books. Luna will capture your heart.
Garnering a wide readership (not to mention awards like NYT Bestseller and Newbery Medal) is “proof of the pudding.” This is a wonderful story!
Hop down to your library and put The Girl Who Drank the Moon on hold if you haven’t already read it!
Happy Reading!