A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn - OPTIONAL

Hahn, Rebecca A Creature of Moonlight, 313 p. Houghton Mifflin, 2014.  $18.  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (brother kills sister).  

Marni has watched the other girls escape through the woods all of her life.  Since her uncle killed her mother and took over the kingdom, her grandfather (the former king) has raised her at the edge of the woods.  Marni has never been tempted to escape tot he woods, because she has seen the magical creatures and played with them all of her life.  Changes are coming to Marni’s world, however.  Her grandfather is old and will not be around to protect her much longer.  Should she try to fit in at her uncle’s court?  Should she find a place for herself within the woods?  Or find the dragon that everyone says is her real father?  

Even though the book is written in first person, it felt like I was reading a third person story the whole time.  Marni is a bit detached from the real world and her story reads like it - very dream-like and a bit obscure.  I actually think this would be an excellent read aloud for bedtime - the kind of book for a parent and child to savor together in small bites.  It is not the same rough and tumble fantasy as Mull or Riordan.  Rich, but quiet - meant for a reader with skills.  

EL, MS - OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher