The Girl Who Drank The Moon

[Spoiler Alert]

    Kelly Barnhill's children and young adult novel The Girl Who Drank The Moon. Is a strong coming of age story about Luna,  a young girl left out in the woods as an infant. Luna is taken in by a Witch who accidentally feed her magic, as a result Luna is en-magicked. Throughout the novel the theme of sorrow is repeated over and over. Xan, the witch in the story constantly repeats to herself and others that sorrow is dangerous, stay away from sorrow. As it turns out Xan too was discovered in the words as an infant and brought to a castle of magicians who en-magicked her. As a young girl she is taught the message that sorrow is dangerous. I think this idea of sorrow in the book plays on the idea that sorrow can drown you into a world of hopelessness where you give up and don't seek to fix what's been done or what's happening. Luna mother referred to as the madwoman never gives up, she is locked away and her baby was stolen from her. Filled to the brim in despair I'm sure but she finds away out you see. So I like the authors message of sorrow being dangerous it is a good message for kids too look for "a way through the mountain" if you will. Enjoy the journey.

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