Book 8: Laugh with the Moon

Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg is a 2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee.  It is about a 13 year old girl named Clare, who is having to move to Africa with her father for a couple of months, after her mother's recent death.  Moving to Africa is the last thing that Clare wants to do, and refuses to speak to her father in protest.  After the initial shock upon arrival, Clare becomes accustomed to African life, especially thanks to her new friend Memory, who she forms an immediate bond with.  Even though Clare didn't want to go to Africa, she has made friends and experienced many things, happy and sad, that make her trip to Africa a healing one.

I often like to read at least one chapter book aloud to my students from the list of Bluebonnet Nominees.  I loved Laugh with the Moon and hope that many of my students read it, but think that this may be a little sad for a read aloud.  It gives a good glimpse into a way of life that is very different from the American lifestyle.

Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg