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Starlight, Moonlight, Hope



The heart is built of starlight 
And time,
A pinprick of longing lost in the dark.
An unbroken chord linking the Infinite to the Infinite.
My heart wished upon your heart and the wish is granted.
Meanwhile the world spins.
Meanwhile the universe expands.
Meanwhile the mystery of love reveals itself,
again and again, in the mystery of you.
I have gone.
I will return.

 In this Newberry Award winning novel, there are several stories intertwined that all collide in the most beautifully written fashion. The main character Luna is an inspiring troublemaker, trying to find out who she is and what she can do to save her dear grandmother, Xan.

 The story begins in a town covered with sorrow. Each year a baby in this town must be sacrificed, left in the forest, for the witch of the woods. Turns out the witch is a delightful and kind woman, Xan, who brings the babies to new towns and loving families.

 One year Xan accidentally feeds the "sacrificed" baby moonlight. Suddenly the baby is enmagicked and must live with Xan, Glerck the Swamp Monster, and Fyrian the perfectly Tiny Dragon.

 Though this is a magical world, filled with love and surprises, the truth is in the description of the Protectorate. Blindly following leaders that tear apart families, giving wealth to the precious few (the elders), and thriving on a town filled with sorrow. The most destructive force to the status quo is hope.
In this town, drowning in sorrow, there is one young man, Antain, who seeks to change everything.  His face is scarred, from an interaction with the "mad woman" whose baby was taken away as a sacrifice. On a side note, I thought the "mad woman" could've been interpreted as a parent with mental illness or a family that experienced intense trauma.  This "mad woman" has deep love and compassion for her family, but must overcome numerous obstacles. Antain begins his quest to protect his newborn baby and enters the dangerous woods.  His instinct to question everything and follow his inner voice is an important lesson, that will not soon be forgotten by the reader.

 The stunning verses, blue and silver, silver and blue, transform each page into a lyrical wonder. Barnhill weaves many lessons into The Girl Who Drank the Moon, emphasizing that each decision the character makes has consequences. Everything was consequences.  Through this journey, taken by many characters, and shown through various perspectives, the reader is left with the inspiration to challenge everything, have hope and never forget your inner magic.
Magic. Starlight. Moonlight. Memory. Her heart had so much love, it began pouring forth. 
Like a volcano.

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