Walk Two Moons

Bibliographic Information: Creech, S.  (2006).  Walk two moons [CD]. New York; Harper Audio ISBN: 978-0-06-171909-7

Plot Summary: Salamanca's (or Sal or chickabiddy) life is covered in mystery most of which surrounds her mother's current location-- Lewiston, Idaho.

As a means of trying to understand why her mother is in Idaho, Sal goes on a trip throughout the U.S with her Gram and Gramps. Together they relive Sal's mother's trip, stopping at each stop before arriving at their last destination. It is through this trip, and the telling of her friend Phoebe’s parallel life story, that Sal is finally able to understand her mother's decisions and accept her own life.

Critical Evaluation: An important motif in this story is the figure of the mother. Sal, the main character, watches her friend commit many of the same mistakes that she (Sal) made before her own mother left. By telling her grandparents Phoebe's story, Sal is able to draw parallels of the relationship she had with her mother. Sal marvels how simple it is to see what others are doing wrong, while she was not able to change her actions when her mother was still in her life. By closely studying Phoebe's mother, who seems lonely and unappreciated, Sal is better able to understand why her mother may have left her to travel alone to Idaho.

Sal previously felt that her mother leaving was because she no longer loved her (Sal) or cared enough to stay. Sal also felt that it was her fault her mother left because she felt she caused her mother's tragic loss. After carefully studying Phoebe's mother, Sal realizes that mothers, like anybody else, must also be set free. Sal finally understands that her mother didn't leave because of her (Sal), her mother left because she had to do it for herself. 

Reader’s Annotation: Sometimes taking the journeys that others have taken is the only way to understand one's own life.

Information About the Author: Sharon Creech was born in South Euclid, Ohio where she grew up with three brothers and a  sister (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). Creech was lucky enough to go on several cross country roadtrips with her parents (sharoncreech.com: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). These books later influenced her books, like Walk Two Moons (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). As a child Creech also spent a lot of time on family farm in Kentucky (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). This is why Kentucky appears in many of her novels, including Walk Two Moons. Creech's Walk Two Moons received the prestigious Neberry Medal in 1995 (Follett Titlewave, 2012). 

Along with Walk Two Moons, Creech has also written: Absolute Normal Chaos, Love that Dog, The Wanderer and many others (Creech:Novels, 2012). Creech hopes to continue inspiring and writing novels for years to come.

Sharon Creech's Website

Genre: Contemporary

Subgenre: Coming of Age, Death and Deadly Disease

Curriculum Ties: Can tie into discussion of the loss of loved ones or the impact of mothers.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Why does telling Phoebe's story help Sal understand her own?
2). What is the importance of the mother figure in Sal's story?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile Readling Level: 770/5-8 (Follett's Titlewave, 2012) Suitable for ages 15+.

Challenge Issues: Does discuss the loss of a loved one. I would use the following items to defend this book if it was challenged:
 

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).

2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).

3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

 4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this audiobook in the titles you selected?: This book really highlights the importance of the mother figure in a teen's life which is often overlooked in books. Teens can use this book to understand their own complex relationships with their mothers. Although some consider this book for a younger audience of 5th to 8th grade (Follett Titlewave, 2012). Due to its emotional depths sources like, Booklist, consider this book an excellent choice for children as old as in 9th grade (Cooper, 1994).

Reference Page: 


Cooper, I.  (1994, November 15). Books for you - general fiction - fiction.  [Review of the book Walk two moons by S. Creech].  Retrieved July 13, 2012 from http://www.booklistonline.com/Walk-Two-Moons-Sharon-Creech/pid=240976

Creech, S.  (2012).  Meet Sharon Creech. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from http://www.sharoncreech.com/meet/meet.asp

Creech, S.  (2012).  Novels. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from http://www.sharoncreech.com/novels/15.asp

Follett's Titlewave.  (2012).  Walk two moons. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from IPhone App. 

cover art: http://www.audiobooksonline.com/Walk-Two-Moons-Sharon-Creech-unabridged-compact-discs-Harper-Audio.html