Fae and the Moon

Readers aren’t likely to be moonstruck by this one.

Gr 3 Up--A young girl named Fae misses her mother and frequently dreams that she is still alive somewhere. Fae is alone in the house, with only a few small creatures to keep her company. She knows that her mother had a strong connection to the moon and thinks that maybe if she climbs into the sky and takes the moon, it will make her mother reappear. But climbing a series of ladders, taking the moon, and hiding it in a chest at home makes everything worse. Suddenly, all kinds of dangerous creatures, from a dragon to a horde of rats, emerge from the darkness to try to get the moon for themselves. It will be up to Fae to survive against the forces of evil, keep the moon safe, and maybe even find her mother. But first, she will have to figure out who her friends and enemies really are, because she will need help keeping the moon safe. This story is illustrated in soft blues, pinks, and purples, and even when the plot takes dangerous turns, the world still looks enchanting. VERDICT For young readers who enjoy fantastic stories that feel like fables, fairy tales, and bedtime stories all rolled into one.--Andrea Lipinski

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In Franco Aureliani's charming graphic novel Fae and the Moon, a girl pulls the moon from the sky, hoping that it will bring her mother home to her.

Fae lives in her little house with the company of two rats, Frik and Frak, and one rabbit, Percival. She longs for her absent mother, who loved the moon, planted a moon garden, and told Fae stories about the moon. So Fae pulls the moon from the sky, hoping that if her mother sees that it is no longer there, she will come home. But taking the moon leaves the night in complete darkness and the world's inhabitants vulnerable to dangers that Fae did not anticipate.

The colorful illustrations add life and energy to the story. Their lines are graceful, and their depictions of movements and emotions are thrilling. Each character acts in accordance with motivations that are often unpredictable; who is (and who is not) loyal to the heroine is not obvious. This carries the plot through some surprising twists: a nefarious rat king with an army of underlings and an angry dragon are exciting elements that challenge Fae as she attempts to keep the danger at bay, protect the moon, and find her mother.

The story is set in a fantasy world, and the magic that Fae uses fits the setting well. Fae learns that she has the
strength to take care of herself and to face the world and its dangers on her own. The book's lessons about believing in oneself and the importance of family are clear, important, and meaningful.

Fae and the Moon is an entertaining fantasy story about personal empowerment and family love.— "Foreword Reviews"