Mundie Moms

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Book Review- Moonglass


Published by Simon and Schuster
Released on
Source- Bought
4.5 stars- I really enjoyed it!

From Jessi Kirby, a debut novel about confronting the past in order to move ahead.

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.
While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever (quoted from Goodreads).

Moonglass is one of those books that makes you feel like you've been up rooted from your favorite reading spot and put into the setting. I'm tempted to get on a plane and fly out to CA to go find Crystal Cover, the beach were the story is set up and find it's beautifully descriptive cottages. I miss living close to the beach and this made me feel like I was there on the beach, all I was missing was the lovely sea smell. The setting is such a huge part of the book and I love that it is it's own character. This book has left some strong impressions with me. The way in which Jessi writes her story is powerful, emotional and moving. It's about love, loss, redemption, and learning to live, to accept the cards that life deals us, and so much more.

There are so many things that I fell in love with, with the story. Everything about the story was so vivid and felt so real, from Anna's relationship with her father, to her sweet romance with Tyler, to coming to terms with the death of her mother, and meeting new friends in a place that is full of history for her father and mother. One of the elements I enjoyed the most was the way in which Jessi kept the same theme through out her story. Everything ties together, from the little details to the big moments and revelations. I felt like I really got to know Anna and though I've not been through what she's gone through, I felt that I was able to understand her and what she was feeling.

Crystal Cove isn't just the place where Anna's mother and father met, it's the place her father has moved them back to, and where Anna learns to finally let go and come to terms with everything. I loved the little bits of fun history Jessi adds to the story via Anna's dad, and the way he met Anna's mother and the type of person he used to be. It made his threat to the beach's lifeguards about staying away from Anna that much more comical. Everyone from Tyler, to Anna's new friends Ashely and even Jillian all won me over. One of my favorite characters was the man who crawls on the beach. He plays such a significant role in the story and I won't say anything else so I don't spoil anything. I loved him in this story. Really there's not one character I didn't fall in love with.

This is one of those books that I could see my 11th grade english teacher wanting to break down and discuss in class, since there are so many themes through out the story. I loved the symbolism with the sea glass/moon glass and how Jessi wove mermaid mythology into the story, via a story Anna's mother told her when she was younger. It was so unique and such a great part of the story. Moonglass is a very detailed, vivid story that I highly recommend picking up. There is some minor language in the story, but nothing that I wouldn't let my kids read when they're 13 & up.

**Sorry that we lost all of our comments when Blogger did their upgrade. If you commented before, thank you so much for doing so, and we're sorry your comment is gone*

5 comments:

  1. I was't sure about this book but after this review you convinced me to read it. I used to live close to the beach and I miss it so this book sounds good.

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  2. I hadn't decided if I was going to check this one out or not. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it's now moved up a bit on my 'wish list'.

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  3. Frosy- Thank you!! I miss the living close to the beach and Moonglass made me feel like I was at the beach. The setting is what made me want to read the book.

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  4. Dawn- You are welcome. If you're on the fence about it, I would definitely recommend checking it out from your local library. I believe it's also on sale at Barnes and Noble online for about $10, which is a great price.

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  5. I am so bummed that when blogger crashed we lost all of our comments. It was great talking to you all of about moonglass.

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