West of the Moon
Margi Preus
West of the Moon
Margi Preus
In West of the Moon, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Margi Preus expertly weaves original fiction with myth and folktale to tell the story of Astri, a young Norwegian girl desperate to join her father in America.
After being separated from her sister and sold to a cruel goat farmer, Astri makes a daring escape. She quickly retrieves her little sister, and, armed with a troll treasure, a book of spells and curses, and a possibly magic hairbrush, they set off for America. With a mysterious companion in tow and the malevolent goatman in pursuit, the girls head over the Norwegian mountains, through field and forest, and in and out of folktales and dreams as they steadily make their way east of the sun and west of the moon.
Praise for West of the Moon FIVE STARRED REVIEWS
Like dun silk shot thought with gold, Preus interweaves the mesmerizing tale of Astri’s treacherous and harrowing mid-nineteenth-century emigration to America with bewitching tales of magic. A fascinating author’s note only adds to the wonder.
–Booklist, starred review
Norwegian history, fiction and folklore intertwine seamlessly in this lively, fantastical adventure and moving coming-of-age story.
–Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Enthralling and unflinching, this historical tale resonates with mythical undertones that will linger with readers after the final page is turned.
–School Library Journal, starred review
Astri is like a girl out of a fairy tale, and the native folktales that Preus weaves through the narrative serve as guides, lessons, and inspiration for her.
–Publishers Weekly, starred review
Several Norwegian folktales are seamlessly integrated into the fast-paced, lyrically narrated story, which features a protagonist as stalwart and fearless as any fairy-tale hero.
–The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
It’s Astri’s voice, however, that is most appealing: her direct, no-nonsense narration has a sharp bite, yet it also reveals the vulnerable young girl who’s willing to continue to fight but is nonetheless exhausted by the weight of her struggle. The chapters have an episodic structure that makes this an ideal choice for readaloud or storytelling adaptations, while the mix of folklore, fact, and fantasy will please fans of Edith Patou’s East.
–The Bulletin of The Center for Children’s Books
Review
Alexa Dretzke
Left in the care of their avaricious aunt and uncle while their father settles in America and prepares to send for her and her younger sister, Astri is sold to an old goat farmer as a servant. Life with him is one of deprivation and hard work and Astri plots to escape, find her sister and precariously make their way to America. She will stop at virtually nothing to achieve this.
I loved this beautifully written and evocative story that blends Scandinavian folklore with history and adventure. Astri is a flawed and courageous character who you will love for her honesty and mighty strength of character. I was championing her on every step of the way. A replicated page from Margi Preus’s great great grandmother’s diary provides a fascinating insight into the inspiration for her story and the extra notes give added depth and historical perspective. Highly recommended for ages 10 to 13.
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