Alabama Moon [Tapa blanda]

I picked this book up from the Decatur Daily on Tuesday morning with the intention of reading a few chapters on the hammock while the kids played in the pool. The next time I looked up I had a nasty sunburn and my three children were asking what was for dinner. I continued reading far into the night after everyone was in bed. Unable to stop myself or even consider the fact that my four year old is usually up by 6:00am, I lost myself once again in this beautifully written novel until the very end.

The book is now in the hands of my eleven year old son who hasn't been seen for the last day or so, except at mealtimes with a surprisingly dog eared book that is less than a week old...

"Alabama Moon" is the debut novel from Southern Alabama author Watt Key. In this mesmerizing and completely enthralling coming of age story, ten year old Moon Blake learns how to survive on his own after his beloved father "Pap" dies leaving him to fend for himself in the forest of Alabama. The two of them have lived completely isolated and self sufficient in a handmade shelter for the last nine years. Along with all his wilderness and survival skills passed on from his father, Moon has also been taught to trust no one and fear the outside world. Two lessons that are difficult to uphold after Pap's death and Moon's promise to him to go to Alaska where he will find others like himself living off the land.

When fate intervenes and Moon finds himself in circumstances beyond his control, he must come face to face with a world he does not understand while trying to grasp the idea of what it means to trust someone. With the help of his two new best friends Hal and Kit, he attempts to find his place in this world while finding out that maybe everything his father told him wasn't the truth and that sometimes you do have to depend on other people whether you want to or not.

As Moon's journey takes him to a group home, jail and back to the forest again, he begins to learn that human beings are a wonderfully flawed group and some can be trusted while others simply can not. Sometimes those with the best of intentions fall short, while others may just surprise you in the end.

Moon endures one hardship after another and some of life's toughest lessons. The reader can't help but want this extremely appealing character to succeed and find happiness. While this book is listed at ages 10-14, I daresay many adults will find is as compelling and enthralling as any child. The extensive research that author Watt Key performed in order to accurately portray the skills and knowledge necessary to live in an isolated forest year round will also have many outdoor enthusiasts admiring this novel as well.

I can't recommend "Alabama Moon' enough. Read it with your child or give it to them as a gift. You won't regret it...

One of the best read in awhile. Adults and Children enjoy this book so much it is hard to put down. All of us in our household have read it and believe it will become a Movie. If you enjoyed Forest Gump you will enjoy Alabama Moon. The book gets better the further you get into the story. Well written and an especially exceptional story for a first novel. I believe this short novel will become a classic.

Watt Key has introduced an unforgettable character in ten-year-old Moon Blake. He has lived in the wilderness with his father for as long as he can remember. Moon's father is anti-government and they live a reclusive life, surviving on what they can trap and raise with just an occasional trip to the little country general store. When Moon's father suffers a broken leg, and refuses to seek medical help, his subsequent death leaves Moon alone. Moon manages to see to his wilderness burial, but following his father's instructions to go to Alaska and find others that live their way of life is more difficult. While Moon is very resourceful, he doesn't understand the ways of the modern world and has no idea where Alaska is, or how to get there. The attorney that recently purchased the land where Moon and his father lived believes that he is doing the best thing for Moon, and turns him over to a boys home.

Moon is determined to escape and so he and two other boys manage steal a bus and run away. Moon's survival skills keep them one step ahead of the abusive and determined constable and out of jail. Moon has a chance to learn firsthand about what friendship means and to be able to interact with boys his own age for the first time. The boys are very sympathetic characters...even the bloodhound sent to track them down decides to join them.

Moon begins to question the lessons his father taught him about how bad the government is and to question even his father's lifestyle. Moon is a character that I'll never forget. This action-packed story is filled with chases, captures, and escapes. If you want to encourage reluctant readers, give them this exciting first novel by Watt Key. I'm hoping for another story...Moon is just too good a character to not have a sequel.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev