Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

This Contemporary Realistic Fiction book is about 15 year old girl, Colie (short for Nicole), who is sent to live with her aunt for the summer while her mom is overseas for work. Colie has had more than her fair share of struggles in life. She was raised by a single parent, both her and her mom were obese until her mom got a job at a gym and became famous for her classes and infomercials, and product line, etc. Colie's never had any real friends and she's been made fun of at every school she's ever attended (which has been a lot because before becoming skinny, rich, and famous, Colie's mom would move her around from state to state to try and escape their problems of no money, no friends, and obesity). During Colie's stay with her aunt she learns a lot about herself, makes some friends, and begins to transform her life. She realizes she was always capable of being a likable, fun girl and that she needed to have some confidence in herself in order for others to see that as well.


Novel is the style of this book. There aren't any abnormal formatting choices to note. It is written in first person all the way through. In the very front of the book there is a printed excerpt taken from the book. It doesn't have a heading or anything so I thought I might be reading an excerpt from one of Sarah Dessen's other books, but I found out I was wrong. The back of the book does give a preview of one of her books that came out after Keeping the Moon.

Classroom applications for this book could take a few different forms. It could certainly be used during an anti-bullying campaign, even just as a book in a literature circle. I think it could really encourage some kids who feel that they don't have friends and maybe don't have a lot of support at home. It could be used in a unit on friendship as well.