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Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner&150teaches her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself.
As far back as she can remember, Dessen has always wanted to write. She remembers churning out wildly imaginative stories on an old manual typewriter her parents gave her when she was eight or nine years old. So it was only natural that after college she would forego a "real job," choosing instead to support herself by waiting tables at a local eatery while trying to publish a novel. In 1996, just three years after graduation, she sold her first book, the witty, wry coming-of-age story That Summer. A second novel, Someone Like You, followed two years later. (In 2003, these two books were loosely adapted into the movie How to Deal, starring teen sensation Mandy Moore.)
Dessen claims she never set out to be a YA writer, but somehow her memories always bring her back to high school, a time and place that resonates strongly for her. Living in her hometown where she is still in contact with many childhood friends, she finds it pretty easy to get in touch with her "inner teenager." In addition, the books she read from that time have a special, magical staying power. She explains it this way on her website:
"[W]hile I couldn't tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die or Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them."If one can judge from her growing fan base and continued presence on the bestseller lists, Dessen can safely say "mission accomplished."
Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Well, for starters, if you don't really know what this book is about, here is a short synopsis. Keeping the Moon is the story of a girl, Colie Sparks, who has lost her identity, and is trying to find her true self with the help of her friends, Morgan and Isabel. Keeping the Moon has many components, emotional and critical, so it promises to be a good read for someone of any age.
This book screams tons of messages. One of the biggest themes in this book is the theme of friendship. Throughout our lives, we've all experienced the darkness of loneliness. We had that burning feeling in our throat, a sign of tears, just wishing someone was there to guide you through. Colie, the main character, experiences such feelings. Then, two friends help through the pain and the burning. Another big theme in this story is the element of accepting who you really are. All throughout the book characters of all ages struggle, or some not at all, with characteristics that make them stick out in society, some of the characteristics are an odd, artistic, hippy, fat, gothic, or punk. Also, preppy or snotty. In the end, the struggles or questions are resolved.
After I finished the last page of this book, I felt something really deep inside of me. As I reviewed page after page, chapter after chapter in my head, I felt a really strong message coming to me. This strong sense of meaning made me opinion of this book soar. When you first pick up this book, you don't really think it to be something you think about in later years when it collects dust in your bookcase. I certainly didn't. But as I went on, I saw that I too could relate to what was going on. Sometime in your life, you've felt you needed a friend or that you didn't fit in and wanted to change. This book addresses such things with fun characters, and a deeper meaning.
Keeping the Moon I recommend for anyone who has dealt with these issues. Whoever you are, whatever age, whatever size, Keeping the Moon promises to be a good read.
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The book, "Keeping the Moon", is about a girl named Nicole, but her mother calls her Colie. She is fifteen-years-old and her mother is a professional fitness trainer. With Colie's mom having such a busy job, their family is always moving from state to state. Out of all of the schools that Colie's ever been to, she's never fit in. She hasn't had one friend either. This summer, Colies's mother is going on tour, so Nicole has to stay with her crazy aunt that lives in Colby, North Carolina. Colie is nervous, but she thinks that staying at Colby for the summer might give her a chance to meet some friends. There might also be some surprises up the road for her. I really like the book, "Keeping the Moon", because it teaches a girl that has no friends to becoming a girl that is one of the best of friends you could possible have. I would recommend this book to someone because it is written by one of my favorite authors and it has a great story about a girl who learns what friendship is all about.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen is a pretty good book. It's interesting and clever and funny. It teaches a few worthwhile lessons and it has a good, satisfying ending that you leaves you feeling glad that you read it. Definitely worth your time.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sarah Dessen is an amazing author. As I read more and more of her books I realize that they all posses the same qualities there all great, cute, funny, charming and all around great. Where to start... Keeping the Moon is my most relatable book because like her I moved to a new town with no hopes of becoming anything. Colie is not looking to impress anyone when she moves to Colby. She goes there with a lip piercing and a bad attitude. Then she lands a job at the Last Chace Bar and Grill without even trying. There she meets new people and learns one of the most important lessons of all time. You shouldn't be suprised when people treat you with respect, you should expect it. She learns to respect herself and be true to herself and that everyone is beautiful in their own way. She finds love(: and friends and a place where she belongs. It looks like what you think will be the worst turns out to be the best. Finally an author who writes books with important life lessons and is capeable of writing something where you can find yourself. So do yourself a favor and read this and all other books by Sarah Dessen. Things don't always turn out like you think.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2008
Im reading it right now, and so far its a great book! The one thing that im mad about is that its a short book. I like reading books that are like 300 pages long but this book is only like 200. Even though its a short book, i recomend it to anyone. :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 24, 2008
This is 'so far' one of my most favorite books by the AMAZING Sarah Dessen! This book has so much detail and funness! Sarah Dessen is a very talented author. This book is a MUST read!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 29, 2008
Sarah Dessen is a fantastic writer. She has an ability to create characters in your mind that you somehow already know, thier physical apperance and their actions. Everyone in this book is linked to someone you know, making it hit closer to home. Colie, a young adult who is constantly being called names at home and does not fit in, makes friends in some unexpected places when she goes to live with her aunt for the summer because of circumstances with her mother. She meets two girls and they befreind her-something so new and spectacular. They help her become all she can be, and most importantly they help her believe that she really is something. When the girl that spreads all the rumors about Colie at home she finally has the courage to stand up to her and say what is true. The sotry moves slowly yet every page has somehting new happening important to the story on it. Overall Sarah Dessen does a great job of telling Colie's story, one of a girl who is lost about her identity and has no self-confidance yet finds herself thrown into a world of change. And how she finally accepts who she is and why she is truly something special.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 28, 2011
Colie is a girl who misses her old life with her mother and also just wants to fit in. With the help of Megan and Isabel she learns the meaning of friendship and staying true to herself. This is a great book for ages 11- 21 bur anyone could probably read it. I recomend any girl with confedance issues to def
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.When I first started out reading Sarah Dessens books I was suprised by how well written they were, no details were ever left out. I have to say though, that when it came to this one, I was a little dissapointed. Don't get me wrong, the book was still very good and Sarah is a fabulous writer but something was missing, the charisma of the character just wasnt quite right. Still, it was a good book to read and I reccomend it to everyone :).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 1, 2008
i loved this book it really reached out to me in the soul im going throgh the same life (not fitting in at school)i give this book a thumbs up
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 9, 2012
Its not one of her best books but still a must read
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Posted January 29, 2012
The cover she looks like she has a mans thing in her shorts.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 8, 2012
This book is great. Its got the small town rumors. I recomend this book to anyone. I am alot like Mira i am a good person but a lot of times rumors start about me that r false i get looked at werid. READ THIS BOOK AND ALL OF SARAH DESSENS BOOKS!
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Posted December 27, 2011
I read this book before I got my nook, but it's great! I definitely recommend this book. It starts off a little slow, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down! Don't waste any time on getting this, you'll love it. :)
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Posted December 26, 2011
A must read book so good im only on page 10 and im hook good job Sarah Dessen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
Im not one for romance teen chick lit even though im a 15 year old girl. However this is my favorite book! It has a love interest and everything but hes very likable and there are other aspects to the story. I love how Colies friendships grow and i love watching hef change. Great book!
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Posted December 12, 2011
This book is really amazing. A great story of friendship, live, and plain ol' just being who you are! I believe everyone should have a chance to read this book!
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Posted December 8, 2011
A must read!
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Posted December 8, 2011
I love how confident colie becomes we should all try to be that confident!
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Posted November 27, 2011
Good for bffs and others.friendship is awesome.sarah dessen is amzing
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Overview
Fifteen-year-old Colie is spending the summer with her eccentric Aunt Mira while her mother travels. Formerly chubby and still insecure, Colie has built a shell around herself. But her summer with her aunt, her aunt's tenant Norman, and her friends at the Last Chance Diner&150teaches her some important lessons about friendship and learning to love yourself.