Alabama Moon (Alabama Moon, 1)

I'm an age 50+ female and I really enjoyed this story. I was disappointed when there was no more to read! My son is age 15. He found the story boring and did not even finish reading it. Not for everyone I guess.

This is a five star book for one reason: Moon. Watt Key has written something really special with his character Moon Blake. I read the synopsis of this book months ago and even had it recommended to me by a friend, but I didn't pick it up because while it sounded interesting, the plot didn't leap out at me.There's really only one thing you need to know about the story: Moon's Pap has died and left him to fend for himself in the woods where they had always lived alone, survivialist style, with instructions to head for Alaska. The rest of the book is all Moon as he confronts the real world and navigates friendship, trouble and where he fits in, and he is fabulous. Moon is confused and angry at all the grown-ups trying to control his life now that his dad is gone and there's no one else to take him in-- ostensibly he has no family other than his deceased father. He knows so much about how to live by himself in the forest, and yet is so naive about how the world works.I cried at the beginning when Moon's Pap dies and then laughed as Moon refuses to back down repeatedly, "whipping up" on multiple adults who underestimate him throughout the book. It's really a poignant story of loss and love and finding a sense of normalcy. There aren't that many truly unique characters out there, where you feel like the author gets it exactly right, but Moon is one. He sticks with you after the book is done. He's really something.

Having just started (and put down) a deeply crappy book meant for 9- to 12-year-old boys by a well-known author whose name I will refrain from mentioning, it was an absolute shock to my system to read its polar opposite, the brilliant Alabama Moon. THANK you, Watt Key!Utterly competent living in the forest, Moon Blake experiences the height of culture shock when his survivalist father dies and he runs smack into the outside world. Moon is unfamiliar with things like fatty food (or enough food), television, and clothes made out of things other than animals skins, let alone the wrongheadedness and lies of certain supposed representatives of the law. Trying to fulfill his father's last instructions to go to Alaska and live with other people who hate the government, Moon soon escapes from the locked boys' home where he's been dumped, taking two other boys with him. (Well, more at first, actually--that part's very funny!)But Moon is starting to change, realizing that, unlike his father, he's not happy being alone. When things go wrong out in the forest, Moon begins making new kinds of decisions. Of course, it doesn't help that the wacked-out small-town constable whose pride Moon has wounded is after him, and not exactly with lawful intent.Moon is the most real, intriguing protagonist I've read about since Maniac Magee. I had to catch my breath when I finished this book, it was that good. I then ran to my computer to tell you: please read this book. It's one of the best things to hit children's literature in years!

This is the second book by Watt Key that my daughter read as independent reading in school. She also read "Hideout". I also read the books along with her so we could discuss. We both enjoyed both books. The author has a way of describing things that is so vivid. His character development is amazing. We had so many wonderful conversations about the characters and how events changed them. Highly recommend this author!

This one belongs high on the list of coming of age tales and is, not only a great story about a young man growing up in very unusual circumstances, but it offers a wealth of information about how to survive, especially on one's own in the wilderness. Moon is living with his father deep in the forests of Alabama. When he is only ten years old, his father dies and Moon is left alone to fend for himself. The civilized world is not ready to let him do that, especially one constable who is determined to lock this young man away in some jail or institution. As the lawman pursues him, Moon constantly outsmarts him; and along the way makes a couple of new friends who bring him to the realization that he does not want to live his life alone any more. I won't spoil the page turner, but will say that things turn out favorable in the end. This book is a keeper. If I could, I would give it to every young man in this age group or even older to show them there is more to life than TV and video games. Highly recommended.

Reading for pleasure.

This a wonderful book for all ages! It was hard to put down. I passed it to my 11 year old. The words aren’t hard but it might be a bit long

A great juvenile book for class reading. Mostly appeals to young boys, but young girls also like it. My students enjoyed this book immensely. Also acquired the audio version from audible to listen and read along simultaneously. Highly recommend.

A really moving and at times funny book.

Voilà un roman qui vous prend et qui ne vous lâche plus. J'ai même lu ce livre en marchant dans la rue ! Le tout jeune Moon (11 ans) cherche éperdument à échapper à un monde brutal et arrogant qui a détruit son père. Il fugue, flanque des raclées aux forces de l'ordre, chasse le castor et poursuit les biches dans une nature sauvage et grandiose. Pas méchant, le gamin, il se prend même d'amitié avec un autre jeunot souffreteux et bien malade. Il lui promet une meilleure vie, il lui apporte du bonheur. Mais les chiens du shérif sont sur leurs traces. ils doivent fuir encore plus loin.L'auteur, Watt Key, excelle dans le portrait de cet enfant à la fois candide et précocement muri par les épreuves. On rit, on tremble, on pleure, en le suivant sur les sentes et les routes d'Alabama, et on finit bouleversé. Je n'oublierai pas Alabama Moon avant longtemps.

Nice book

school book

Je recommande ce livre à des jeunes de 12 à 15 ans. Le vocabulaire est assez facile à comprendre, le livre n'est pas trop gros et l'histoire est agréable.