Keeping the Moon

Reader reviewed by Vanessa

Summary: Colie is a fifteen year old girl who, alongside her mom, used to be overweight and would move constantly. Wherever she stayed she was taunted for her fat. When her mom becomes Kiki Sparks the aerobics teacher, she sheds off the pounds. Now she is taunted for being a slut, although she isn't. Colie's mom is traveling for a tour in Europe to spread believe for overweight women everywhere to Become. Colie hasn't Become yet, she's still insecure. She ends up staying with her aunt Mira during the summer in Colby. Colie gets a job at the Last Chance Restaurant and begins new friendships with the two waitresses there: grumpy Isabel and organized Morgan who are best friends. Colie meets Norman, the "art freak" (like Mira) and although at first she wasn't attracted to him something becomes of the relationship. Colie learns with her new friends at Colby to feel self-confident.
My Thoughts: It was nice. It took me a while to get into it. However, it was an easy read and cute. It was very predictable but still worthwhile. I'm happy for Colie at the end since she becomes self-confident. Sarah Dessen's other works are better. But this one is better than That Summer and Someone Like You.

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Reader reviewed by Jessica Reese

Keeping the Moon by. Sarah Dessen follows fifteen-year-old Colie, a formerly obese teen, as she struggles to find herself. Colie's life has been a roller coaster from day one, between a teen mother and a new town every two months the only constants in her life were the teasing that followed her from school to school and the fifty pounds that shielded her from it all. But when Colie's mother, also obese, develops an aerobics exercise that becomes the new international workout craze, Colie's extra pounds and the constant moving disappear, leaving only the teasing and hurt. Soon Colie's mother is touring Europe for the summer and Colie, lost and rebeling against her mother, is forced to move in with her eccentric aunt for the summer. Little does she know that a whole new life awaits her in the small town of Colby.

Dessen has created a beautiful coming of age novel will captivate readers quickly. Her light and humorous way of tackling important issues keeps teens reading while still making a large impression in their lives. Those who have read Dessen's more recent novel, The Truth About Forever, will find many similarities between the two. But even if you have not, this story will lure you in all the same. With an eccentric group of characters, romantic subplot, and eclectic, funky setting this book is hard not to love.

It's important lessons, beautiful writing, and heartwarming storyline make this novel a must read for all teens.