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Keeping the Moon
There is an alternate cover edition for this ISBN13 here.
Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina.
But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.
Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina.
But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.
228 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,126 reviews
May 3, 2021
not my favorite sarah dessen.
this goes for a good message of, like, self-esteem and all, but MAN does it get into a good deal of fat-shaming and slut-shaming and girl-hate and just really horrendous unjustified nonsensical bullying along the way.
also, every single background character in this book is a goddamn villain out to get at least one of the main characters. and that's just unreal.
i do like the theme of "the only thing it takes to be a beautiful girl is decide you're one" because, um, extremely true as hell. and i think dessen was going for something good here. did she get there? questionable.
bottom line: mehhhhhh. but the sarah dessen reread extravaganza will continue!!!
this goes for a good message of, like, self-esteem and all, but MAN does it get into a good deal of fat-shaming and slut-shaming and girl-hate and just really horrendous unjustified nonsensical bullying along the way.
also, every single background character in this book is a goddamn villain out to get at least one of the main characters. and that's just unreal.
i do like the theme of "the only thing it takes to be a beautiful girl is decide you're one" because, um, extremely true as hell. and i think dessen was going for something good here. did she get there? questionable.
bottom line: mehhhhhh. but the sarah dessen reread extravaganza will continue!!!
November 20, 2015
I just finished re-reading this book. I first read it a few years back when I was 14 so I've been waiting a while to re-read this book and give it a proper review. I thought that it might be hard for me to get back into since I'd already read it and was worried that I wouldn't like it as much as I did when I was younger. But I found myself just as interested as I was the first time. Laughing at the same parts, anticipating the same things and loving all the characters. Colie is so real and Dessen is great at capturing the teenage voice.
quick overview: Colie has a hard time making friends since she's never really had any. Moving around when she was younger and being overwieght didn't help the situation. Now a few years later and after losing a considerable amount of weight everyone at school still hates her. Her mother (who has also lost weight) is a world famous workout goddess and is going on tour around Europe. This leaves Colie to stay in Colby for the summer with her aunt Mira. Her weird atrtistic type aunt that she barely knows and that is ridiculed by the rest of the small town. Throughout the summer Colie makes friends with the two girls working at the Last Chance (Isabel and Morgan) and Norman, the weird but sweet hippie-ish guy who lives in Mira's downstairs. She finds the strength to finally "let it go" and realizes that she always had it in her to be the person she always hoped she was.
This book will always have a special place in my heart because it was my first Sarah Dessen book, and the book that got me into reading in the first place. It was easy for me to relate to Colie. The feeling that what others say and think about you are what define you. I loved the fact that although Colie lost the weight, it didn't mean that she automatically got the confidence that other thin people have. She learns that it all depends on us. Sometimes it takes someone on the outside to believe in us though, until we actually believe it ourselves. One of my all time favorites and definitely set the bar for the rest of the young adult books that I've read. Funny, sweet and real. What more could you ask for!?!
quick overview: Colie has a hard time making friends since she's never really had any. Moving around when she was younger and being overwieght didn't help the situation. Now a few years later and after losing a considerable amount of weight everyone at school still hates her. Her mother (who has also lost weight) is a world famous workout goddess and is going on tour around Europe. This leaves Colie to stay in Colby for the summer with her aunt Mira. Her weird atrtistic type aunt that she barely knows and that is ridiculed by the rest of the small town. Throughout the summer Colie makes friends with the two girls working at the Last Chance (Isabel and Morgan) and Norman, the weird but sweet hippie-ish guy who lives in Mira's downstairs. She finds the strength to finally "let it go" and realizes that she always had it in her to be the person she always hoped she was.
This book will always have a special place in my heart because it was my first Sarah Dessen book, and the book that got me into reading in the first place. It was easy for me to relate to Colie. The feeling that what others say and think about you are what define you. I loved the fact that although Colie lost the weight, it didn't mean that she automatically got the confidence that other thin people have. She learns that it all depends on us. Sometimes it takes someone on the outside to believe in us though, until we actually believe it ourselves. One of my all time favorites and definitely set the bar for the rest of the young adult books that I've read. Funny, sweet and real. What more could you ask for!?!
March 10, 2017
“You believed you were beautiful and so did the rest of the world.”
I appreciate Ms.Sarah Dessen’s ability to come up with meaningful stories out of a linear plot which seems true in all her books I’ve read. I don’t believe her books have this gripping power on me as a reader and yet I still keep reading them perhaps because they’re very easy to read.
Keeping the Moon is simply about Colie, a very shy, unconfident girl (despite her mom being a celebrity) who spends her summer with her not so ordinary aunt and unexpectedly gains not only true friends but self worth as well. I like that the few characters and the small town setting gave the story more focus and plausibility. It’s Summery and heartwarming just like most Sarah Dessen’s books.
I appreciate Ms.Sarah Dessen’s ability to come up with meaningful stories out of a linear plot which seems true in all her books I’ve read. I don’t believe her books have this gripping power on me as a reader and yet I still keep reading them perhaps because they’re very easy to read.
Keeping the Moon is simply about Colie, a very shy, unconfident girl (despite her mom being a celebrity) who spends her summer with her not so ordinary aunt and unexpectedly gains not only true friends but self worth as well. I like that the few characters and the small town setting gave the story more focus and plausibility. It’s Summery and heartwarming just like most Sarah Dessen’s books.
January 29, 2011
For me, this wasn't as good as other Sarah Dessen books. And before I even begin reading it, I've had high expectations on this one, because I've read that this is Sarah's favorite among the books she'd written. But it doesn't quite keep me interested in it like her other novels did.
I don't really like Colie (the main character & narrator) that much. She's just usually quiet and doesn't stand up for herself, not until the very end. And I kept waiting for something big to happen, like a twist or just some event to get me on the edge while reading. But it doesn't come. I didn't really realize I was close to the end, because I kept waiting and waiting, so I was stunned that I was almost finished reading when i'm on the last few pages.
But it still has some morals in it. I learned that nobody really failed on anything. Because failing means you've tried, and that's already an accomplishment on its own. It means you've started, you've taken one step already. And it teaches us to believe that everything will turn out right eventually, because when somebody's keeping the moon, sooner or later it will surely appear again in the sky, bright and full of hope. :)
I don't really like Colie (the main character & narrator) that much. She's just usually quiet and doesn't stand up for herself, not until the very end. And I kept waiting for something big to happen, like a twist or just some event to get me on the edge while reading. But it doesn't come. I didn't really realize I was close to the end, because I kept waiting and waiting, so I was stunned that I was almost finished reading when i'm on the last few pages.
But it still has some morals in it. I learned that nobody really failed on anything. Because failing means you've tried, and that's already an accomplishment on its own. It means you've started, you've taken one step already. And it teaches us to believe that everything will turn out right eventually, because when somebody's keeping the moon, sooner or later it will surely appear again in the sky, bright and full of hope. :)
May 22, 2015
3.5 stars
July 6, 2011
Not my favorite Dessen, but like all her books that I've read so far, it's compulsively readable and likable, and full of great, quirky characters, honest emotion, and unforgettable settings. I love the way Dessen writes female friendships in particular--they always feel real and nuanced, veering from loving exasperation to crazy joy to impatience to rock-steady love. Just like all the best relationships I've known in real life.
December 3, 2017
Just read if you want to read all the Dessen books. Otherwise, skip it. The book abruptly ends and there's no real closure to Colie's slightly frayed relationship with her mother. One good thing I will say is that I enjoyed Isabel and Morgan's relationship/friendship.
Colie is sent to stay with her Aunt Mia for the summer. Her famous mother is traveling and Colie is shuffled off for the summer. You may initially get the impression that Colie's mother doesn't care, but she does. We just don't get a lot of time getting to know them much cause Dessen drops tidbits here and there and jumps around.
We find out that Colie is having a hard time at school and that rumors about her have caused her to hide herself. Meeting Morgan, Isabel, and Norman slowly has her coming out of her shell. I do say though I'm not a huge fan of suddenly a girl being "gorgeous" by getting her hair done, eyebrows plucked, and makeup being applied. I think ultimately Dessen wants young girls to read this and realize they are beautiful no matter what. She kind of negates all that with the reveal about Isabel though making it seem that when you get older,you automatically are going to be a beauty.
The character of Mia is pretty much ignored, no real depth there. I'm surprised Colie at least doesn't bring up how hard her and her mother's life was while I was sitting on money. Most of this book felt like things were left unsaid.
The book is fairly short. Probably why I felt like a lot of things were left undone. I would have liked some scenes with Colie back home, dating, standing tall against her tormenters.
Colie is sent to stay with her Aunt Mia for the summer. Her famous mother is traveling and Colie is shuffled off for the summer. You may initially get the impression that Colie's mother doesn't care, but she does. We just don't get a lot of time getting to know them much cause Dessen drops tidbits here and there and jumps around.
We find out that Colie is having a hard time at school and that rumors about her have caused her to hide herself. Meeting Morgan, Isabel, and Norman slowly has her coming out of her shell. I do say though I'm not a huge fan of suddenly a girl being "gorgeous" by getting her hair done, eyebrows plucked, and makeup being applied. I think ultimately Dessen wants young girls to read this and realize they are beautiful no matter what. She kind of negates all that with the reveal about Isabel though making it seem that when you get older,you automatically are going to be a beauty.
The character of Mia is pretty much ignored, no real depth there. I'm surprised Colie at least doesn't bring up how hard her and her mother's life was while I was sitting on money. Most of this book felt like things were left unsaid.
The book is fairly short. Probably why I felt like a lot of things were left undone. I would have liked some scenes with Colie back home, dating, standing tall against her tormenters.
June 5, 2020
There's just something about S.D. that I can't get enough of. I read one of her books every few days and have yet to come across one I haven't enjoyed. She is a solid author and although her genre is pretty specific and a lot of her story lines have a certain pattern to them, she always manages to make each one individual and enjoyable.
December 2, 2016
Even though I really liked this book and I did put it on my favorite list, I really wish I´ve read it when I was 15 (the age of the main character) this is such a positive book about self-esteem and how to get it. Its a positive love yourself book. I just wished it was more fat-positive.
November 4, 2015
I have great news guys! I am finally done my Sarah Dessen marathon! I know I haven't read Someone Like You, but I wasn't planning on reading that book. I am so happy to move onto other books, I loved doing this marathon but I went through many ups and downs. Sometimes, I wasn't a huge fan of her books but most of the time, I loved her books.
HAPPY DANCE!
“You should never be surprised when someone treats you with respect, you should expect it.”
Colie is a fifteen year old girl who has been bullied her whole life. Her mother is Kiki Sparks, famous for most of her wight loss advertisements. Colie feels so alone and doesn't have any friends. That is until she moves in with her aunt named Mira, for the rest of the summer. Since Colie's mom is touring Europe, she has no choice but to live with her aunt. But while she lived with her aunt, she learned so much about friendship and respect.
“It's so, so stupid what we do to ourselves because we're afraid. It's so stupid.”
The characters were the best in this book, I loved all of them. Morgan was so sweet, but at the same time, I wish she listened to Isabel. Isabel was an awesome friend but sometimes, she hurts people's feelings without thinking. Norman was the best and at times, I felt super bad for him. I loved Mira and Cat Norman was the best too. And Colie was a good character because of how much I could relate to her. I knew how she felt and I love it when I understand how a character feels and why they feel that way.
“Their words, like the music, had the potential to be endless.”
I wish there was more to the book, it could've been longer. There is so much that could've been added to this story.
I loved the relationships and bonds with the characters. Isabel and Morgan were awesome and I loved their friendship. The way they bonded was just so sweet and realistic at the same time. Norman was an awesome character and I feel like he was really patient. I didn't like it when Colie ignored him but it was fine in the end. I loved Mira's bond with Colie, it was sweet and nice to read about.
“Self respect, Colie. If you don't have it, the world will walk all over you.”
Overall, I did enjoy this book, I just wish it was longer. I felt like a lot of things were rushed near the end of the book. If you haven't read anything by Sarah Dessen, I highly recommend you read Just Listen, The Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Along for the Ride, Lock and Key or What Happened to Goodbye. If you have read a Sarah Dessen book, I recommend you read this book. :)
HAPPY DANCE!
“You should never be surprised when someone treats you with respect, you should expect it.”
Colie is a fifteen year old girl who has been bullied her whole life. Her mother is Kiki Sparks, famous for most of her wight loss advertisements. Colie feels so alone and doesn't have any friends. That is until she moves in with her aunt named Mira, for the rest of the summer. Since Colie's mom is touring Europe, she has no choice but to live with her aunt. But while she lived with her aunt, she learned so much about friendship and respect.
“It's so, so stupid what we do to ourselves because we're afraid. It's so stupid.”
The characters were the best in this book, I loved all of them. Morgan was so sweet, but at the same time, I wish she listened to Isabel. Isabel was an awesome friend but sometimes, she hurts people's feelings without thinking. Norman was the best and at times, I felt super bad for him. I loved Mira and Cat Norman was the best too. And Colie was a good character because of how much I could relate to her. I knew how she felt and I love it when I understand how a character feels and why they feel that way.
“Their words, like the music, had the potential to be endless.”
I wish there was more to the book, it could've been longer. There is so much that could've been added to this story.
I loved the relationships and bonds with the characters. Isabel and Morgan were awesome and I loved their friendship. The way they bonded was just so sweet and realistic at the same time. Norman was an awesome character and I feel like he was really patient. I didn't like it when Colie ignored him but it was fine in the end. I loved Mira's bond with Colie, it was sweet and nice to read about.
“Self respect, Colie. If you don't have it, the world will walk all over you.”
Overall, I did enjoy this book, I just wish it was longer. I felt like a lot of things were rushed near the end of the book. If you haven't read anything by Sarah Dessen, I highly recommend you read Just Listen, The Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Along for the Ride, Lock and Key or What Happened to Goodbye. If you have read a Sarah Dessen book, I recommend you read this book. :)
July 1, 2016
5 Words: Friendship, confidence, unique, girl-power, change.
This was my first ever Sarah Dessen and I definitely enjoyed it. It was a relatively quick read that I didn't have to focus 100% on - which is a good thing as I was puppy-sitting.
Last Chance was quite empowering. It made me feel good. But it also made me angry. I hate bullies. I can't stand them.
I liked that all of the characters had changed by the end and that you learned so much about them. They were quirky, multi-dimensional and believable.
I wish I had read this ten years ago, that's when it would have done the most for me. The message of friendship and being yourself and staying strong is one I wish I'd had back then.
This was my first ever Sarah Dessen and I definitely enjoyed it. It was a relatively quick read that I didn't have to focus 100% on - which is a good thing as I was puppy-sitting.
Last Chance was quite empowering. It made me feel good. But it also made me angry. I hate bullies. I can't stand them.
I liked that all of the characters had changed by the end and that you learned so much about them. They were quirky, multi-dimensional and believable.
I wish I had read this ten years ago, that's when it would have done the most for me. The message of friendship and being yourself and staying strong is one I wish I'd had back then.
November 3, 2024
This was a great young adult book. This was first published in 1999 so I would have been close to the same age as Isabel and Morgan. Colie has to go live with her aunt for the summer as her mother is away advertising her fitness empire. Colie has always been an outcast and even though she lost 45 pounds she is still friendless and made fun of in her hometown. Living with her Aunt Mira is a chance to reinvent herself. She gets a job and makes friends with two older girls, Isabel and Morgan. Colie's summer away might just be the fresh start she needs to change things for the better.
There were so many universal issues that teenage girls go through that I think any female could relate. What I loved most about the book was the message that the author was trying to get across. We are all insecure and have issues but we need those reassurances that it doesn't matter what others think. I also loved that this book was older and it reminded me of what being a teenager was like without cell phones and having a walk man. I think this is a wonderful book for any teenage girl but I also think older women would enjoy it as well. There is a great lesson for all of us no matter what age we are.
There were so many universal issues that teenage girls go through that I think any female could relate. What I loved most about the book was the message that the author was trying to get across. We are all insecure and have issues but we need those reassurances that it doesn't matter what others think. I also loved that this book was older and it reminded me of what being a teenager was like without cell phones and having a walk man. I think this is a wonderful book for any teenage girl but I also think older women would enjoy it as well. There is a great lesson for all of us no matter what age we are.
June 29, 2008
Colie feels like she has been abandoned, and to anyone else, it might actually look that way to, being dropped off to spend the summer with an Aunt she hardly knows. As Colie tries to adjust to her very different Aunt Mira and her strange artistic tenant, Norman, she lands a waitressing job at the local diner and meets Morgan and Isabel, two girls who have gone through high school and survived. Over the course of the summer Colie finds out this might have been just what she needed.
I really liked Norman - he was my favorite character, his personality just made me smile. Through out the book there were several parts where I was on the verge of tears or about to bust out laughing, it kept me hooked and wanting to not stop until I got to the end. There was a little bit of language, which I didn't particularly care for. Sarah did an excellent job of showing a broken, sad girl who thought she was stuck and how with the help of a couple eccentric new friends, she finds the strength that was hiding all along inside her, to change.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
I really liked Norman - he was my favorite character, his personality just made me smile. Through out the book there were several parts where I was on the verge of tears or about to bust out laughing, it kept me hooked and wanting to not stop until I got to the end. There was a little bit of language, which I didn't particularly care for. Sarah did an excellent job of showing a broken, sad girl who thought she was stuck and how with the help of a couple eccentric new friends, she finds the strength that was hiding all along inside her, to change.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
August 26, 2016
My first Dessen read and the one that lead me to her other marvelous novels. I drank the kool-aid once and never turned back.
I need to do a proper review for this one day. It has a good lesson on how other people can help you and that sometimes you are more special than you thought you were. The title fits and is such a cool name.
I need to do a proper review for this one day. It has a good lesson on how other people can help you and that sometimes you are more special than you thought you were. The title fits and is such a cool name.
September 4, 2018
I've done it, I've read my first Sarah Dessen.
Gotta say I was delighted by her writing style and her creativity.
I'm looking forward to checking out more of her books.
P.S
Norman is adorable! (both the human and the cat).
Gotta say I was delighted by her writing style and her creativity.
I'm looking forward to checking out more of her books.
P.S
Norman is adorable! (both the human and the cat).
February 5, 2023
I don’t know whether Isabel or Morgan was my favorite character, but they were the best parts of this book!
[REVIEW]
*Trigger/content warnings in this book for fatphobia, body shaming, and slut shaming*
I read Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen back in 2020 and was blown away by the poignancy of the story. It was my first time reading a book by Sarah Dessen, and it made me even more excited to explore her other books. I chose Keeping the Moon next because sounded like a perfect summer read that I could breeze through in a couple of days.
While this wasn’t THE WORST book I read in 2021, I was still disappointed. Yes, it was a quick read, and it did give me the summery vibes I’d been hoping for. But when I finished the book, I had one thought replaying in my mind:
“Wait…that was it?”
MY THOUGHTS ON…
WHAT I LIKED:
•Let’s start with the positives. First, any book that includes a cat or dog always gets points from me. And if the cat or dog doesn’t die by the end, the book will ALWAYS get an extra star. What I’m saying is, I loved Cat Norman and I wanted more scenes of him. He deserved more page time.
•Colie’s first interaction with Isabel and Morgan’s first interaction was HILARIOUS! The scene immediately revealed how they were foils of each other, with Morgan being melodramatic and friendly, and Isabel being blunt and serious. I totally felt like I would’ve been Colie in that scene: unsure how to respond, and finding it odd how calm Isabel was as Morgan ranted.
•As I’ve mentioned before, Isabel and Morgan were my favorite characters. Morgan was my favorite very early on, with her kindness towards Colie and ability to make me laugh. And I felt terrible for her whenever her boyfriend treated her like trash. Morgan seriously deserved SO MUCH better than him.
Isabel, however, took a while for me to like. She was even my least favorite character for a while! She wasn’t the softest person when Colie first met her, and it was obvious that she didn’t like Colie for some reason. Even when she DID first start helping Colie, I didn’t always like her tough love.
But the more she and Colie warmed up to each other, the more I started to like Isabel. She never changed or softened, but I could tell she really did care about Morgan and Colie. She also had a lot of great advice, and was always there for emotional support when Morgan was having boyfriend problems.
•When it came to Isabel and Morgan’s friendship, I loved that they bickered and didn’t always agree on everything—but you tell that they still cared about each other and neither wouldn’t abandon the other when the going got tough. They constantly challenged each other, and balanced each other wonderfully throughout the story.
Also, then singing and dancing to “I Will Survive” was FRIENDSHIP GOALS. I’ll never listen to “I Will Survive” the same way again!
MY CRITIQUES:
•Like I said before, I was left thinking “Wait…that’s it?” I think the biggest reason was that this book was so short. Like, it’s less than 250 pages. Not to say short books can’t have complete character arcs and plot lines. They totally can! However, with all of the subplots that were in this book, I felt like less than 250 pages wasn’t enough to wrap everything up. Subplots included:
•The romance. Y’all, I wasn’t a fan of the romance between Colie and Norman. For one, it developed WAY too late in the story. I think the first time Colie and Norman showed any romantic interest in each other was roughly eighty pages from the end. And while Norman was a nice guy, I felt he was also underdeveloped. I wished we’d gotten to learn more about him throughout the story, rather than those last eighty pages. And I especially wished they didn’t have a three year age game. Why did Colie have to be 15 and Norman have to be 18? That made me uneasy to read about.
•The book opened with Colie bitterly departing from her mother at the train station. When I read this scene, I immediately thought that Colie’s relationship with her mother was going to play a big part in the book. I thought time away from her mother would give Colie time to sit with the anger towards her mom that she’d been bottling up for years. This would lead the calls with her mom to grow more tense, and we’d eventually have a scene where Colie confronted her.
Unfortunately, Colie and her relationship with her mom ended up being brushed to the side. I get that they weren’t around each other, but…I still thought Colie’s mom would play a more active role in the book. Colie called her mom probably twice in the book, and she hardly talked about her mother with Isabel and Morgan. We didn’t even get to see them reunite at the end of the book, which I was REALLY disappointed about.
•Going off of that, I thought this was going to end with Colie returning home, and we’d see how reluctant she was to leave. But the ending we got was WAY too rushed and abrupt. This was literally the last fifty pages of the book: Morgan broke up with her boyfriend. She and Isabel weren’t getting along. Colie then went on a date with Norman and they kissed. Suddenly Isabel and Morgan were fine, and everyone was friends again. The end.
I honestly thought I was missing pages, or had skipped some time in my audiobook (I was both listening to the audiobook and reading a physical copy). So when I realized that, no, that was actually THE END, I was left SUPER unsatisfied. I couldn’t even figure out what I was rate this for while, because even though I liked this book, the ending really did throw me off. I wish there had been more closure. The book still could’ve had an open-ending, but with Colie getting on the train back home. Questions could’ve been swirling in her mind as she left: Would she ever come back? Would she and Norman try to do long distance? How would she deal with the bullies once school started? And would Morgan find someone new? These are questions I would’ve been okay with not being answered. Instead, all my questions were like, “Wait, that’s it? Colie and Norman are now a thing? Morgan’s suddenly fine? We’re not going to see Colie’s mother again???”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While I didn’t love this as much as Just Listen, I still plan on reading more of Sarah Dessen’s books. I do recommend this is if you’re looking for a quick, summer read with awesome friendships!
[REVIEW]
*Trigger/content warnings in this book for fatphobia, body shaming, and slut shaming*
I read Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen back in 2020 and was blown away by the poignancy of the story. It was my first time reading a book by Sarah Dessen, and it made me even more excited to explore her other books. I chose Keeping the Moon next because sounded like a perfect summer read that I could breeze through in a couple of days.
While this wasn’t THE WORST book I read in 2021, I was still disappointed. Yes, it was a quick read, and it did give me the summery vibes I’d been hoping for. But when I finished the book, I had one thought replaying in my mind:
“Wait…that was it?”
MY THOUGHTS ON…
WHAT I LIKED:
•Let’s start with the positives. First, any book that includes a cat or dog always gets points from me. And if the cat or dog doesn’t die by the end, the book will ALWAYS get an extra star. What I’m saying is, I loved Cat Norman and I wanted more scenes of him. He deserved more page time.
•Colie’s first interaction with Isabel and Morgan’s first interaction was HILARIOUS! The scene immediately revealed how they were foils of each other, with Morgan being melodramatic and friendly, and Isabel being blunt and serious. I totally felt like I would’ve been Colie in that scene: unsure how to respond, and finding it odd how calm Isabel was as Morgan ranted.
•As I’ve mentioned before, Isabel and Morgan were my favorite characters. Morgan was my favorite very early on, with her kindness towards Colie and ability to make me laugh. And I felt terrible for her whenever her boyfriend treated her like trash. Morgan seriously deserved SO MUCH better than him.
Isabel, however, took a while for me to like. She was even my least favorite character for a while! She wasn’t the softest person when Colie first met her, and it was obvious that she didn’t like Colie for some reason. Even when she DID first start helping Colie, I didn’t always like her tough love.
But the more she and Colie warmed up to each other, the more I started to like Isabel. She never changed or softened, but I could tell she really did care about Morgan and Colie. She also had a lot of great advice, and was always there for emotional support when Morgan was having boyfriend problems.
•When it came to Isabel and Morgan’s friendship, I loved that they bickered and didn’t always agree on everything—but you tell that they still cared about each other and neither wouldn’t abandon the other when the going got tough. They constantly challenged each other, and balanced each other wonderfully throughout the story.
Also, then singing and dancing to “I Will Survive” was FRIENDSHIP GOALS. I’ll never listen to “I Will Survive” the same way again!
MY CRITIQUES:
•Like I said before, I was left thinking “Wait…that’s it?” I think the biggest reason was that this book was so short. Like, it’s less than 250 pages. Not to say short books can’t have complete character arcs and plot lines. They totally can! However, with all of the subplots that were in this book, I felt like less than 250 pages wasn’t enough to wrap everything up. Subplots included:
•The romance. Y’all, I wasn’t a fan of the romance between Colie and Norman. For one, it developed WAY too late in the story. I think the first time Colie and Norman showed any romantic interest in each other was roughly eighty pages from the end. And while Norman was a nice guy, I felt he was also underdeveloped. I wished we’d gotten to learn more about him throughout the story, rather than those last eighty pages. And I especially wished they didn’t have a three year age game. Why did Colie have to be 15 and Norman have to be 18? That made me uneasy to read about.
•The book opened with Colie bitterly departing from her mother at the train station. When I read this scene, I immediately thought that Colie’s relationship with her mother was going to play a big part in the book. I thought time away from her mother would give Colie time to sit with the anger towards her mom that she’d been bottling up for years. This would lead the calls with her mom to grow more tense, and we’d eventually have a scene where Colie confronted her.
Unfortunately, Colie and her relationship with her mom ended up being brushed to the side. I get that they weren’t around each other, but…I still thought Colie’s mom would play a more active role in the book. Colie called her mom probably twice in the book, and she hardly talked about her mother with Isabel and Morgan. We didn’t even get to see them reunite at the end of the book, which I was REALLY disappointed about.
•Going off of that, I thought this was going to end with Colie returning home, and we’d see how reluctant she was to leave. But the ending we got was WAY too rushed and abrupt. This was literally the last fifty pages of the book: Morgan broke up with her boyfriend. She and Isabel weren’t getting along. Colie then went on a date with Norman and they kissed. Suddenly Isabel and Morgan were fine, and everyone was friends again. The end.
I honestly thought I was missing pages, or had skipped some time in my audiobook (I was both listening to the audiobook and reading a physical copy). So when I realized that, no, that was actually THE END, I was left SUPER unsatisfied. I couldn’t even figure out what I was rate this for while, because even though I liked this book, the ending really did throw me off. I wish there had been more closure. The book still could’ve had an open-ending, but with Colie getting on the train back home. Questions could’ve been swirling in her mind as she left: Would she ever come back? Would she and Norman try to do long distance? How would she deal with the bullies once school started? And would Morgan find someone new? These are questions I would’ve been okay with not being answered. Instead, all my questions were like, “Wait, that’s it? Colie and Norman are now a thing? Morgan’s suddenly fine? We’re not going to see Colie’s mother again???”
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While I didn’t love this as much as Just Listen, I still plan on reading more of Sarah Dessen’s books. I do recommend this is if you’re looking for a quick, summer read with awesome friendships!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2016
Every book I read by Sarah has such a powerful lesson to be learned. And this is no exception. Absolutely wonderful story.
July 26, 2020
This book is about Colie, a very super unconfident teen (despite her mom being a celebrity) who spends her summer with her not so ordinary aunt and unexpectedly gains not friends and begins to develop a sense of self-worth. Hated the fat and slut shaming but good message about gaining a sense of self-worth//self-esteem, although not sure if Colie achieved that entirely by the end of the book.
I do wish one mean girl (from Colie's school) had something drop on her.
This was rather unexpected, there's a tone to the writing that kept me reading. A few years ago and I think I would have loved this, as it stands it has me curious to try another book by the author.
A nice one time read.
99p on amazon 20th July 2020.
I do wish one mean girl (from Colie's school) had something drop on her.
This was rather unexpected, there's a tone to the writing that kept me reading. A few years ago and I think I would have loved this, as it stands it has me curious to try another book by the author.
A nice one time read.
99p on amazon 20th July 2020.
February 4, 2018
I feel like it has been a while since I've read my last Sarah Dessen book.. and I have no idea how I feel about that..
Keeping the Moon was pretty good. The MC, Colie, is a 15 year old girl who has been basically bullied all her life. I felt so bad for her because she felt so alone and she didn't really have friends either. At least until she lives with her Aunt Mira for the summer because her mom, who is famous for weight loss advertisements, is touring throughout Europe.
Now if it were up to me, I would have gone on the tour because it was EUROPE. However, I really liked that Colie went to live with her aunt because she really needed that. Aunt Mira taught Colie about friendship and respect and I'm sure Colie will never forget about any of her advice or the time spent with her.
Besides Colie and Aunt Mira, there's Morgan, Isabel, and Norman. All three were very enjoyable and likable. I don't think I hated a single character in this book because they were just all written so wonderfully. I do wish that Morgan listened to her friends advice more often though. Oh, and that Isabel should probably think before speaks. Although she's so completely like me because I never sugar coat anything to anybody.
Overall, I wanted more. This book felt so short to me. I will however accept what I cannot change because I did love the book. I definitely need to get back on the Sarah Dessen book train because I feel like it has been too long since I read the last book from her. I don't even remember the name of the last book!! Maybe it will pop up in my brain later today or tomorrow. I hope.
Keeping the Moon was pretty good. The MC, Colie, is a 15 year old girl who has been basically bullied all her life. I felt so bad for her because she felt so alone and she didn't really have friends either. At least until she lives with her Aunt Mira for the summer because her mom, who is famous for weight loss advertisements, is touring throughout Europe.
Now if it were up to me, I would have gone on the tour because it was EUROPE. However, I really liked that Colie went to live with her aunt because she really needed that. Aunt Mira taught Colie about friendship and respect and I'm sure Colie will never forget about any of her advice or the time spent with her.
Besides Colie and Aunt Mira, there's Morgan, Isabel, and Norman. All three were very enjoyable and likable. I don't think I hated a single character in this book because they were just all written so wonderfully. I do wish that Morgan listened to her friends advice more often though. Oh, and that Isabel should probably think before speaks. Although she's so completely like me because I never sugar coat anything to anybody.
Overall, I wanted more. This book felt so short to me. I will however accept what I cannot change because I did love the book. I definitely need to get back on the Sarah Dessen book train because I feel like it has been too long since I read the last book from her. I don't even remember the name of the last book!! Maybe it will pop up in my brain later today or tomorrow. I hope.
December 1, 2012
Colie has no faith in herself. Her mother is a star—a fitness queen who exercised her way out of 100 plus pounds, homelessness, and the country. Leaving Colie to experience the summer with her aunt in a nameless town where the only notable eatery is called Last Chance. But Colie knows better than to anticipate a new start for herself. She has moved often enough to expect the inevitable taunts, the derision, and the isolation.
Sure enough, even though she’s no longer Fat-Colie or Hole-in-One-Colie, the first thing everyone comments on is her lip ring.
Especially Isabel, who along with her sister Morgan, runs the Last Chance. But then something strange happens. Times three.
An apology.
An emergency.
And a job offer.
Suddenly Colie isn’t alone. She may even learn to “keep the moon.”
Perhaps more than any of the author’s other characters, Colie felt very real to me. Her dilemmas. Her reactions to others. Her complete ineptitude to navigate teenage society. To Colie, the past is inescapable. Until . . . friendship. Keeping the Moon is full of quirky humor and wonderful details—along with an engaging subplot of first romance—but the story’s true center is friendship. One of the most powerful forces on earth.
Sure enough, even though she’s no longer Fat-Colie or Hole-in-One-Colie, the first thing everyone comments on is her lip ring.
Especially Isabel, who along with her sister Morgan, runs the Last Chance. But then something strange happens. Times three.
An apology.
An emergency.
And a job offer.
Suddenly Colie isn’t alone. She may even learn to “keep the moon.”
Perhaps more than any of the author’s other characters, Colie felt very real to me. Her dilemmas. Her reactions to others. Her complete ineptitude to navigate teenage society. To Colie, the past is inescapable. Until . . . friendship. Keeping the Moon is full of quirky humor and wonderful details—along with an engaging subplot of first romance—but the story’s true center is friendship. One of the most powerful forces on earth.
July 21, 2025
Keeping the Moon is the first book by Sarah Dessen that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. The book takes place during Colie's summer vacation when she is fifteen in Colby, North Carolina.
I have to say that at 65, it has been 50 years since I was 15. I still remember feeling like the odd girl out... I was the daughter of the town drunk...I was not accepted as an Anglo nor as Spanish American (my Father was an Anglo, my Mother Spanish American). I was plain, gawky, quiet, and just wanted to fit in and be accepted. I was bullied and laughed at and tolerated, but didn't really fit in. I was too wrapped up in my own misery and insecurity to realize that others were suffering just as much or more.
I chose this book to fit several prompts or tasks for some reading challenges. Colie comes to spend the summer with her Aunt Mira while her Mother is on a publicity tour in Europe. Mira is an artist who happily marches to music only she hears, and is completely at home in her own skin.
Colie comes into her own during this summer vacation. She gets a job, makes friends, and begins to see herself in a different light. As she finds acceptance, she begins to realize her own power to change her reality. Her new friends are slightly older, and help her in subtle ways to look beyond the bullies who tear others down.
I am at a crossroads in my life, and I have some choices and decisions to make. I buried a close friend and mentor Thursday. She dropped me off at home after we closed the library on July 3rd, collapsed at home on July 6th, and died on July 7th. I don't know if I will be allowed to staff the library and relief clerk until a new clerk is hired, or if I will still be able to volunteer. The library is my passion and my love.
Keeping the Moon was a perfect choice for this time in my life. I am choosing to embrace the uncertainty. I am choosing to see myself in a new light and embrace new possibilities. I am choosing to embrace myself and believe in myself.
I have to say that at 65, it has been 50 years since I was 15. I still remember feeling like the odd girl out... I was the daughter of the town drunk...I was not accepted as an Anglo nor as Spanish American (my Father was an Anglo, my Mother Spanish American). I was plain, gawky, quiet, and just wanted to fit in and be accepted. I was bullied and laughed at and tolerated, but didn't really fit in. I was too wrapped up in my own misery and insecurity to realize that others were suffering just as much or more.
I chose this book to fit several prompts or tasks for some reading challenges. Colie comes to spend the summer with her Aunt Mira while her Mother is on a publicity tour in Europe. Mira is an artist who happily marches to music only she hears, and is completely at home in her own skin.
Colie comes into her own during this summer vacation. She gets a job, makes friends, and begins to see herself in a different light. As she finds acceptance, she begins to realize her own power to change her reality. Her new friends are slightly older, and help her in subtle ways to look beyond the bullies who tear others down.
I am at a crossroads in my life, and I have some choices and decisions to make. I buried a close friend and mentor Thursday. She dropped me off at home after we closed the library on July 3rd, collapsed at home on July 6th, and died on July 7th. I don't know if I will be allowed to staff the library and relief clerk until a new clerk is hired, or if I will still be able to volunteer. The library is my passion and my love.
Keeping the Moon was a perfect choice for this time in my life. I am choosing to embrace the uncertainty. I am choosing to see myself in a new light and embrace new possibilities. I am choosing to embrace myself and believe in myself.
May 29, 2019
I was close to DNFing this book, but I made it through.
This book is just so so bad!
The main character, Colie, and her mom used to be overweight, then her mom got a job in a fitness centre and started to work out and eat really healthy and she and Colie got thin and fit. Now her mom is a fitness guru, well known and on a tour through Europe. So Colie has to live with her aunt who is still obese.
While everyone in her aunts' town is judging her aunt, she doesn't care, but Colie herself was bullied for a long time and every time someone says something mean, she immediately goes into defense mode. But at the same time Colie herself judges her aunt, her choices of meals and clothing.
This book is also about Colie finding 'real friends' for the first time in her life. Just to be clear, my definition of a real friend is someone you can rely on and someone who will always be there for you. Someone who is honest but won't hurt you. Sarah Dessens definition seems to be very different.
Morgan and Isabel are best friends, they live together and they are rather weird. Isabel is always described as beautiful (that's her main character trait) and she seems to have to say everything that comes to her mind. (this may sound like she is honest, but she is brutally honest to a point that isn't honesty but just meanness) Morgan is in love with a man she barely knows and she has these moments when she gets really angry and frustrated, but most of the time she is just there, not saying anything.
Are these two friends with Colie? I wouldn't say that. They are mean and pushy and treat her like a project rather than a friend.
But the real dealbreaker was the romance. It was instalove and it was so forced. Colie never liked Norman as more than a friend (and I am not sure if they even really were friends) but he likes her. And then another guy shows interest in her and she likes him and Norman gets really angry about that (why? you aren't even real friends?! you have no permission to be pissed just because she doesn't want to be your gf) and then Isabel and Morgan push Colie to like Norman! Real friends are not angry at you when you don't like a certain boy! They understand and they are happy for you when you find the one! I thought that was super problematic! Isabel and Morgan have no right to force Colie to like Norman! And only because they did, Colie all of a sudden likes him?!
Urgh, this book was just not for me, at all..
I am so sorry, but I can only give it 1 out of 5 stars.
This book is just so so bad!
The main character, Colie, and her mom used to be overweight, then her mom got a job in a fitness centre and started to work out and eat really healthy and she and Colie got thin and fit. Now her mom is a fitness guru, well known and on a tour through Europe. So Colie has to live with her aunt who is still obese.
While everyone in her aunts' town is judging her aunt, she doesn't care, but Colie herself was bullied for a long time and every time someone says something mean, she immediately goes into defense mode. But at the same time Colie herself judges her aunt, her choices of meals and clothing.
This book is also about Colie finding 'real friends' for the first time in her life. Just to be clear, my definition of a real friend is someone you can rely on and someone who will always be there for you. Someone who is honest but won't hurt you. Sarah Dessens definition seems to be very different.
Morgan and Isabel are best friends, they live together and they are rather weird. Isabel is always described as beautiful (that's her main character trait) and she seems to have to say everything that comes to her mind. (this may sound like she is honest, but she is brutally honest to a point that isn't honesty but just meanness) Morgan is in love with a man she barely knows and she has these moments when she gets really angry and frustrated, but most of the time she is just there, not saying anything.
Are these two friends with Colie? I wouldn't say that. They are mean and pushy and treat her like a project rather than a friend.
But the real dealbreaker was the romance. It was instalove and it was so forced. Colie never liked Norman as more than a friend (and I am not sure if they even really were friends) but he likes her. And then another guy shows interest in her and she likes him and Norman gets really angry about that (why? you aren't even real friends?! you have no permission to be pissed just because she doesn't want to be your gf) and then Isabel and Morgan push Colie to like Norman! Real friends are not angry at you when you don't like a certain boy! They understand and they are happy for you when you find the one! I thought that was super problematic! Isabel and Morgan have no right to force Colie to like Norman! And only because they did, Colie all of a sudden likes him?!
Urgh, this book was just not for me, at all..
I am so sorry, but I can only give it 1 out of 5 stars.
July 8, 2011
so, on the inside flap (which i assume has a technical name, but i don't know it), it reads: it's like a cinderella tale that could really happen to you. i paraphrase, but the gist is accurate.
let's get this straight, then: my mother could be a weight loss guru (female richard simmons) who pawns me off on my eccentric morbidly obese aunt who loves broken things because nobody's perfect and once i'm there i can get an impromptu summer job at a diner/cafe where i meet two girls 1. who is a beautiful bitch with a heart of gold (or at least titanium) who gives me a half-assed makeover that really just involves evening out my hair color and plucking my steve martin eyebrows and 2. a much nicer one who is engaged to a philandering AAA baseball player and oblivious to his uselessness. at my job, i will meet the sweetest, nicest dirty hippie painter boy who will have a huge crush on me but who i will initially scare off with my lip ring and black hair but who i will realize is mr. perfect for me when i get chewed out for thinking i'm hotter and better than he is when an attractive guy asks me out. oh, and after sweet painter boy does a portrait of me.
somewhere in there i will get the nads to tell off my archnemesis at a bonfire, by the way.
and there will be a really awkward metaphor about butterflies in cocoons that will culminate in me feeling weirdly dizzy like i'm flying high, sprouting wings, ceasing to act/look like a ground-laden larvae or something. and together, painterboy and i will keep the moon, because true love conquers all, even low self esteem, preteen bullying, and crackpot parents who just don't understand.
because that shit is always happening to me.
let's get this straight, then: my mother could be a weight loss guru (female richard simmons) who pawns me off on my eccentric morbidly obese aunt who loves broken things because nobody's perfect and once i'm there i can get an impromptu summer job at a diner/cafe where i meet two girls 1. who is a beautiful bitch with a heart of gold (or at least titanium) who gives me a half-assed makeover that really just involves evening out my hair color and plucking my steve martin eyebrows and 2. a much nicer one who is engaged to a philandering AAA baseball player and oblivious to his uselessness. at my job, i will meet the sweetest, nicest dirty hippie painter boy who will have a huge crush on me but who i will initially scare off with my lip ring and black hair but who i will realize is mr. perfect for me when i get chewed out for thinking i'm hotter and better than he is when an attractive guy asks me out. oh, and after sweet painter boy does a portrait of me.
somewhere in there i will get the nads to tell off my archnemesis at a bonfire, by the way.
and there will be a really awkward metaphor about butterflies in cocoons that will culminate in me feeling weirdly dizzy like i'm flying high, sprouting wings, ceasing to act/look like a ground-laden larvae or something. and together, painterboy and i will keep the moon, because true love conquers all, even low self esteem, preteen bullying, and crackpot parents who just don't understand.
because that shit is always happening to me.
June 10, 2018
This book was okay and fun, but definitely not my favorite Sarah Dessen book.
The book follows the story of Colie. When she was young she was overweigh and now even though she’s really slim, she still has no body confidence and moreover she has to deal with the bulling in the past and name calling.
First of all the book was really slow. The first 30% were boring and slow and sometimes annoyed me.
However the main reason I didn’t like this book was the main character. She was annoying and I really didn’t like her. She acted as if she was sort of superior. She had no confidence, but she acted as if her problems were the most serious that ever existed. There was a part when she was talking with another character about school problems and sort of bulling. And she was acting as if if you were slim and pretty you would never know what real problems and body image issues are. I just found that really annoying.
Another thing that I didn’t like was her relationship with Norman. It was just unnecessary
The book follows the story of Colie. When she was young she was overweigh and now even though she’s really slim, she still has no body confidence and moreover she has to deal with the bulling in the past and name calling.
First of all the book was really slow. The first 30% were boring and slow and sometimes annoyed me.
However the main reason I didn’t like this book was the main character. She was annoying and I really didn’t like her. She acted as if she was sort of superior. She had no confidence, but she acted as if her problems were the most serious that ever existed. There was a part when she was talking with another character about school problems and sort of bulling. And she was acting as if if you were slim and pretty you would never know what real problems and body image issues are. I just found that really annoying.
Another thing that I didn’t like was her relationship with Norman. It was just unnecessary
August 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure I was going to like it in the beginning chapter because Colie was a little irritating at first. I then started to grow to like her though. Sarah Dessen seems to do this a lot in her books, I've realized this, that she seems to skim through the days. I think that's why I always would give her books 4 stars instead of 5 because I wanted it to be more descriptive I guess. But I do love her books, they are very beautiful.
- Colie
So as I said, I didn't really think I was going to like this book because of her character but I found myself really liking Colie's character. I didn't love Colie but I did like her. I wish she was a little more open though, she always would keep to herself and I just wanted her to speak up numerous times.
- Norman
I really liked Norman. The only thing I really wished was different was how engaged Norman's character was. It was mostly all about Colie, Isabel, and Morgan I sometimes forgot he was even there until the last few chapters and the very few times he would be mentioned. For some reason, at the beginning I thought he was older, like in his 30's for some reason. I have no idea why I thought that...
- Isabel
I loved Isabel's character. Even though she was very rude a lot of times, I did enjoy her character. She was just so real, I loved her.
- Morgan
No. No. No. I didn't like Morgan one bit. How naive she was just got me so frustrated. I couldn't stand Morgan's character at all. Everything about her irritated me.
Overall, I was expecting something big to happen, like with her mother to finally talk to her about not being so controlling. Or just something to get me hyped but it didn't happen so I was disappointed but the book does have a beautiful message to it. I absolutely loved Mira, she did things that she enjoyed and didn't care one bit about what others thought, I really admired her character. Not my favorite by Dessen, but this was still a great book.
June 30, 2012
More of my reviews @ Reading 24x7
Keeping The Moon was short, sweet and like all other Dessen books, had that "wise" message in the end.
This book was just so normal and plain and..normal. Yet for some reason once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. See, that's always the case when I read any Sarah Dessen books. They're like music which makes you wanna just leave everything else and get into the flow. The messages that's always there in her books are so wonderful and we can always expect to learn something important while reading her books.
Anyway, coming back to this book, I really liked the way Colie slowly changed from a shy, always hiding and cowering sort of a girl to a confident, beautiful and sure person. The insecurities she had is actually pretty common for us teenagers. I felt like I could really understand her.
Personally, my favourite character in this book was Isabel. She might come off as snarky in the beginning but in the end, I don't think anyone could help but love her.
She was the one who took the initiative of transforming Colie and supporting her in her own ways. Isabel made me believe that if other people make you feel inferior, its not because they want you to become the target. It's you who's letting them do that to you.
The saying, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent" has been nicely put up in this story and, and I abso-abso-absolutely loved eet!! :D
Keeping The Moon was short, sweet and like all other Dessen books, had that "wise" message in the end.
This book was just so normal and plain and..normal. Yet for some reason once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. See, that's always the case when I read any Sarah Dessen books. They're like music which makes you wanna just leave everything else and get into the flow. The messages that's always there in her books are so wonderful and we can always expect to learn something important while reading her books.
Anyway, coming back to this book, I really liked the way Colie slowly changed from a shy, always hiding and cowering sort of a girl to a confident, beautiful and sure person. The insecurities she had is actually pretty common for us teenagers. I felt like I could really understand her.
Personally, my favourite character in this book was Isabel. She might come off as snarky in the beginning but in the end, I don't think anyone could help but love her.
She was the one who took the initiative of transforming Colie and supporting her in her own ways. Isabel made me believe that if other people make you feel inferior, its not because they want you to become the target. It's you who's letting them do that to you.
The saying, "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent" has been nicely put up in this story and, and I abso-abso-absolutely loved eet!! :D
April 27, 2017
Colie Sparks is spending the summer with her aunt while her mom is on a European tour for work. Her aunt lives in the adorable beach town of Colby, North Carolina and Colie expects a boring summer is ahead of her, but just the opposite happens. She is still dealing with a lot of issues regarding her self-esteem; the years of being made fun of for being overweight sort of hang over her head wherever she goes despite the fact that she has lost the weight. While hanging out in Colby, Colie meets Morgan and Isabel, two best friends and waitresses at the local beach cafe. They take Colie under their wings and through their help as well as her eccentric aunt's, she blossoms this summer despite the return of her nemesis. Sarah Dessen's Keeping the Moon is a charming coming-of-age tale with important messages for young girls.
Read my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
June 25, 2015
Once you’ve read several of Sarah’s books, you really start to get a sense as to what you can expect from all the others. I find time and time again that the overall writing style in Sarah’s books really doesn’t change an a lot from book to book. That isn’t particularly a negative thing, because she is a wonderful writer. Even though she is a wonderful writer, that doesn’t stop certain things from becoming slightly repetitive.
Keeping the Moon while having the writing style I have become accustomed to, it varied slightly when it came to the mood of the book. I found this book to be much more brash in the sense that the characters were much more rude and just very different from a lot of the characters I am use to Sarah writing.
There were so many instances throughout the book where I just couldn’t believe some of the things going on, but yet I know how real it is when you look at what so many teens go through. There was one instance that just stuck with me, where Collie was looking at a yearbook picture of one of her friend’s cousin, and the friend was incredibly harsh towards her cousin. With Collie knowing her friends cousin, I would have expected her to speak up and defend her, but she instead turned things around and made it about her by asking a silly question to the girl.
The story overall was good, but it wasn’t on the same level of some of Sarah’s other books. I wasn’t expecting it to be a new favorite, just because I had always heard mixed things about this particular book, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I wasn’t really able to connect with the characters through most of the book due to some of the crazy things they would say and just how rude they were at points, but I get where Sarah was trying to go with the way the girls acted at points. While it felt real, it just made me want to step away from the book at points.
Keeping the Moon has its great moments, and also ones that will leave you slightly shocked. I wish I had enjoyed it a little more than I did, but I am also glad that it was still a decent book. I wouldn’t suggest this as the first Sarah Dessen book that you read, some of the other ones are a lot better. I would suggest you read this book though, because it’s still a good read even though it can be slightly annoying. Just hold off until you have read some of her other books before reading this one.
Keeping the Moon while having the writing style I have become accustomed to, it varied slightly when it came to the mood of the book. I found this book to be much more brash in the sense that the characters were much more rude and just very different from a lot of the characters I am use to Sarah writing.
There were so many instances throughout the book where I just couldn’t believe some of the things going on, but yet I know how real it is when you look at what so many teens go through. There was one instance that just stuck with me, where Collie was looking at a yearbook picture of one of her friend’s cousin, and the friend was incredibly harsh towards her cousin. With Collie knowing her friends cousin, I would have expected her to speak up and defend her, but she instead turned things around and made it about her by asking a silly question to the girl.
The story overall was good, but it wasn’t on the same level of some of Sarah’s other books. I wasn’t expecting it to be a new favorite, just because I had always heard mixed things about this particular book, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I wasn’t really able to connect with the characters through most of the book due to some of the crazy things they would say and just how rude they were at points, but I get where Sarah was trying to go with the way the girls acted at points. While it felt real, it just made me want to step away from the book at points.
Keeping the Moon has its great moments, and also ones that will leave you slightly shocked. I wish I had enjoyed it a little more than I did, but I am also glad that it was still a decent book. I wouldn’t suggest this as the first Sarah Dessen book that you read, some of the other ones are a lot better. I would suggest you read this book though, because it’s still a good read even though it can be slightly annoying. Just hold off until you have read some of her other books before reading this one.
March 30, 2017
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
MY THOUGHTS
I've read almost all of Sarah Dessen's books and, I must say, her books are absolutely brilliant. This isn't my favorite of hers, but this was still a very good book.
This book focuses on Colie. Both Colie and her mom used to be fat, until her mom becomes Kiki Sparks, fitness guru. Now both Colie and her mom are skinny and Kiki Sparks is famous for getting people fit! Kiki has to go on tour, so Colie is left with her electric aunt in a small beach town for the summer. In the course of one summer, Colie will learn how to be someone other than the daughter of Kiki Sparks.
I think Sarah Dessen's book are entirely mislabeled. Sarah Dessen seems to be known as a romance writer, but I never see her books are romance. Her books are all coming-of-age stories and they are just so amazing. Colie changes so much throughout this book! Colie is still haunted by her past, with bullies, both before the Fat Years and after. It was amazing to see the change in her! This book is also a great friendship book! It doesn't seem like it would be at first, as when Colie first meets Morgan and Isabel, they don't really hit it off. But it actually turns into a nice little friendship which helps Colie become more confident in herself.
There is a little romance in this book, but in Sarah Dessen style, it doesn't truly happen until the very end. Still, from the beginning it is very obvious who the love interest is. He's such a great character and has a wonderful personality! Also, he's an "art freak" and, as an art freak myself, I just love seeing fellow artists in books!
IN CONCLUSION
This was a really quick read and it left me with a really good feeling after finishing it! If you love contemporary books, Sarah Dessen, you just want a pick me up, this is a good read for you!
MY THOUGHTS
I've read almost all of Sarah Dessen's books and, I must say, her books are absolutely brilliant. This isn't my favorite of hers, but this was still a very good book.
This book focuses on Colie. Both Colie and her mom used to be fat, until her mom becomes Kiki Sparks, fitness guru. Now both Colie and her mom are skinny and Kiki Sparks is famous for getting people fit! Kiki has to go on tour, so Colie is left with her electric aunt in a small beach town for the summer. In the course of one summer, Colie will learn how to be someone other than the daughter of Kiki Sparks.
I think Sarah Dessen's book are entirely mislabeled. Sarah Dessen seems to be known as a romance writer, but I never see her books are romance. Her books are all coming-of-age stories and they are just so amazing. Colie changes so much throughout this book! Colie is still haunted by her past, with bullies, both before the Fat Years and after. It was amazing to see the change in her! This book is also a great friendship book! It doesn't seem like it would be at first, as when Colie first meets Morgan and Isabel, they don't really hit it off. But it actually turns into a nice little friendship which helps Colie become more confident in herself.
There is a little romance in this book, but in Sarah Dessen style, it doesn't truly happen until the very end. Still, from the beginning it is very obvious who the love interest is. He's such a great character and has a wonderful personality! Also, he's an "art freak" and, as an art freak myself, I just love seeing fellow artists in books!
IN CONCLUSION
This was a really quick read and it left me with a really good feeling after finishing it! If you love contemporary books, Sarah Dessen, you just want a pick me up, this is a good read for you!
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed this novel. The story revolves around the character of Nicole "Colie" Sparks, a fifteen year old girl. While Colie's mother, a famous fitness guru, is doing a fitness tour in Europe, Colie is sent away to live with her aunt Mira in a small town in North Carolina.
I found myself captivated by the characters in this novel and the relationships they have with each other. Colie's story of finding herself and realising the potential that has been there within her all along, is heart-warming and endearing. The story is largely centred on issues of self-esteem and confidence, but mostly it's about hope because Colie finally, with the help of Isabel, Morgan and Norman, looks past the rumours and lies from back home and finds friendship, acceptance and the beginnings of a romance.
Reader beware: This novel has been published under several different titles so if you are thinking about buying this novel or another novel by Sarah Dessen you'll need to do some research first to make sure you're not buying the same novel twice. It seems to be a ploy, by either the author or the publisher or both, to trick people into wasting their money buying the same novel twice, or even three times. I almost brought 'Crazy Town' along with this novel, but fortunately I realised my mistake before the purchase was dispatched and was able to amend my order in time. This was the first and only novel I will read by this writer as I do not like authors who get greedy and attempt to rip off their readers!
I found myself captivated by the characters in this novel and the relationships they have with each other. Colie's story of finding herself and realising the potential that has been there within her all along, is heart-warming and endearing. The story is largely centred on issues of self-esteem and confidence, but mostly it's about hope because Colie finally, with the help of Isabel, Morgan and Norman, looks past the rumours and lies from back home and finds friendship, acceptance and the beginnings of a romance.
Reader beware: This novel has been published under several different titles so if you are thinking about buying this novel or another novel by Sarah Dessen you'll need to do some research first to make sure you're not buying the same novel twice. It seems to be a ploy, by either the author or the publisher or both, to trick people into wasting their money buying the same novel twice, or even three times. I almost brought 'Crazy Town' along with this novel, but fortunately I realised my mistake before the purchase was dispatched and was able to amend my order in time. This was the first and only novel I will read by this writer as I do not like authors who get greedy and attempt to rip off their readers!
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