Sisters of the Moon

By Author / Illustrator

Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Faber & Faber

ISBN

9780571383009

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

A wonderfully atmospheric story about holistic mysticism, the unexplainable and the power of female friendship. From Carnegie-shortlisted author of On Midnight Beach.

Suzy Button is grieving. Grieving for her dead mother, but also for the friends she's left behind, the father who no longer laughs and the life that she once had. In desperation she finds herself in the garden in the middle of the night, under the light of a supermoon, wishing everything would change.

And suddenly, it does.

Into school walks Rhiannon, a fearless new girl who makes Suzy her instant best friend. And Rhiannon seems to make things . . . happen. If Suzy wants something, somehow Rhiannon can make it so: friends, beach parties, midnight photoshoots under a moonlit sky . . . Suzy's life is finally moving forward again.

But where did Rhiannon come from? She doesn't seem to live in Sallycove. Why can't Suzy go to her house? And why does she never have any stuff? Suzy might be her best friend, but does she really know who Rhiannon is?

Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick's book On Midnight Beach was shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2021.

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Reviews

Exactly one year after her mum's death and the night before she goes back to school, Suzy Button makes three wishes in the light of the supermoon in her garden at midnight, desperate for things to change, but not at all believing that they can or will. What Suzy definitely hadn'’t bargained for is that change would come in the form of the fearless and enigmatic Rhiannon, who walks into her classroom the very next day and instantly decides Suzy is her new best friend.

The girls couldn't be more different: where Suzy is shy and introverted, struggling with the death of her mum, the zombie-like grief of her dad and her new town and school, Rhiannon is confident and outspoken, grasping every opportunity to make things happen. Soon, Suzy's life is filled with friends, beach parties with the cool girls and moonlight photo shoots of angels.

As all of her wishes come true, Suzy begins to wonder if she really knows Rhiannon at all with her secret past, strange manner of speaking, encyclopedic knowledge of history and baffling incompetence with everyday technology.

Sisters of the Moon is a rare and refreshing read; fast-paced, completely compelling and deceptively multi-layered. Despite being a much gentler read than much of today's YA, Sisters of the Moon manages to be a powerful exploration of grief, loss and friendship with important messages of bravery, self-belief and supporting each other.

Suzy is a relatable, loveable character we really come to understand and care about as she grapples with her new circumstances and tries to unravel the mystery of newcomer, Rhiannon. Suzy's passion for photography adds an extra dimension, emphasising the importance of art and creativity.

Mystical elements, the cultural mythology of the moon and modern teen issues and angst are cleverly blended and perfectly balanced meaning that this story will appeal to a wide range of readers. Carnegie-shortlisted Fitzgerald's skill as a writer is remarkable, making midnight adventures, angelic encounters and moving tattoos of the moon seem totally credible.

Short chapters, first person narration, inner dialogue and superb world-building only increase the appeal and the ending is perfect - full of hope and heart and proof that overcoming personal challenges is absolutely possible. Definitely one to watch, to use with book clubs and to promote widely.

320 pages / Reviewed by Eileen Armstrong, school librarian