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Pages: 10
Goes Well With: Chicken taco salad, and Yoo-Hoo chocolate drink
In a country where birthing more than one child is a crime punishable by fines and other harsher penalties, the Zhou family is reluctant to keep the unusual-looking infant girl that their son finds in the bushes near their home—but the child’s eyes shine so bright, they can’t resist her. They name her Ming Yue—meaning “Bright Moon.”
As they work their small farm, they keep their eye out for government officials and nosy neighbors who might turn them in. Three months after Ming Yue’s arrival, they discover something astonishing about her. Around the same time, their land prospers, while other areas wither and die as the waters run red.
This short fantasy delivers a subtle message about the dangers of big corporations leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake just to make a fortune. Still, Bright Moon delivers its message without being preachy, presenting the story in a fantastical approach that will easily hold your interest.
Every detail about Bright Moon is vividly displayed, with a hint of mystery and danger. As you read, you’ll get caught up in the anxiety of wondering if Ming Yue will be discovered and the family punished. I especially liked how Ms. Peake blends the family together to make it a strong and loving character all by itself.
With its atypical subject matter wrapped around a touching story that will make you stop and think about the world around you, Bright Moon sweeps along, capturing readers’ attention from the start. At the same time, though, it’s not heavy on the injustices forced on a population, which makes it a perfect companion for your noon-day meal.
