
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major life transition, such as a family move or a change in schools, and is struggling with the loss of their social status or identity. It is particularly helpful for kids who feel their world is ending because they have to leave their friends behind. Gwen, a popular teenager in the year 2057, is devastated when her parents announce they are moving to a colony on the moon. The story explores deep feelings of resentment, the fear of being an outsider, and the realization that who we are isn't defined by our zip code or our popularity. Paula Danziger's signature humor keeps the tone light while validating the very real anxiety of starting over. It is perfectly suited for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 14) who are navigating the complex waters of peer groups and self-discovery.
The book deals with the emotional distress of relocation. The approach is secular and very direct, focusing on the psychological impact of losing one's support system. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, showing that while things aren't the same, they can still be good.
A 12-year-old girl who is moving to a new city and feels like her parents are ruining her life. She needs a protagonist who mirrors her anger but eventually finds a way to be happy in her new environment.
Read the book cold. It is a light, funny read, though parents should be prepared to discuss the protagonist's initial superficiality as a phase of her growth. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, I hate you for making us move, or witnessing their child withdraw from the family after a big life change.
Younger readers will enjoy the sci-fi elements and the moon setting. Older readers will resonate more deeply with the social dynamics, the fear of losing status, and the romantic subplots.
Unlike many sci-fi books that focus on tech or aliens, this is a quintessential Danziger middle-school drama that just happens to be on the moon. It uses the extreme setting to amplify the universal feelings of being a fish out of water.
Gwen is a fifteen-year-old in the year 2057 who has everything: the right friends, the right boyfriend, and the perfect social life. This is shattered when her scientist parents move the family to a lunar colony. Gwen must navigate the isolation of space, the loss of her old identity, and the challenge of making friends in a small, quirky community where her old popularity tricks don't work.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review