BLAIR MOON - HOW TO BE COOLER THAN THE MOON BY ASHLEIGH MOUNSER

Blair Moon is a feisty, determined 11-year-old who is about to have her neat, predictable world turned upside down. Her mum has told her she has to go to school rather than be educated at the nursing home they live in.

Blair Moon is comfortable with her elderly friends Nancy and Edgar, and her education, which is of a very high standard. She feels she doesn’t need to “play” with other kids or get used to interacting with different people. Blair Moon – who is only ever known by both her names – is horrified by her mum’s suggestion, and after trying to talk her way out of it, reluctantly goes to school.

There, she has to deal with the cool kids, navigate her way through pointless social situations and ultimately figure out a way to make it work for her. Enlisting the help of her new friend Poppy, Blair Moon decides to run for Student President. What follows is an adventure into personalities, social perceptions, and knowing when going too far, is too much.

Ashleigh Mounser has created a character who can be hilarious, frustrating, smart and ignorant all at the same time. Seen through the eyes of the main character, the reader is given a glimpse of how it could feel to have your world shifted off kilter and learn the lessons that friends, family and society are there to give.

The themes of friendship, belonging, social hierarchies, and gracefully accepting life’s lessons, are played out through the eyes of a very precocious protagonist. Middle Grade readers who enjoyed books like How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald will love Blair Moon.

For Ages: 10 -13 years

Number of Pages: 225

Published: October 2023 Ford Street Publishing

Themes: Belonging, acceptance, family and finding your way.

Purchase here: https://fordstreetpublishing.com/book/blair-moon-how-to-be-cooler-than-the-moon/