What Happens When You Drink the Moon?

“Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Some of the most wonderful things in the world are invisible. Trusting in invisible things makes them more powerful and wondrous.”  ~Kelly Barnhill, The Girl Who Drank the Moon



Every year the Elders of the Protectorate bring a baby to be sacrificed to the witch in the woods. They leave the baby to die in a clearing and the Protectorate is safe for another year. Little do they know that the witch, Xan, is actually kind and doesn’t require or want any sacrifices. She is actually confused when she finds the first baby, but she takes care of it and brings it to a village through the woods. 

There Xan makes sure to find a happy family for the baby. This is repeated year after year, until Xan picked up one of the babies and accidentally lets it drink moonlight. That kind of magic could be tricky for a regular family to deal with and the baby is just so sweet. Xan decides to bring her home to raise her, and names the little one Luna. It is soon clear that Luna has magic that can’t be controlled because she doesn’t understand the way life works yet. Xan does what she has to in order to protect Luna from herself and together they live a happy life at their home in the bog, with their swamp monster, and a very tiny dragon. But in the Protectorate there is someone who has always been haunted by the sacrifices and vows to put an end to the witch. Is there really an evil force preying on the village?  Will Luna ever learn to control her magic? What really happened to all those babies? You’ll have to soak in the pages of this story to find out!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is the first book I’ve read by the author, and it won’t be the last! I was curious about it since I first saw it and I’m so glad I didn’t wait any longer. I adored the characters and they each added so much to the story. I was very intrigued by the world that was described- half bog and half woods. The book has a lot of messages for readers, about the things we don’t say, love, acceptance, and doing what is right. This seemed like a modern day fairy tale to me and it is a story that will appeal to readers in fourth grade and up who enjoy magic and books that take place in other worlds. The writing is beautiful. A book filled with all kinds of emotions- it is one that will make you think.




Has anyone else read The Girl Who Drank the Moon? Or have you read another book by Kelly Barnhill? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~ L