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Reviewed by:
  • West of the Moon by Margi Preus
  • Kate Quealy-Gainer
Preus, Margi. West of the Moon; illus. by Lilli Carré. Amulet/Abrams, 2014. 213p. ISBN 978-1-4197-0896-1 $16.95 R Gr. 6-9.

In the fairy tale young Astri adores, a white bear whisks a pretty girl off for an adventure. Astri’s own story is quite different: a decrepit old goatherd buys her from her conniving aunt and Astri is forced to labor on his farm, enduring threats of physical and sexual violence. Well aware there’s no prince waiting in the wings to save her, Astri manages to steal a pile of coins from the goatherd and takes off, rescuing her little sister from her aunt in the process. Astri’s intent on making it to America, the last place her father was known to be alive, and so she schemes, tricks, and lies, eventually gaining passage for both she and her sister. Once on board, her sister falls ill and Astri is forced to make a bargain with an even more skilled trickster than herself—Death. Elements of familiar folktales, such “The Billy Goat’s Gruff” and, obviously, “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” blend seamlessly with historical fact; an author’s note details the family history of immigrant siblings that inspired the story and explains historical and folkloric details. It’s Astri’s voice, however, that is most appealing: her direct, no-nonsense narration has a sharp bite, yet it also reveals the vulnerable young girl who’s willing to continue to fight but is nonetheless exhausted by the weight of her struggle. The chapters have an episodic structure that makes this an ideal choice for readaloud or storytelling adaptations, while the mix of folklore, fact, and fantasy will please fans of Edith Patou’s East (BCCB 10/03). A glossary and a bibliography are appended.

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