Georgie's Moon
Georgie Collins knows exactly how to make it through life in a new town. Before her father left for Vietnam, he gave her standing orders never to let anyone mess with her, and she won’t. As long as she doesn’t allow the enemy to smell her fear, Georgie will survive seventh grade in Glendale, Indiana, just fine.
But that doesn’t mean she’ll like it. How could she? Her school has forced her to participate in a “Good Deeds Program,” so she’s stuck visiting old people in a nursing home. What’s more, her classes are filled with “peacenik” kids who think the war is wrong – including her only friend. At home, it seems that the kids her mom is babysitting are constantly whining at her. Worst of all, Georgie’s father has been gone a long time – and even though he promised to send her his love every night on the moon, sometimes that’s not enough.
This story of a feisty girl’s fierce devotion to her father is a powerful reflection on the ravages of war.
Awards and Reviews
- 2007 Best Book of Indiana for Children's Literature
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
- Georgia Children's Book Award Master List
A touching exploration of an aspect of the Vietnam War not often seen in books for children.
Kirkus Reviews
Readers will appreciate the feistiness of Georgie's character as well as her struggle to make friends and come to peace with the various adults in her life. Recommended for middle school readers.
Voya
Woodworth's poignant novel will bring real tears to readers' eyes.
Booklist
A heartfelt novel.
School Library Journal
Fast moving.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Woodworth...engages the reader with her lucid writing style.
Signal
Publisher & Other Information
Teacher Material
Below is a .zip file with various documents that either myself or other teachers have come up with for use in the classroom. Feel free to use them yourself or modify them to suit your classroom needs.