Reading Club: Children’s Book (10–12 years old) | The Girl Who Drank the Moon

In July, the Children’s Reading Club for young booklovers aged 10 to 12 continues its meetings, facilitated by author Angeliki Darlasi. Angeliki Darlasi is a writer of prose and theatrical plays, while she has also engaged with television and cinema. Among her awarded works are: The Boy in the Royal Box, Badboy, When We Hid an Angel, and Dream Guardians.

The book that will be discussed in this month's meeting is The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill 

Our young readers will meet to share impressions, feelings and thoughts, as well as to embark on an imaginary journey, sparked by the book of the month, into the fascinating worlds emerging from its pages. 

The book

Every year, according to the instructions of the Elders, the Townspeople abandon a baby in the forest as a “gift” for the witch who lives there. With this sacrifice they hope to placate her so she won’t destroy their town. Actually, though, this witch, Xan, is nothing like what the Townspeople think of her. So, every time they abandon a child, she not only saves it, but gives it to families living on the other side of the woods to be cared for and nurtured. During her journey, she feeds these children with starlight. When Xan inadvertently feeds a baby with moonlight instead, she gives her extraordinary magical powers. Aware of the consequences of this accidental “gift,” Xan decides to raise this girl herself as her own. She gives her the name Luna, which means Moon, and to protect her from her own magic, she locks up this magic deep inside Luna.

But when Luna turns thirteen, her repressed magic begins to surface. Meanwhile, a young Townsman who has failed a major test, disappointing not only others but also himself, decides to free his people from this “tax” they are forced to pay to the “evil” witch, i.e., to kill her. Under the surface of the earth, the sleeping volcano has begun to come to life, and all around them fly mysterious birds with vaguely strange intentions.

Will Luna manage to harness her magical powers and protect those she wishes to protect? Will the truth be revealed, even if this will cause major unpleasant twists?

If you like fantasy worlds inspired by the real world, mystery and adventure, dynamic and sensitive heroes and heroines, then you can read this story and join us in talking about the power of love and will, the consequences of prejudice, the importance of the journey; about how things are not always as they seem, and about what “magic” may ultimately mean. 

The author

Kelly Barnhill lives in Minnesota with her husband and their three children. She graduated from Minneapolis South High School and, before starting her writing career, she studied creative writing, worked for the National Park Service, and trained as a volunteer firefighter. After the birth of her second child, she began to write stories that gradually evolved into short stories. Both The Witch’s Boy and her first novel, The Mostly True Story of Jack, received enthusiastic reviews. Her second book, Iron Hearted Violet, was awarded the Parent’s Choice Gold Award and made the short list for the Norton Award. The Girl Who Drank the Moon was awarded the 2017 Newbery Medal. 

The facilitator

A writer of literature for children and young adults, playwright and teacher of creative writing and theater. 

Works and books of hers have been translated into English, Turkish, Korean, Spanish, and French. Her books have been adapted for theater (most recently, The Boy in the Royal Box, by the National Theater of Greece, 2021-2022) and puppetry performances, while some are in the pre-production stage to be adapted into films (on screenplays by the author herself), in Greece and abroad.

She has participated as co-author in productions of the State Theaters of Karlsruhe and Uppsala and the National Theater of Luxembourg (2021 & 2022), and the Union des Théâtres del'Europe (2018). Several plays of hers have been staged in Athens: Lighthouse–SNFCC, Athens Concert Hall, Art Theatre Readers’ Theatre Festival, Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, Alkmini Theater, Amore Theater–stage B, et al. She has been repeatedly awarded and distinguished for her work (both prose and theatre). 

Since 2006, she has been teaching Creative Writing and/or Theater to adults and children-teenagers, working with both public and private organizations (e.g. The Department of Theatre Studies of the University of Peloponnese, public and private post-secondary vocational schools, Metaichmio Publications, etc.). She is a motivational speaker and facilitator of activities for children and adolescents (creative writing, theater, arts and education, love of reading, etc.).

She holds degrees from the Athens University Department of Theatre Studies and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (MA in Performance Studies).

After reading the book

• Magic may be found in our everyday life. If you believe that, think of, write or talk to us about an experience from your everyday life which you perceived as “magical.” 
• Why do you think we like imaginary, magical worlds? And how much do they actually have to do with our daily lives — or not? 
• What “magical” story would you like to experience during the summer? Write or talk to us about it during our meeting. 
   

Wednesday, July 19
19.00–20.30

NLG Kids Lab

Up to 22 participants | For children aged 10 to 12





Free admission with online pre-registration

Anyone reserving a seat at the Book Club is required to have read the book of the month. (ALSO, it is recommended that children bring the book with them.)

Children should always be accompanied by parents or adult attendants who should not be away from the outdoor activity.

As part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center's collaboration with the National Library of Greece, the book for the Reading Club has been chosen by NLG staff members.