Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons. Sharon Creech. Harper Collins Publishers. 1994.

This novel is told by thirteen-year-old Salamanca Hiddle, who is Native-American, during a road trip with her grandparents from Ohio to Idaho.  The three are taking this trip because it is the same trip Sal's mother made a year and a half ago.  We are told early on that Sal's mother wet on this trip with a personal goal for herself and was not able to return, yet the audience hangs on what is meant by this and why it is so.  During this long trip, Sal tells her grandparents a long story about her friend Phoebe and her struggles.

This novel is very well-written.  Its language would be easy enough for a 6th grade class to read, but 7th and 8th graders could also find it engaging.  Even though the narrator is a girl, boys could still enjoy this novel.  The novel does a very good job with character development, and the plot will keep students engaged throughout the entire piece.  The main themes touched on in the novel are identity and coming of age, which any student can relate to.  Throughout the novel, Sal does talk a lot about parts of her Native-American heritage, however I do not think the novel provides a significant look into the Native-American culture.