Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior
Summary
Sixth-grade newcomer and outcast Moraline is tired of being bullied, having no friends, and running away from her problems. An encounter with a Native American spirit and an old whispering sequoia tree, starts her on a journey toward self-discovery and inner strength.
New friendships with Serenity, a girl mourning the loss of her mother, Eduardo, a boy of Mexican heritage struggling with child labor injustices, and Amani, an immigrant from the Congo, show Moraline how she and her friends can be advocates for change to improve our coexistence with the people and environment around us.
Reaction
A don’t-miss middle grade fantasy with themes of racial literacy, awareness of our coexistence with the natural world, and bullying.
The beauty of the author’s writing and descriptions of nature and the characters made me feel an emotional connection to the story and invested in the outcome. It was a reminder that children can also be important voices to advocate for what is right. This is one story that is not only entertaining but important for any middle-grade reader and for any classroom discussing these important issues. A very thought-provoking read.
