Sunshine and the Full Moon

Journalist and debut novelist Jon Robinson puts a refreshing spin on the familiar werewolf story with an unusual but relatable narrator, and an equally unusual but sweet friendship at its heart. In Sunshine and the Full Moon, Robinson deftly juggles a number of different elements, and turns lots of typical werewolf conventions on their heads, combining it all into a fast-paced read with just the right amount of chills and thrills. Instead of the darkness of a misty moor or deep woods, we get the sweltering heat of California's Gold Country in the summer. Instead of a swaggering hero or a tortured soul, we get Sunshine, who loves baseball, playing softball, and her doll collection. Especially refreshing is the friendship she strikes up with a kid who's two years younger than she is but is more than capable of keeping up every step of the way.

It gets off to a slow and slightly confusing start, mostly establishing Sunshine's character. But once you get a feel for her, things start to pick up. Sports fans will enjoy the baseball talk and the events that happen during ball games, which provide some food for thought about attitudes toward women's athletic ability. Mystery fans will enjoy following Sunshine and Em as they uncover clues and piece them together, and supernatural fantasy fans will enjoy investigating the monster lurking in the shadows. It's a fun, light, but absorbing summer read for teens old enough to handle the strong language and non-gory violence.