Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dramatic, complex tale has rich characters, emotional depth.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the book presents a blend of beautiful storytelling with heavy themes, such as grief and loss, which can resonate deeply with readers, making it an excellent choice for discussions around complex emotions. While many laud its engaging narrative and character development, some reviewers highlighted that it contains mature content and may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- strong themes
- emotional depth
- character development
- appropriate for discussions
- maturity needed
- beloved classic
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 45 kid reviews
Kids say this book evokes a strong emotional response, with many praising its depth and ability to teach about loss and empathy, while others criticize its slow pacing and lack of character development. The narrative is often seen as bittersweet, featuring complex themes that may resonate more with older readers, despite its mixed reception regarding elements of the storyline and character actions.
- emotional depth
- character development
- slow pacing
- complex themes
- mixed reception
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The Newbery Medal-winning WALK TWO MOONS tells two stories: the one that's happening in the "present" of the book -- Sal's road trip with her grandparents -- and the story Sal tells Gram and Gramps in the car, about her friend Phoebe. As Sal and her grandparents retrace the journey Sal's mom made on her way to Idaho --visiting national landmarks and Native American points of interest -- Sal tells what happened when she moved from her family's farm in Bybanks, Kentucky, to a little suburban house in Euclid, Ohio. That's where Sal met Phoebe and was drawn into some mysterious events involving anonymous notes left on Phoebe's porch and a young man who came looking for Phoebe's mother. By trying to help Phoebe through a family crisis -- made even more dramatic by Phoebe's outrageous theories about kidnapping and murder -- Sal gains a deeper, more peaceful, understanding of her own feelings of loss.
Is It Any Good?
Sharon Creech tells a complex story within a story, full of dramatic, intersecting events, beautifully articulated feelings, and richly drawn characters. Even mature readers who can predict much about the end of Sal's journey will find plenty of plot surprises. And all readers will be deeply moved by Sal's experiences, and the connections she makes with her family, friends, and her natural world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about images of Native Americans in the media. How is Sal similar to, or different from, Native American characters in other books you;ve read or movies you've seen?
Which of the secret notes the girls receive do you think contains the most important lesson for Sal, and why?
Look at a road map of the U.S., and try to draw Sal and her grandparents' route. What states, and what landmarks do they visit?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : June 30, 1994
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Audiobook (abridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : April 10, 2026
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