Center for Children's Literature Blog

Children’s Book Committee – April 2023 Pick

Moonwalking
Written by Zetta Elliott & Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Illustrator: David Cooper
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux BFYR/Macmillan

Two boys, JJ, white, grandson of Polish immigrants, and Pierre, mixed-race, straight-A student and secret graffiti artist, warily start a tentative friendship. Various verse forms, two voices. Spot illustrations. Author’s note and sources.

Our Young Reviewer Says:

“Teenagers have more power than they are often given credit for. Moonwalking is a book that inspires teens no matter their background or identity to fight for what they believe in. It is a story about art, and how change is made with art. Sometimes all it takes is one story for dozens of kids to start making change. Although there are many stories that empower people to make change, Moonwalking tells a unique story that is exceptionally inspiring. The reason this message is so powerful is because everything in the book feels real. The characters, the setting, and the ending all feel completely real.

The ending of Moonwalking is so important to the story. The book intentionally leaves you unsatisfied and wanting more. There is no happy ending, because unfortunately most kids in Pie and JJ’s position did not get and still do not get a happy ending. The book tells us that even if we do not get the happy ending, our fight is not for nothing. Every song written, word said, masterpiece painted, protest fought, and friend made is indispensable.

The layers of friendship that play into Moonwalking is what truly makes the book stand out. Learning how to accept privilege, and discuss oppression is difficult, especially if those conversations are not had often and openly. Throughout the book, the main characters Pie and JJ discover obstacles in their friendship. A significant challenge is JJ struggling to understand the racism that affects his relationship with Pie. The two learn that even though they may be separated, they can learn to bridge that barrier by learning about their differences. The two learn how to support, and fight for each other. Watching their friendship grow and change makes Moonwalking enjoyable on every page.

Moonwalking is a book that utilizes different fonts and phrases to differentiate between the two main characters. The stylistic choices not only help the reader recognize who is narrating but help us understand JJ and Pie. Another incredible method of contrast is the languages used. Often when Pie is narrating, he weaves Spanish into his sentences. JJ does this same thing with Polish. This intensifies the appreciation of the cultures that both are a part of. As the book continues the two boys start to use phrases that are typically used to signify the other, showing the bond they are forming. For example the phrase “rattlerattlerattle HISS” is used by Pie when he is tagging, but as JJ starts to connect with Pie the phrase is used in his chapters as well. This use of repetition throughout the book gives the reader important insight to these characters in a clever way.”

–Katharine, age 13, New York, NY.

Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu.

See our Monthly Picks Archive 2012–2018, and our Monthly Picks 2019–present.