Moon Runner
Moon Runner. Carolyn Marsden, Candlewick Press, 2005
Grade Level: 3-5
Hardback ISBN: 076362117X (alk. paper) 9780763621179 $12.47
Paperback ISBN: July 2007 9780763633042
Synopsis: Mina has never been interested in being an athlete like her best friend Ruth but one day in P.E. that all changes. Mina discovers that running makes her feel wonderful and she is even faster than Ruth but will she have to choose between the two?
General Review
Moon Runner is a good and effortless read that addresses a real life problem, jealousy, something friends have to face at times. The plot is uncomplicated and the characters easy to identify with. Students will be able to relate to protagonist’s joy and sense of release when she is doing something that she enjoys and is good at, but also her turmoil at the idea she might have to choose between her best friend and her new passion.
Themes: Friendship; Running; Racing, Moon, Chinese Fall Moon Festival, Track
Author information: According to her bio on the Candlewick Press site, Carolyn Marsden has been an elementary teacher and is a mother and both roles have helped and inspire her as writer of children’s literature. Moon Runner was inspired by Marsden’s daughter who recently went through a similar experience as her protagonist Mina.
Candlewick Press Bios:http://www.candlewick.com/authill.asp?b=Author&m=bio&id=2785&pix=n
Discussion Questions: (Standard 3; Benchmark 3)
- Have you ever been surprised by enjoying something that you never thought you would like, like Mina and running?
- Have you ever been in a situation like Mina where you were willing to give up something you really liked to save a friendship?
- Mina and her friends share a special “friendship ball” that is a symbol of their friendship. Do you have a physical symbol of friendship that you share with your friends?
- In Moon Runner Mina and her classmates are studying the different phases of the moon and keeping a journal. Have you ever had a similar type of assignment? Did you have to keep a journal about something you were studying? What was it?
Activities:
Standard 1: Benchmark 4 and Standard 7: Benchmark 1: Identifies a variety of potential sources of information:
In Moon Runner Mina talks about the Chinese Moon Festival and moon cakes. What are some resources you could use to find out more about the Chinese Moon Festival?
Standard 3: Benchmark 4, Standard 5: Benchmark 3, and Standard 9 Benchmark 1:Mina and her classmates are given the assignment of tracking the different phases of the moon in a journal. Keeps your own journal regarding something in nature for several weeks and then creatively share your observation with classmates.
Standard 9: Benchmark 1: Mina and her mother share their custom of celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival with her classmates. Share with your classmates a special holiday tradition your family celebrates.