Summary
In Beneath a Meth Moon, Laurel tells the story of her descent into a meth addiction and her journey to recovery. After her mother and grandmother are killed in a hurricane, Laurel, her father, and her younger brother move to a new state in an attempt to start over. At first, Laurel seems to adjust well to her new life, joining the cheerleading squad. However, when she is first introduced to crystal meth, she turns to it as a way to escape her haunting past.
In Beneath a Meth Moon, Laurel tells the story of her descent into a meth addiction and her journey to recovery. After her mother and grandmother are killed in a hurricane, Laurel, her father, and her younger brother move to a new state in an attempt to start over. At first, Laurel seems to adjust well to her new life, joining the cheerleading squad. However, when she is first introduced to crystal meth, she turns to it as a way to escape her haunting past.
Evaluative comments
Beneath a Meth Moon does not shy away from the dark realities of drug addiction. Laurel's life on the street is harsh and seemingly hopeless, as she loses herself more and more to her addiction. Woodson's choice to set the majority of the story as a flashback of a sober Laurel takes away any suspense on whether Laurel will recover. Instead the story focuses on the Laurel's emotional journey and psychological state, allowing readers to immerse themselves in her character. The balance between despair and optimism is well achieved, and Woodson's refusal to gloss over Laurel's trials lends an important realism to this book.
Beneath a Meth Moon does not shy away from the dark realities of drug addiction. Laurel's life on the street is harsh and seemingly hopeless, as she loses herself more and more to her addiction. Woodson's choice to set the majority of the story as a flashback of a sober Laurel takes away any suspense on whether Laurel will recover. Instead the story focuses on the Laurel's emotional journey and psychological state, allowing readers to immerse themselves in her character. The balance between despair and optimism is well achieved, and Woodson's refusal to gloss over Laurel's trials lends an important realism to this book.
Suggested audience
Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12
Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Issue-oriented, melancholy, gritty, disturbing, slang-heavy, dialect-rich
Read-alikes - Crank, Ellen Hopkins; The Sharp Time, Mary O'Connell
Booktalking hook
Read Laurel's first meeting Moses. This episode opens the book, and it offers a snapshot of Laurel's life on the street, while hinting at what has happened to her family. (pp. 1-5)
Read Laurel's first meeting Moses. This episode opens the book, and it offers a snapshot of Laurel's life on the street, while hinting at what has happened to her family. (pp. 1-5)
Reason for inclusion
Awards and Honours - Kirkus Best Teen Books, 2012; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013
Awards and Honours - Kirkus Best Teen Books, 2012; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013
Category
Urban Fiction/Street Lit
