Alabama Moon: Volume 1

Watt Key

Aug 2010 · Alabama Moon Book 1 · Sold by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

About this eBook

In this compelling, action-packed book, Watt Key gives us the thrilling coming-of-age story of the unique and extremely appealing Alabama Moon, the basis for the film of the same name starring Jimmy Bennett and John Goodman.

For as long as ten-year-old Moon can remember, he has lived out in the forest in a shelter with his father. They keep to themselves, their only contact with other human beings an occasional trip to the nearest general store. When Moon's father dies, Moon follows his father's last instructions: to travel to Alaska to find others like themselves. But Moon is soon caught and entangled in a world he doesn't know or understand; he's become property of the government he has been avoiding all his life. As the spirited and resourceful Moon encounters constables, jails, institutions, lawyers, true friends, and true enemies, he adapts his wilderness survival skills and learns to survive in the outside world, and even, perhaps, make his home there.

This title has Common Core connections.

Alabama Moon is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Ratings and reviews

This is a great family film, best targeting ~9-14 year olds. There were tears and laughter throughout the film for us. Great acting by Jimmy Bennett, John Goodman, Clint Howard, and the other well-cast children.

I really liked the main characters and so as the other ones too. The book at parts can get worrying, calm, and funny. I was looking for a good book to read when I happen to stumble across this book at the library, but really it's just outstanding.

I love this book! I wish i could see the movie one more time but u cant find it anywhere in stores :/

About the author

Albert Watkins Key, Jr., publishing under the name Watt Key, is an award-winning southern fiction author. He grew up and currently lives in southern Alabama with his wife and family. Watt spent much of his childhood hunting and fishing the forests of Alabama, which inspired his debut novel, Alabama Moon, published to national acclaim in 2006. Alabama Moon won the 2007 E.B. White Read-Aloud Award and has been translated in seven languages. Key's second novel, Dirt Road Home, was published in 2010.