Jerry, Let Me See the Moon

by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Things get squirrely when Jerry discovers that his new town is a sanctuary for were-creatures, humans who turn into animals when the moon is full.

Jerry has serious questions about the town his scientist father drags him to: why did they give up traveling the world to settle down in such a strange spot? Why won’t his dad talk about his mysterious research or explain what happened to his mother, who disappeared years ago? And when he sees his friend Pearl transform into a were-squirrel under the light of the full moon, he needs to know: were exactly has he ended up?

But when criminal mayhem turns Jerry’s town—a safe haven for were-creatures—into a not-so-safe haven, Jerry must uncover a twisty conspiracy and take down the instigators who are trying to tear the place that’s become his home apart.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Humor, Juvenile, Animals

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

JEFFREY EBBELER is a New York Times best selling illustrator. He has illustrated and occasionally written over 60 books for young readers. His published work includes picture books, middle grade and chapter books, and graphic novels.

Reviews

[Emily Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great choice in children's entertainment. Most children's chapter books have a few illustrations, but not enough and it leaves you wanting more. This book has copious lovely pictures. They aren't flat line doodles, either. These are shaded works of art in perspective. I want so badly to tell you about my favorite illustration, but I don't want to give away that plot line detail. But it's in a big splash page. There are a few pages without a picture, but not many. All the action bits (and there are many action bits) have a picture to keep todays easily distracted kid engaged.

Story-wise, this has just the right amount of silly that kids love. It's about a plethora of were-animals in a normal town. I like it even better because it achieves that level of silly without making the adults look incompetent (which so much middle grade fiction does.) Just as a tiny example tidbit of the silly: my favorite chapter heading was about how Bigfoot forgot to wear pants. He didn't really forget. He was just going swimming.

The middle-grade market is very saturated right now, but this book deserves a lot more attention than it is getting and I'm going to try to spread the word.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced and silly. Just right for middle-schoolers!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Jerry and his father have led a peripatetic life, living all over the world. When their most recent move takes them to a boring, cookie cutter, gated community, Fort Phylum, in the middle of nowhere Ohio, he's very confused. The residents all seem a bit quirky, and have all just moved in. They call his father "professor". When Jerry ends up having to babysit new neighbor, Pearl (who has been burying all of her family's possessions in the back yard), her mother tells Jerry not to let her see the moon. When she does, it uncovers the secret of the town. It's a planned community, masterminded by Jerry's father, and includes the were-creatures that he has met in his travels. He wants to help keep everyone safe, but when there is a community gathering, tensions arise between the different types of animals, and the predators, including the mayor (who is a lion) make things deeply uncomfortable for Pearl, who is a were-squirrel. The town hall is wrecked, and for some reason, people don't shed all of their animal qualities even when the sun comes up. The Professor is devastated, since he rescued many of the community members from experimentation and exploitation. Jerry and his new friends try to figure out what is going on even as Falcon Storm descends on the town to try to report on the unusual news. Will he be able to save the day and settle in to his new, not-so-boring community?
Strengths: I loved the format of this one, with Ebbeler's 1950s style drawings strewn about the pages in the most engaging fashion. There is even a "How Not to Get Eaten" handbook excerpted that is particularly delightful. It gives us a great idea of what all of the werepeople look like, and how their human forms and animal forms are alike. Jerry is a resilient character who is thrown into an usual situation but does his best to help his new community. There's an understandable backstory to the creation of Fort Phylum, and the descriptions of it are very amusing. There's plenty of action and adventure, an excellent villain, and a satisfying ending.
Weaknesses: This was a tiny bit young for middle school, although sixth graders will enjoy it immensely.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who want a quirky, funny fantasy adventure book like Lubar's Monsterific Tales, Thomas' Malamander, Woodrow's Curse of the Werepenguin, or Krosoczka's Platypus Police Squad, which also has some delightful illustrations.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jerry and his father, who is a scientist, have just moved to a new town, out in the middle of nowhere. What Jerry doesn’t know is that his father arranged to have this town built for various people that didn’t quite fit in regular society.

It isn’t until he is baby-sitting for one of the residents, who asks if she can see the moon, does he realize that she and everyone else in the town are were-creature of some kind. In fact, the girl he is baby-sitting is a were-squirrel.

And that is just in the first few chapters. From there, it just gets crazier, in a funny weird sort of way.

The author said that this book has been one that he has been thinking about for a long time, because when he was a kid, he used to play a game where he would try to keep moonlight from other people, and if they got struck, they would pretend to turn into a were-wolf. The catch phrase was “Jerry, let me see the moon.”

Middle grade kids will have fun with this slightly scary, funny, silly book. Because, what happens when all were-creatures turn at the same time? Predators look out for prey of course.

And what happens when the local media hears hints of this town?

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book came out May 7, 2025.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After moving with his scientist father to the newly-established town of Fort Phylum, Ohio, Jerry is stunned to learn that all of the townspeople are were-creatures seeking assylum from unscrupulous folx who would exploit their uniqueness. But something's not right: the were-creatures aren't able to fully transform back into their human selves anymore. And when a cryptid hunter arrives with a news team, it's up to Jerry (and a few new were-friends) to keep Fort Phylum's secrets safe and find a fix for the faulty shape-shifting.

This is a silly, light-hearted superhero romp and, with short-ish chapters and lots of illustrations, a great read-aloud.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jerry has been used to travelling widely to exotic locations with his widower father, who is intent on doing his research all over the globe. So he is deeply puzzle when his father suddenly decides to move back to a small town which is the last word in boring.

But is it really? Because, as Jerry soon finds out, there is more to this little town. A lot more.

Packed with humour and originality, and variety of delightful (were)characters, this one is not to be missed!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know the trope where the adventurer goes through a series of trials and perils to get to the treasure, right? But what happens to the *2nd* adventurer to go through it? All the traps have been sprung, all the secret doors already unlocked! I was literally laughing at this point in this silly story, and will happily recommend it to fans of "The Last Kids on Earth" or "It's the End of the World and I'm in my Bathing Suit" for it's combination of peril lite and silly shenanigans.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY silly.
Jerry's dad isn't just an animal expert/explorer--he's been rounding up were animals to establish a refuge for them. When they arrive in the new twon, the moon is full and...Many of the were-animals don't return to their fully human form in the morning. Why? Then a has-been newscaster turns up to try to get the scoop--how can they avoid exposure?
Lots of animal behavior, humor, suspense and silliness.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book! I liked the families, I liked the were squirrel, I liked all the agency of the kids, I liked that the protagonist’s main flaw was being a know-it-all, which made sense with his background and didn’t provide much angst and he didn’t have to overcome it. I liked that his mom stayed dead.

It was funny and charming.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I absolutely loved the were-creatures concept! I can't help but wonder...was inspiration taken from Zootopia for this book? The book had an annoying cliffhanger ending where Jerry was bitten by a were-creature but it wasn't revealed what were-creature he was! And there isn't a 2nd book, I wish there was... Anyway, great read!(Even though the ending was a bit annoying.)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jerry moves with his scientist Dad to a new town and is asked by his neighbor to watch her daughter with the admonition to keep her from looking at the moon. If you are thinking were-wolves, think again! Hilarious story with comic-style illustrations.

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy set in the real world, for ages 8-12. This is highly illustrated, by the author, has large text and lots of humor. Boy protagonist, makes female friends. There are tense situations, some suspense, and it's a fun, original story/idea. Great author's note.

[Camaryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short fun read even as an adult. The illustrations are fun additions to the story and I would love to see this be adapted at some point. The world building is fun, there are some genuinely laugh out loud parts, and all the characters were adorable.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...thought it was fun and whacky. Sensing comparisons to Zootopia on basis of various "animals" living together all with their animal natures too!

[Nawal Ciaramitaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story for middle grade readers. Between the humor and illustrations, I enjoyed this read!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun kids book with great illustrations