Moon People: A smug Dearborn college kid gets schooled by the road and the cult

by Dan Grajek

2:30 a.m., AUGUST 20, 1979, 19-year-old Ted Granger of Detroit has just escaped from the Moonies, a religious cult—in California. On a dark, secluded highway, someone picks him up hitchhiking. Who could it be at this ungodly hour?

With wry humor, Moon People recounts Ted’s time in the cult and the road trip leading up to it. Major stops are Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and California. Do these adventures foreshadow what’s to come? Moon People is a fun, coming-of-age tale about family, religion, and a perfect world that doesn’t exist. (Will it ever?)

It comes from the unique perspective of Henry Ford’s hometown—Dearborn, Michigan—where the residents celebrate history, hi-tech (as it relates to cars), and religion. There, family is first and foremost.

276 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2023

About the author

Author Dan Grajek lives in Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford's hometown. He grew up on Detroit's northwest side. By age 20, he had hitchhiked to New York once and California twice. Throughout his life, he's been a graphic designer, a marketing coordinator, and a high school English teacher. Dan considers marrying Lori Wunderlich, a violin-maker's daughter, his greatest accomplishment. He has three sons, Andy, Justin, and Ben.

Reviews

[mary beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m telling you that Ted Granger sure had the experiences. All his fascinating adventures are interesting. His stories about the moonies is amazing and captivating (literally).