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Divided Moon
“Moon,” Papa said, “it is time for you to marry.”
Those aren’t the words she expected to hear on the way home from her first high school dance. At fourteen-years-old, Moon Vang should not be planning her wedding. She should be worrying about her next algebra test. Outside her front door, Moon is like every other freshman, going to the mall and giggling about boys in her class. Inside her home, she is the daughter of Hmong war refugees bound by family traditions formed in Laos, a land she's never known.
Now Papa tells her she has to marry a man she hasn’t met.
How can Moon choose a path divided between two very different cultures without losing her friends, her family or herself?
Those aren’t the words she expected to hear on the way home from her first high school dance. At fourteen-years-old, Moon Vang should not be planning her wedding. She should be worrying about her next algebra test. Outside her front door, Moon is like every other freshman, going to the mall and giggling about boys in her class. Inside her home, she is the daughter of Hmong war refugees bound by family traditions formed in Laos, a land she's never known.
Now Papa tells her she has to marry a man she hasn’t met.
How can Moon choose a path divided between two very different cultures without losing her friends, her family or herself?
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2012
9 people want to read
About the author
Jill Van Den Eng
4 books13 followersJill Van Den Eng is an author and journalist with a keen interest in the extraordinary tales of ordinary people. Van Den Eng lives in Northeast Wisconsin with her husband, three sons, two lazy cats and one evil hamster.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 25, 2012
Utterly fascinating and engrossing. I felt so drawn in to Moon's world and didn't want to put the book down.
January 14, 2022
*Recommended*
Divided Moon is a good, engaging read. It's also a quick read. I bought the book and finished it about 2 hours later. Difficult to put down might be one way to describe it.
You really get engaged in Moon's crisis with fulfilling what her parents want and what she wants for herself. I think even though most people haven't had their parents force them into marriage at the age 15, most people can relate to struggling to find their voice and how to stick up for themselves.
Two things sort of jarred me about this novel. It's still worth reading and I would still recommend it, but I do think it's fair to explain why I chose to give the novel 3 stars.
1). My biggest problem was the use of CPS in the novel. I was glad it was brought up. A 15 year old being married off is something that would demand CPS be contacted. But what bothered me was that it wasn't the school that called them. Anyone who works at a school is a mandated reporter. They MUST call CPS if there is any sign of abuse. Since the school knew about Moon's upcoming marriage, it bothered me that no one from the school called.
2).*Major Spoiler* I would have liked to see more resolution at the end, with Moon returning to her family. It felt like it was a bit skimmed over. It was hard for me to imagine that, even though they had doubts, that they would accept her return so quickly without some sort of conflict.
Those two issues aside, Divided Moon is a good book. I really enjoyed it. The conflict is easy to get wrapped up in and Moon is a very engaging character. I felt like I connected with her from the first moment.
I definitely recommend giving it a read. And at $2.99, I think you'd be hard to find an excuse not to try it.
Enjoy!
Divided Moon is a good, engaging read. It's also a quick read. I bought the book and finished it about 2 hours later. Difficult to put down might be one way to describe it.
You really get engaged in Moon's crisis with fulfilling what her parents want and what she wants for herself. I think even though most people haven't had their parents force them into marriage at the age 15, most people can relate to struggling to find their voice and how to stick up for themselves.
Two things sort of jarred me about this novel. It's still worth reading and I would still recommend it, but I do think it's fair to explain why I chose to give the novel 3 stars.
1). My biggest problem was the use of CPS in the novel. I was glad it was brought up. A 15 year old being married off is something that would demand CPS be contacted. But what bothered me was that it wasn't the school that called them. Anyone who works at a school is a mandated reporter. They MUST call CPS if there is any sign of abuse. Since the school knew about Moon's upcoming marriage, it bothered me that no one from the school called.
2).*Major Spoiler* I would have liked to see more resolution at the end, with Moon returning to her family. It felt like it was a bit skimmed over. It was hard for me to imagine that, even though they had doubts, that they would accept her return so quickly without some sort of conflict.
Those two issues aside, Divided Moon is a good book. I really enjoyed it. The conflict is easy to get wrapped up in and Moon is a very engaging character. I felt like I connected with her from the first moment.
I definitely recommend giving it a read. And at $2.99, I think you'd be hard to find an excuse not to try it.
Enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2012
The main character captured my attention from page one and held it so tightly that I had to finish the book in one sitting. The story invoked compassion and empathy for even the most unsuspecting character. I loved this book and will read it again. Looking forward to more from this author!
February 5, 2013
What a beautiful book! Even though it has been a few days since I read the last page, I find myself thinking often about Moon and where her journey will take her. Great read!
October 31, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The story was engrossing and the characters believable. I look forward to reading future novels by this author.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews