Talking to the Moon

by S.E. Durrant

Iris’s grandmother, Mimi, has started to put jam on her scrambled eggs and tie blue ribbons around her fingers to remind her of stuff. Her house, always full of things, is becoming harder and harder to navigate, and when Iris goes to stay, she feels as if a whole life is becoming muddled up. As her grandmother’s memory fades, a mystery is uncovered. Who is Coral, and what happened to her?

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Family

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2020

About the author

Author S. E. Durrant spent her childhood in Scotland before moving to Leicestershire when she was twelve. She now lives in Brighton with her partner and two teenage children

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An underrated book for sure.

The book is short but it feels like I have read a good long story.

The writing is really good and the characters are quite realistic.

The plot tackles old age and dementia from the point of view of a ten year old. The family bond that the story shares is sacred and filled with memories good and bad. However, the adults deal with things guite sensibly. I liked these parts the best.

I love Bonnie and Lola. I love the random characters here and there.

I love how the writing deals with serious topics with an ease that speaks like it would make you understand what you'd feel about them while you read about them.

I really like how each page brings up some unpredictable event or some memories that you would not want to miss. This made me so connected to the characters and the writing.

And yes, you would want to safeguard that bracelet with everything you have.

The notes for Mimi. It teaches you so many things. I love how patient our main character is.

And that letter towards the end. Get ready to read this one with some tissues and some pillows to hug.

[Ahad said · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dementia from the point of view of a child, this book was devastating, heart warming, sad, joyful, amazing, simple andd beautiful.

[alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK

[Imogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book deserves 3.5 ⭐️ as it wasn’t the best book I have read but some of the story surprised me and I thought the ending was so lovely 🥰

[Lilyfae · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW Dementia


Talking to the Moon is the heart rending tale of a young girl Iris and her grandmother and mental health across the fading of the year in Brighton.

A heartbreaking yet loving study in dementia and it’s vagaries and capricious elements whilst also exploring sadness and resentment in young Iris too regarding the changes in her family this book may be emotionally challenging for some children (and adult readers too) but eye opening empathy for others.

For me this book has been a mirror, a window and a door in its exploration of Iris’ feelings towards her grandmother’s decline of memory. The strong sense I have for Talking to The Moon is that I KNOW this book could help someone coming through or out the other side of this and hopefully not to hold in guilt about it across decades.

Whilst an emotional read, it is also very sweet and with moments of tenderness throughout which lifts this from a tearjerker to a heart rending and warming story of love and understanding.

[A Severs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery novel for children who don't like mystery novels. Usually, children's books which centre around some sort of mystery to be solved are full of high adventure and often verge on being scary - not for everyone. But 'Talking To The Moon' is different: it takes a family drama, one which many children will relate to and adds a dash of the unknown, enough to keep any reader pondering throughout the book.

Iris is living with her grandma, Mimi, whilst her dad deals with a damp problem in her bedroom at home. She's glad to be out of the house as the two-year-old twins make life very stressful. She loves living with her zany grandma, even if she doesn't really like having to go swimming with her in the sea. However, Iris begins to notice that her grandma's changing behaviour isn't just down to her quirkiness, although she doesn't like to admit it.

The story follows Iris as she tries to discover more about Coral, the girl who is in the photo on the mantlepiece. Joined by her neighbour, the annoying Mason, and in a sequence of happenstance, Iris learns more about what happened to the gap-toothed, red-haired girl who looks just like her.

S.E. Durrant certainly has carved out a style of her own - the simply-written prose, split down into short alluringly-titled chunks, perfectly encapsulates the thought-processes and story-telling ability of a bright child. Characterised by plenty of incidental detail, life for Iris is painted with precision in this compelling but gentle story.

And although this book would be great for children who are sensitive to high jinks escapades of derring-do, it certainly doesn't pull any emotional punches. Once again, S.E. Durrant has written a story full of heart, mind and soul. The pain Iris feels as she navigates family life with a mum who always seems busy and stressed, younger siblings who are never quiet, a lack of meaningful friendships (apart from the one she is trying hard to stop from becoming a friendship) and a grandma who is displaying all the signs of Dementia, is well-communicated, albeit in a sensitive and often humourous way.

'Talking To The Moon' is a great book for developing empathy and for introducing children to literary realism. Given that there are plenty of children's books which fall into a similar category it could also act as a great gateway to a whole range of excellent books. Anyone who has read and enjoyed 'Running On Empty' and/or 'Little Bits of Sky' will definitely enjoy this, as will anyone who loves titles such as 'Wonder', 'The Boy At The Back Of The Class', 'Bubble Boy' or 'Goldfish Boy' (especially seeing as in this one you get a female protagonist!). Perfecct for children in UKS2 and KS3.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Iris is living with her grandma, Mimi, while her Dad renovates her bedroom which has a problem with dampness and is growing mould. When the problem with the mould started, Iris slept in the same room as her twin brother and sister who are two years old, but this caused a lot of friction. Her parents decided to let her live with her grandma for a few weeks.

Next door to Mimi, lives Mason, a boy who has recently moved to Brighton and is in the same class as Iris. Iris doesn’t want to become friends with Mason but circumstances draw them together. Over the road from Mimi is a same-sex couple, Lee and Danny, who regularly walk their dogs and Mimi often walks with them.

Iris enjoys living with her grandma more than with her parents because the twins are noisy and unruly. Mimi has always been a little strange. Mimi was a professional photographer and has boxes of old photos. Iris’s Dad describes Mimi as a “live wire.” She is full of energy, likes to laugh and does little dances in the kitchen. She wears unusual combinations of clothes and regularly goes swimming in the sea even when it’s cold. But lately, she is becoming more and more forgetful.

Meanwhile, an interesting mystery develops over Mimi’s cousin. It was always believed that she died in a fishing boat accident with her parents when she was two, but Iris and Mason have reason to believe this wasn’t the case and start investigating.

Overall, S.E. Durrant has written an engaging, well-told story, with interesting characters and a good plot.

Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.

[Divya Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it with grandchildren and grandparents that they bond with a certain comfort and closeness that evades us parents completely? How do grandparents relax many constraint they imposed upon us when it comes to their grandchildren, we see a lenient side of them we didn't know existed, and what about children who gel with their grandparents as if they are a cool gang in which we serious beings called parents cannot become members so easily.

Talking to the Moon by S E Durrant is a beautiful book on one such grandmother - granddaughter relationship. Iris, the narrator, comes to stay with her grandmother Mimi whose memory is slowly fading. Mimi begins to muddle up a few simple things and often mixes up her granddaughter with her daughter, Iris'a mother. this she realises during her stay with her. Even though a few things that Mimi does worries Iris, she gets along well with her - they bake together, print photos in the dark room, visit the beach for a swim. As Iris realises more holes are punched into Mimi's memories over time, she is anxious but doesn't want to raise an alarm or let her parents worry about Mimi's condition.
Talking to the Moon is not just about Iris and Mimis relation but it's about Iris finding a supportive friend in her neighbour and classmate, Mason who she initially feels is the most annoying person in the whole world. Together they even solve a mystery of Mimi's long lost cousin called Coral, other than helping Mimi understand the limitations and problems of her evolving dementia condition. And in all this, Iris understands her own mother a little better and the little things that keep a family together. I loved the book's setting, a small beach town called Brighton and stories of the Western pier close to the beach that burnt down.

A book for middle graders,Talking to the Moon is written in a believable and sensitive manner without being too weighty or dramatic. It gives gentle vibes of Fredrik Backman's And Every Morning the Way Home gets Longer and Longer. A lovely read!

[Mr Bramley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another emotional read by S.E Durrant!
You'd think I learnt my lesson having read Lite Bits of Sky, but no. Once again I was unprepared.

This story is a beautiful one, focusing on friendships, both young and old, family, and the struggles, worries and joy that come from caring for someone with Dementia.

A wonderful book for older primary age children upwards, that will get them thinking about the past, and considering the metaphors and mystery of life. All following the plot of a family mystery waiting to be solved by 11 year old Iris and her next door neighbour 'not-friend' Mason.

The plot is very well paced, with a good balance of emotion, mystery, action and real world problems to really engross and involve children in its reading.

- This book would be a great class read for a History/English/Art cross-curricular topic, focusing on the black and white photography and historical mystery elements it follows -

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris is living with Mimi, her grandmother because her father is getting rid of the mould in her bedroom, and she’s tired of her two-year-old twin brother and sister. Iris loves the quirkiness of her grandmother’s lifestyle. Craft things are everywhere, photos in boxes fill every room, and her grandmother is exciting to be with. She goes for a swim every day, even when the English sea is freezing.
The quirky gradually becomes a worry, and after Mimi gets lost a couple of times, she forgets who Iris is and hangs a fish on the clothesline. Iris begins to wonder if something serious is going on. When Mimi tells Iris, her grandmother is frightened and searches for answers.
I enjoyed the joy the main characters found in each other and the gentle introduction of dementia and the impact it can have on the person with the diagnosis and their family and friends.
Recommended for readers eight years and older.

[Helen Natasha Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seagull was female. I love that. Animals are usually represented as male. Why? Because in our society male is default and female is other. And so, in general, authors fall in with that, thus compounding the problem. This annoys me particularly in children's books. But not here. Good one, S.E. Durrant.

I read this book because I have met one person with dementia, whom I wanted to understand. The book didn’t help though. Is Mimi based on a real person? Or perhaps Mimi is at an early stage where the condition can be seen as comical?

Really enjoyed the book regardless. Intriguing story line and lovable characters. Favourite: Lee the yoga teacher across the street. I will take him with me.

[Edi Dumitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When she's finished reading (it takes a while), Mimi stands up and holds out her hands.
"Fancy you doing that for me," she says.
"You're not cross?"
" Of course not. When you're drifting out to sea you need as many anchors as possible. And these will be my anchors."

Mimi's dementia observed throughout Iris' eyes is just perfectly described. The fact that we had the chance to explore this book from a child's perspective, remembered me once more why I love reading so much. Because it brings joy, even if the main subject is something that will hit hard in the real word. It made me feel small, curios, and in the same time, unstoppable, like a 10 yo.

This book is so underrated. Trust me. READ THIS.

[nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading story of Mimi and Iris was enchanting. The way Iris chose to live with his grandmother to be away from the twins is such an inspiration for me. I have an grandmother who's already old and lives alone. Reading this story inspired and motivated me to keep coming to visit her everyday if I have the time. I also love Iris and Mason's friendship, best friends forever. I wish I had an friendship like Iris and Mason's, someone who I would be with in solving ancient random mysteries like Coral's case. At the end, I am very pleased and happy that Mimi and Coral finally reunited after years of thinking Coral died together with her parents.

[sgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think I could live a book much more than “Little Bits of Sky”, but this might be it. Touching, fast-paced, and so so vivid. Durrant captures childhood and loss so extraordinarily, and this is no exception. I love the way the chapters are divided into scenes or snapshots, it creates such texture and a very full life.

[Alderwasley Hall School · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It made me laugh but it is also incredibly moving. It is a sensitive portrayal of memory loss and family relationships. There's a bit of mystery too. One particular scene has stuck with me (involving jam and scrambled eggs). An ultimately uplifting read that builds empathy and respect for older generations.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kid says "good book, amazing book, I loved the end."

I was surprised that he got into this - it's not written in an explicit way, lots of information is gradual and subtle in the story - but it was lovely to read aloud. I looked forward to this one every evening before bed.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely message. Lovely narrator. Lovely story.

[Richard Mander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving book about a girl living with her grandmother who is in the grip of dementia.

[K Spurrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this endearing story about a girl and her grandmother, set against the backdrop of the West Pier in Brighton. It's heart breaking and heart warming in equal measure. A gentle way to open converstaion with children about memory loss and dementia too.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Het verloren meisje

[Sergiana Francourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children’s book yet it made me so emotional.

[Jane Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book for 7 upwards about early onset dementia, mental health and friendships. Sobbed a few times as it echos my own experiences with dementia and the worry.

[Mary Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, sweet relationship between grandmother and grandchild gives us a gentle story with a lot of spark, family drama and friendship. Filled with moving glimpses of the past and the present.

[Charlie Owens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really slow and childish

[hi · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK!! Kind of expecting grandma to get dementia. Love that they were trying to find out about her grandmas cousin coral