Alabama Moon

Alabama Moon #1

by Watt Key

I could trap my own food and make my own clothes. I could find my way by the stars and make fire in the rain. Pap said he even figured I could whip somebody three times my size. He wasn't worried about me.

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, apparent 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.

In this compelling, action-packed book, Watt Key gives us the thrilling coming-of-age story of the unique and extremely appealing Moon.

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

Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Survival, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Friendship

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 4, 2004

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fast and easy read. I'll make my 8 yr old read it. IT'll be interesting what he thinks about a 10 yr old that lives out in the Alabama forest making his own clothes and killing his meals. The reason he lived out there was because of his parents. It became a sad and hopeful story. Moon Blake was a kid that was perceived as a savage misfit escaping the law but in reality just didn't know any different. By the end, I wanted to adopt him...!! :}

[Deborah Markus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of several reviews I wrote for the late lamented Secular Homeschooling Magazine. We ran an article about homeschoolers in fiction, and I rated a lot of YA novels based on how good they were and how well they handled homeschooling. Mostly, homeschoolers were hauled out as the reliable weirdos in story after story; but it was still fun to do so much reading and call it my job.

So: Alabama Moon, by Watt Key

Category: Creepy backwoods illegal homeschooling

Summary: Occasional trips into town for supplies are the only times Moon gets to see anyone other than his father, or glimpse the world outside their tiny hidden home. Just before he dies, Moon's father advises Moon to leave Alabama and go to Alaska to seek others of their kind – people who know how to live off the land and refuse to have any relationship with the government. The fact that Moon is only ten when his father dies doesn't stop him from trying to follow this injunction. Fortunately, he doesn't succeed, though the reader becomes increasingly sympathetic with his wish to. Instead, Moon ends up in a warm, safe home with a loving family, and learns the difficult lesson that you can love and honor someone and still not agree with him – even if he's your father.

Conclusion: The "Little House" books will seem kind of creepy for about a week after you finish reading this.

Rating as a novel about homeschooling and/or homeschoolers: It's true that Watt Key is writing about one very unusual child in one very unusual situation. If you're a homeschooler, good luck explaining that to friends and relatives who read this book and panic about your decision to teach your own kids.

Rating as a novel: A brilliant, beautiful book with subtle characterization and a terrifically clever court scene that ties up all loose ends. Ideals of love, redemption, friendship and forgiveness permeate the story.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon lived in Talledega Forest with his dad in an underground type of box that gave them shelter. His dad taught him survival skills, which he used every day.
His dad told him that he should go to Alaska, because there were people there that were just like themselves that hated the government.
After his dad died Moon thought about Alaska. How was he going to get there. He was ten years old. Maybe he could just walk there.

Moon's life changed when a sheriff found him and took him to a home for orphans. Moon liked it for a while, especially the food. He longed for the forest. One night he took the company bus with all twenty nine of the children into the forest. Now his troubles multiplied.
His coming of age was a hard road.

[Nathan Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Afraid of the government and wanting to go to Alaska that is thousands of miles away. only having some food a rifle and a wheelbarrow. you get caught a few times and are in jail. this is what happened to the protagonist in the story Alabama moon. I highly recommend this book to readers that like adventure, action, and survival.

[Malbadeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to read this book but I can say with confidence that it will be 5 stars regardless of actual content.
I can say that because my son is at that age where he is perfectly between girl-crazy/Calvin and Hobbes adoring/outdoor survival obsessed. I believe it's called "pre-adolescence".
And the other day for the first time EVER he sat in his room for hours reading alone and listening to music too loudly.
When he got up to use the bathroom I teased him by asking if his seclusion was the beginning of his "journey into Teenage-hood". He teased me back by saying "why, yes Mommy I think it is" and then we had a goofy and dramatic hug goodbye to his "childhood" but really inside I wasn't feeling goofy because I know it's just the beginning of the inevitable.
But for now he's still bridging the worlds enough that he'll share most anything with me and even still ocassionaly climb into my bed and read until he falls asleep.
So last night when he was reading next to me and shared "mom, This book is making me cry." and "that's never happened before, I've never read a book that has made me cry"* I about died with admoration for him and appreciation for that moment.
And of course, I'll read it now in an attempt to know him a little better during this time in his life when I'll probably start knowing him less and less.

*he has cried before. He doesn't remember "Where the Red Fern Grows" I do.

[Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was surprising to me, how even though the overal subject seemed just okay, it's really when you get down and read that the little details suck you in and make you keep reading. He really makes your feelings for Moon twist and turn between "tough guy" and helpless ten year-old. In the beginning, "I jumped up on the seat of my chair and leaped across the counter to land on Mr. Abroscotto" (Key 27) posses him as a ferocious kid. He keeps even this "outsider" with his childish roots, "I bit into it and the sugar tasted so good that I almost closed my eyes while I chewed" (35). But inevitably once again even in the beginning ferocity returns, "I took a deep breath, balled my fist, and socked him in the crotch" (40). Key kept the word choice limited as the story takes place in Moon's head mostly, and he's not overly educated but doesn't use first grade words all the time. There weren't many real standout features of the book but I couldn't put it down. The plot mainly follows his friendship with a fellow mate, Kit, from Pinson, a boys home, and their life in the forest after escape. Kit becomes sick and a lawyer helps him in a court trial and locates his uncle, where he will spend the end of the book.

[Aj Sterkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alabama Moon made me laugh. The main character, Moon, thinks he can solve all of life’s problems by punching annoying people. I believe Twitter would call that #mood. If you love books like Hatchet, you’ll enjoy Alabama Moon. It’s an easy middlegrade read with tons of action. Moon has spent his entire life in the Alabama wilderness. After his father dies, he runs into problems with the local constable and goes on a quest to discover why his father abandoned society to raise his family in the woods. It’s an excellent book. I would have loved it as a kid. My only criticism is the police officer character. I don't understand what motivates his behavior. He puts in months of effort and destroys his body and life to hurt a ten-year-old. It doesn't seem worth it.



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[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books which gets under your skin. The story of Moon is appalling from the viewpoint of an adult reading it. At the same time, is it so far removed from "My Side of the Mountain" in some respects? The difference here is that Moon doesn't understand the world outside of the wilderness. It's this lack of understanding which leads him into a lot of trouble.

Moon is heartbreaking, sometimes annoying, always amazing. The things he does naturally makes for a compelling tale because you want to understand him better, and to take on the wisdom he carries at such a young age. The story of what happens with the boys he meets and takes into the wilderness in him has shades of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn to it, just one more element to the story, proving that this is one of the most perfectly crafted adventures I've read.

I'll have to admit to some curiosity about tracking down what comes next in the series. At the same time, I kind of don't want to spoil what I already had here. I'm like that, worrying over whether or not the second book can measure up to the first. Sometime I will, after I've had a bit more space from the first.

Great book all the way around!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moon is a 10-year-old boy who's been raised in the woods by his father. When his father dies, he has no idea who to trust or where to go, and immediately gets himself into trouble with the law. When I read the summary, I thought the story was going to take place a long time ago, but the setting is Alabama in 1980.

The characters in this story are fascinating and believable, and the story made me cry. I would recommend it to fans of wilderness survival (Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain) or realistic fiction, such as How to Steal a Dog (O'Connor) or The Mailbox (Audrey Shafer.)

[Ms. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten year-old Moon learns what it means to have friends after his father passes away. You will fall in love with Moon, Hal and Kit in this story about 3 boys who meet at a boys home in Alabama and decide to run away to Alaska. Using what his father taught him about outdoor living, can the three survive? Can they make it to Alaska? How long will it take?
Find out in this heartwarming story that fans of outdoors adventure and survival tales like Hatchet and Cynthia DeFelice's Fort will love. I didn't want this story to end.

[Lukáš Cabala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hľadal som niečo pre mládež na tému prežitie v lese. Za veľa to však nestálo. Otec chlapca nenávidel vládu - takým tým spôsobom hard konšpirátorov ako Unabomber. Chýbala tomu poetika. Dospelí boli väčšinou takí tí militantní rednecks z amerického vidieckeho prostredia. Čosi tomu chýbalo. V knižke je mimochodom nesmierne veľa chýb, preklepov, až sa to zdá neuveriteľné... takže preklad a redakcia tomu zrejme nepomohli a v horšom prípade uškodili. Český preklad som nenašiel.

[Tori Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

where the hell was CPS

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moon Blake has lived with his father in the woods in a primitive shelter for as long as he can remember. His pap taught him everything he knows about survival in the wild, which is good, because when he breaks his leg and dies from the infection he leaves Moon all on his own. Pap gives Moon instructions to make his way to Alaska, where he’s likely to find other cadres of people who don’t like the government and want to be free to live their own lives in their own way. Moon’s not sure how to go about getting to Alaska, so he stops to ask for directions from the only other person he knows – the man who owns the shop where he and his pap sell their vegetables and hides. The man contacts the authorities once Moon leaves, and this turns into a real show as people who don’t even know Moon try to “do the right thing” and plug him back into the system. Moon has no desire to live in an orphanage, or go to jail – he just wants to do what his father told him. He convinces two other boys at the juvenile home in which he’s placed to run away with him (Hal and Kit), and they disappear into the Talladega National Forest for six weeks before anyone hears anything about them again.

Hal leaves them after a few uncomfortable nights in the woods to return to his father (a drunk and unsuitable parent whom Hal loves unconditionally), but Kit and Moon manage to survive in the wilderness, until Kit becomes deathly ill. Moon hikes him back to civilization and leaves him in the care of some people who stop to help them. Hal hears about Kit on the news and returns to the woods to bring Moon to his dad’s place. They spend some quality time together, but Moon is picked up by Constable Sanders when he visits Kit in the hospital. Sanders has a real grudge against Moon (Moon has made him look foolish several times by escaping from the law), and means to make him pay. Moon’s savior is the lawyer who initially tricked him into being captured in the first place. He won’t see Moon put away for Sanders’ lies. While all of this is going on, authorities manage to find Moon’s surviving relatives, and it turns out they’re eager to make him an official part of the family. Moon has learned from his friendships with Hal and Kit that he doesn’t want to be alone in the world. Alaska’s going to have to wait.

This was a great survival story – it’s incredibly detailed with information about what Moon taught the other boys in terms of survival skills (plants they harvested and ate, how he made their tools and weapons, how they built the shelter, how each of the parts of the deer they killed were used, etc.). You could almost take this out into the woods and use it as a primer for surviving there yourself. This should appeal to fans of My Side of the Mountain (or vice versa). It’s a very rough and tumble boy book – Hal and Moon get into all kinds of destructive mischief together (and Hal’s father does nothing to rein in their antics), and Moon is capable and confident beyond his years (probably because he has proven skills that have assured his survival in the past). I’m not sure the addition of the purely evil Constable Sanders is completely necessary. He’s a jerk for the sake of being a jerk, and Moon is the burr under his skin that provokes him into madness. Moon has enough trouble from the people who are trying to help him – does he really need a pig-headed nemesis? Other than Sanders (whom no one will like), this was a fast and interesting read.

[Eric Keck · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Alabama Moon" by Watt Key is a book that couldn't really interest me from it's blurb. But I must say that once I read a few chapters I realized how strong this book is. By which I mean that it has such a great message which is clearly expressed by Watt Key. And that message is; One does not need much to captivate his/her life, all you need is skill, responsibility, independence, and appreciation of what you have. I find this message to be perfect regarding the fact that this book was made for young adults, who have to start losing dependence and become more independent. Alabama Moon get's you to think how difficult it could be to stay alive as a young child, and shows you all the components you need to survive in the woods with practically no contact to the modern world. Though Moon Blake (Protagonist) and his father were never supportive with modernization, Moon Blake occasionally sees a plane fly over the forest and seems somewhat amazed by it. Which shows the reader that the young boy is not entirely like his father, the father is completely cut out from the modern world and does not find anything 'fascinating' about it. Where on the other hand Moon finds these planes which were a clear part of modernization 'fascinating' which shows that he's more vulnerable to the modern world than his father. Alabama Moon is a book I strongly recommend since it can change people perspectives on the way they live, and start appreciating what they have more carefully.

[Danielle Estrada · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book that I am currently reading is Alabama Moon and it is about a boy named Moon and his Pap. They find a place to live but instead Moon has to go to a boys home because he was in the woods and his Pap died from an infection in his foot. He meets some boys in the boys home.
Then Hal, Kit, and Moon decide to escape from the boys home, so they did.
I don't like this book because it doesn't have any action in it or comedy, and I usually prefer mysteries. It's boring because it’s sad because they talk about escaping, running, and people dying.

Moon,Hal,Pap,Kit, Mr Aborcrotto, and Sanders are some of the characters.I would pick Moon as my favorite because he's smart and caring to other people.I don’t have a least favorite character because no one is mean in this book.I would give it a two because it's boring, not interesting, or appealing to me, and I am not liking the characters.

[Yuyu_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!! Beware...

I heard of this book through my book club and at first, I wasn't very eager to read it as it wouldn't be a book I would pick up on a library shelf. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it and I am very happy that I read it! I liked the plot in general, learned a LOT of things about wilderness and survival skills, I enjoyed the description paragraphs, the character developments, I went through a series of emotions and feel attached to several characters. I got into the book right at the beginning. However, it started pretty sad, with Pap's death and Moon not knowing what to do, etc. But I thought that sometimes, there wasn't much action so that gave me the impression it was a little bit slow. Still, I give five stars because I enjoyed this book A LOT! I cried when Kit died, evidently... I look forward in reading the novel about Hal.

[Alison Strandell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this book in honor of my teammate who loves it - Lauren Waters. :) I think that boys in particular would connect to this all-male character list, starring 10 year old ward of the state Moon Blake. Between living in the forest, to being held in a boys home, to breaking out and living in the wild again, there is never a dull moment. It is also interesting to watch Moon's friendships with Hal and Kit develop, since friends are really all he has. Finally, knowing that a ten year old cannot live on his own forever makes the book especially page turning, since the reader wants to know how the story will end. I enjoyed this tale defining survival and family.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moon Blake, ten years old, lives in the wilderness of Alabama with his father, who mistrusts the government and teaches Moon how to live off the land and prepare for war when it comes. When his father dies, Moon sets out for Alaska, unable to accept that he should find other people to take care of him.

Watt Key creates an exciting story of a lost child and his search for a home. Part Pictures of Hollis Woods, part Hatchet-- my students will love this book when I share it with them this fall.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brought me along a spectrum of feelings and made me laugh and cry multiple times. I'd recommend this over Hatchet to today's middle grade readers who may have been Hatchet types 20 years ago. We have extreme outdoor survival skills, characters you will love to death, a plot you can't put down, feelings about friendship and social issues that you will want to discuss if not just think a lot about, boys driving a truck through mud pits for fun, and a novel you will likely never forget.

Most of the time, what is a 5-star book to me ends up not being so to my students except for those who already love literature and reading; the library types. But this one...this one. I'll take 10 copies because there are about 10 kids I want to give this to right now. I'd recommend it to the same type of readers to whom I would recommend Weasel (although this is a much longer but definitely as readable book).

I am bummed that I didn't know about this book for 15 years; how is that possible? If you have also been deprived, librarians and teachers, check this out asap (the audiobook is very well done).

[Devon]

The book I read was Alabama Moon by Watt Key. This book is about a boy who lives in the forest of Alabama. He has never talked to anyone besides his father. He learned to live off what was in the woods. On occasion him and his father would go to town. To sell stuff and get some supplies. Then one day his father got hurt. And he lost his father so he went off to look at something and was found. He escaped from the guy taking him away. Then a couple days later he was caught by the Constable. He was then taken to like a foster agence. He lived there for a couple days. Then got out. Him and 2 others ran off into the woods. The Constable was chasing after him and trying to get him. He stayed out there in the woods until one of his friends gets ill.
He then turns himself in to the police. And goes through trial.
This a great book about survival and the will and determination of a young boy. I would recommend this book to my brother. He is really like things that have to do with outside things. And survival so this would be a good book for him. Alabama Moon is a great book anyone that likes the outdoors and survival this is a book for you.

[Sam T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alabama Moon is a good book that teaches you a lot of things that could help if you had to survive in the forest. It's a 300-page book but is worth the read.
Moon knows a lot of survival tips that most kids don't. His Pap has taught him everything he knows. Moon has been watching his Pap how to do things since he could understand what was going on. Then early in the book, his Pap passes away from his leg getting infected after he broke it. Right before Pap died he told Moon to go to Alaska. Where he could find other people there that were living like Moon. The book then is about Moon's long journey to Alaska.
I liked the book overall. It taught me how to do things that could work if I was left in the forest by my self, or if I was stranded with someone else. The book got boring at sometimes and wasn't always exciting. When it did get good I really liked the book. There were lots of life lessons like to never put your head down, you should always keep moving.
I left the book with to always keep going and never stop doing what I do. I need to push my self more on things I need to achieve. This book would be good for readers who like likes to learn about survival and friendship.

[Sarah Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Living out in the woods with Pap was all Moon ever knew. Living a life in the woods hiding from the government was not an easy life to live. After sadness strikes Moon's life yet again, he heads off to Alaska where he will find people like himself. All alone, Moon reaches many unexpected places through his journey as well as create friendships that he had never had.

Evaluation: I would recommend this for 4th grade or higher because the main character is the same age that these students are and gives them the opportunity to make a connection. There are many words that will help expand the vocabulary and discussion questions that the class can talk about.

Teaching Ideas: As students listen to the reading, I would point out and review new vocabulary. Since Moon writes letters to his Pap, the student can write to him as Moon and talk about how they are feeling after an event happens.

[Dorith · Rating 5 out of 5]

habe das buch zum dritten mal, mittlerweile älter, gelesen und bin zutiefst berührt von der ehrlichkeit und dem mut von moon. seine lebenssituationen schnüren sich, trotz seinem beeindruckenden widerwillen gegen seine einengung, immer weiter zu - moon hält mit hoffnung und kreativität dagegen. dabei spürt er, dass pläne und ziele sich ändern und entwickelt eine eigene idee seines lebens. ein ganz besonderes buch!

[Carlos Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was half thinking that he would have his best friend at the end because why does he have to lose his dad AND his best friend? I low-key hate how his dad raised him, with no remorse of how to deal with authorities and what the rules of society are instead of just blocking them all out and allowing himself to die with a ten year old son to take care of. I also didn't like the constable because he reminded me of my sister in a way. no one should be in a position of power if they're that insane.

[Anne Rife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened accidentally but turned out to be a nice companion read to The Great Alone.

[Myn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my preferred middle school survival book. It drags. I had to force myself to finish it. Nice ending. Meh.

[Anna Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a unique perspective - a young boy who was raised in the woods and has never been exposed to the outside world. And it takes place in Alabama!

[PJ Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy named moon is a boy that lives with has dad and they don't like the government. I like the character moon because just the way he dose stuff like he doesn't care about a lot of things. Another reason why I like the book is because the way they do the book like the writing.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very special to me as a kid. Good story, it’s fun to follow the main character on his journeys.

[Brook Chromy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is that Moon parents died the mom died of some kind of sickness, the dad dies of an infection of the leg. The beginning takes place in a shelter in the woods. Moon’s dad hated the government and when he had the infection in his leg he told Moon to go to Alaska. Moon does not go to school and does not go into town. The only person that they trust is Mr. Abroscotto. He works at a convenience store near where they live. When his dad dies he took a wheelbarrow and put his dad in it and took it where his mom was buried. Sanders, a policeman, found Moon and told him to get to the car and took him to jail and then he went to Pinson which is a place for boys home. While there, he met Kit and Hal, and Moon was trying to make an escape plan. SPOILER ALERT DON'T READ ON!!!!!!! If you want to go ahead.
The escape plan worked and Kit and Hal and Moon and every one that was at Pinson went on a bus that Hal stole and went to the forest to run away from Pinson. Sanders was living by there or was checking out because he saw the bus. He attempted to find Moon, Hal,and Kit. All the kids except for Moon , Hal, and Kit, stayed on the bus and the other boys went on. Weeks later Hal left to see his dad and Moon and Kit were the only ones left, Hal did not like the forest life he wanted some meat but only ate cattails, and he had ticks in his hair and was very hungry. He was homesick and wanted to go to his dad, He found his dad and Kit got sick and Moon drug Kit Kit on a sled that Moon made with blankets to go get help. He saw a car he ran out to get attention and he left Kit and he reached him and the woman and the man took him to a hospital. When Moon was by himself he slept and then he saw a truck and he looked closely and he saw Hal again with his dad and they went to retrieve Moon to get him back to his house to change and take a shower. Also take care of him and hide him away from Sanders.
The character I like has to be Moon he is outdoor person and he is a survivalist. He knows more than me or I don't know about nature. I just know about Netflix and how to fix the internet or WIFI. The other hand I don't like Sanders the policeman because he likes to curse a lot and he choked Moon. He likes to hurt people and forced people to do stuff.
What would I rate this book 5 stars out of five because the book is so branchy with the plot. Also I would recommend this book for people who likes suspense. The reason why it's suspenseful because Sanders could find them but again he could not or something on those lines.