Cheat the Moon

by Patricia Hermes

With her mother dead and her father an alcoholic who disappears for days at a time, Gabrielle must assume responsibility for her younger brother Will and herself, barely making ends meet and afraid to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316359297
• ISBN13: 9780316359290
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Unexpected and Suprising

Cheat the Moon is a book about two siblings who's mother died, and their dad hasn't been home for about twenty-one days. Gabby is the older girl who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June . She really wants to go, for she has always wanted to see the ocean, but her dad hasn't been home, and she can't leave her little brother alone for that long. I liked this book because it was dealing with real life situations, and when I read it , I felt like I was there standing next to the characters because it had rich description. I also liked that the book was written in first person. So I don't only feel like I'm standing next to the characters, but I also feel like there telling me a story of part of there life. I do recommend this book if you like a book written in first person. Cheat the moon doesn't have much action but it still is a good book. I gave it five stars because the ending turned out good and not so upsetting.

exciting and surprising

Ocean BluesCheat the Moon is a book about two siblings whose mother died and their dad hasn't been home for 21 days. Gabby is the older of two, who is invited to go on a trip to the ocean with her friend in June. She really wants to go for she has always wanted to see the ocean.The only problem is her dad hasn't been home for a while , and she can't leave her brother home alone. I liked this book because it made you think it could be a true story, and when I read it I felt like i was standing next to the characters. It had rich description which made me feel that way. I also like that the book was written in first person. So, I don't only feel I'm standing next to the characters, but there also telling me the story of part of their life.

A Good Book

Gabby is a 12 year old girl that has a 6 year old brother named Will. Their mom passed away and their dad is a drunk. He is hardly ever home. Gabby's friend, Mallie, is going on a vacation to the ocean. Gabby was invited to come along, and Gabby wanted to go. Gabby's dad came back from being gone for 22 days. He promised her he would stay for good, so she could go on the trip. Then one day Clara, a lady that helped them out came over and stayed with them. If you want to find out the ending, read the book.

12 year old Gabby acts as the only adult in her family.

This is the wonderfully written story of Gabby, a stong and independent 12 year old girl who is essentially raising herself and her six year old brother, Will. Their mother is dead. Their father is an alcoholic who is away on drinking binges for long periods of time. Gabby stubbornly keeps her family's problems private, and does not allow social workers or neighbors to help them. When her father reappears after 22 days of heavy drinking, he promises to stay for good this time. Gabby's heard this countless times before, and is doubtful. Will, on the other hand, naively trusts his father to stick around. Their father tries very hard to make things up to Gabby and Will. He finds a job, and buys them food and clothes. He even reconciles with the grandmother who raised him, Clara, so that Gabby and Will might have more family than just their father. Gabby doesn't expect her father to stick around, but it comes as a shock when he is killed in an accident at the m! ill where he works. Gabby, who has always been strong, tries to deal with her loss in a matter of fact, practical way. She insists that she and Will can live on their own, without help. Eventually, Clara helps Gabby realize her sorrow, and persuades Gabby to accept her offer of taking care of them. Only after mourning her father does Gabby learn what her mother meant long ago when she told Gabby to "cheat the moon." This book is beautifully written, the story is realistic and compelling. The reader grows to understand the characters and their faults, and grows to love them faults and all. Even Gabby's father evokes sympathy rather than scorn. The author expertly weaves together an array of feelings. The story is at once sobering and inspirational, sorrowful and hopeful. The story is written simply enough for 12 year old readers, and the serious subject matter is dealt with in a manner appropriate for that age. Older readers will be able to appri! ciate this book on many other levels; there many subtle the! mes throughout including coming of age and learning to let go. Although the character of Gabby is 12, she is mature enough to appeal to a wide age range of readers, including high school age. The writing is excellent, and could also be appreciated by adult readers.