Walk Two Moons

Written by Sharon Creech

Narrated by Hope Davis

In her own singularly beautiful style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion.

Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her country roots and the ""Indian-ness in her blood,"" travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. Along the way, she tells them of the story of Phoebe Winterbottom, who received mysterious messages, who met a ""potential lunatic,"" and whose mother disappeared.

As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe's outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold—the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 17, 2005
• ISBN: 9780060859428

Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech has written twenty-one books for young people and is published in over twenty languages. Her books have received awards in both the U.S. and abroad, including the Newbery Medal for Walk Two Moons, the Newbery Honor for The Wanderer, and Great Britain’s Carnegie Medal for Ruby Holler. Before beginning her writing career, Sharon Creech taught English for fifteen years in England and Switzerland. She and her husband now live in Maine, “lured there by our grandchildren,” Creech says. www.sharoncreech.com

Reviews for Walk Two Moons

[quondame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two 13 year old girls who are dealing with their mothers' absence, the story told by one, Sal on a trip with her grandparents to her mother's last location. It is a story about loss and stories and learning about one's own life by examining others' lives. There is a low key slightly mocking humor and while the story was well enough put together I found some discordant notes.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While on a road trip to go visit her mother in Idaho, thirteen year old Sal entertains her grandparents with strange tales about her friend Phoebe. There's a lot in this story to digest, I may go back for a re-read soon.

[katieloucks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

loved the remembering in this book

[Katy Moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it's AMAZING! i actually read it in Seven Cruel Hours Of Our Lives. but then i got covid and had to be home schooled so i mainly use this audio book as a Half Of My Energy Wasted On Random Knowledge guide

[rvhatha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me awhile to get into the rhythm of this book...the story-within-a-story takes a bit of getting used to, and some of the dialogue seemed a little improbable. But the pieces started falling together eventually, and in the end, I loved the way Creech's novel reminds us how we often have to sneak up on the truth in our own way and in our own time.

[al9g · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“It seems to me that we can’t explain all the truly awful things in the world like war and murder and brain tumors, and we can’t fix these things, so we look at the frightening things that are closer to us and we magnify them until they burst open. Inside is something we can manage…”Sometimes we can find our own stories if we “Walk Two Moons” in someone else’s story. Creech imaginatively unwinds Sal’s story as she tells the story of her friend, Phoebe in this book for young readers. We hear Phoebe’s story as we ride along with Sal and her grandparents on their journey across country. It is a journey of discovery and a cherished time with her grandparents. As we journey with Sal and her grandparents and hear Phoebe’s story, we grow to discover that Sal is also telling us her story. It is a story of mystery and youthful suspense, adventure and enlightenment as well as a journey of loss and sadness that leads us to hope.

[mutantpudding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ive read this book several times before (in grade school and as a teenager) and find the story compelling and interesting and it always makes me cry at least a little bit. The split format of the book as Sal tells the reader about several different times in her life works well and the story is emotional and serious and hilarious in turns.

Even though I like this book I took issue with it on this read through because of something I didnt really pick up on before; its kinda racist. Im not saying the author holds any malice towards Native Americans, but the way she includes that part of her protagonists identity relies quite a bit on stereotypes and tropes. I would still highly recommend this book, but also probably recommend checking out some reviews written by Indigenous people as well.

[ftbooklover · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Walk Two Moons is the sad story of Salamanca Tree Hiddle whose mother left Sal and her father to travel out west, but never returned home. Sal takes a trip with her grandparents to follow the path her mother took. While on the trip, Sal tells her grandparents the story of her friend, Phoebe Winterbottom whose mother also disappeared. By alternating between the two stories, we get a chance to see the parallels between them and the differences that ultimately leads to the lesson or theme of the book which is dealing with loss. Newbery Award-winning books often have deeper meanings behind the actions of the characters, and this book was no exception. I did think that the book was almost too sad, leaving the reader with the message that there is very little in life to be happy about. Otherwise, this is a very well written story, full of emotion.

[kerilynned · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book dealt with some really tough topics. I like the way Sal somewhat tells her story thru her storytelling of Phoebe. It was very impactful how she also learned from her experiences with Phoebe. Her grandparents are just wonderful. It was an emotional read at some points but very worth it.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good children’s book

[fingerpost_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

13 year old Salamanca Tree Hiddle's mother left home mysteriously, and eventually, even though Salamanca knows where she is, knows she will not come back.Her eccentric grandparents take her on trip across country to see her mother, and along the way, she tells them the story of her friendship with Phoebe... a girl whose mother also left her mysteriously without explanation.A beautiful story (two stories actually) with several surprises in the last few chapters. The tears were so thick in my eyes the last couple of chapters I had trouble reading them.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Salamanca and her grandparents are on a road trip retracing the steps of her mother. While they drive, Sal tells them the story of her friend Phoebe, and in telling her story we learn her and her mother's, and why her mother left.I had forgotten just about everything about this story other than the fact that I enjoyed this and other works by the author some years ago. This one was a well-deserved Newbery award winner that unfolds its mysteries deliberately and explores the idea that you can't make snap judgments about others but should try to see and understand their points of view.

[alexistl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book to help students who may be facing similar situations.

[terris-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

LOVED this one!!! By the title, I thought it was going to be an Indian story, but it was not. It was about a 13-year-old girl finding her way through difficulties in her life, with many interesting characters along the way (her grandparents being two of the main ones -- they are a hoot!). It is light, funny, sad, sweet, and overall a very nice read. Recommended for Grades 6-9 -- I would recommend it for all ages!

[alaina.loescher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was highly emotional and, by the end, tears were streaming down my face. I loved the complexity of Salamanca. Anyone that has dealt with grief could empathizer with Sal and Pheobe's reluctance to accept their respective situations, and I think this is a powerful topic that could be addressed with students. This book is jammed packed with important lessons.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A bit melodramatic, but wise and sensitive. Enough leavening of humor to make it palatable. Still, I wish the Newbery committee would stop this absent mother business. Lately it seems that most children in these award-winning titles are orphans or nearly so.

Btw, Absolutely Normal Chaos is actually not a sequel - it's just set in the same created world.

[engpunk77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Change the cover! This book has been shuffled from one pile or bookshelf to another for the past 8 years. I knew I "should" read it, but really wasn't that interested. WOW. One of the most amazing young adult novels that I've EVER read. I'm wanting to discuss it at length and feel unready to really review it; the experience is still too raw.

I'll get back to this.

I recommend this to Ami. Audiobook rocked.

[flackm-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is such a great book! It's funny, happy, and sad all at once. It's about a girl named Salamanca. She's 13 proud of her country roots, but she lives in Ohio now. Sal is on a trip with her wacky grandparents to "see" her mom. Along the way, she tells them a story of Pheobe Winterbottom, who have been receiving mysterious messages, meets a potential lunatic, and whose mother disappeared. Her own story unravels as the adventure continues!

[jherrm1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In my opinion this is a good book for students who are in the fifth grade to read wither on their own or as a class. The beginning of the book was very difficult to get into but once you get in about to page seventy the fluency increases as well as the flow of the story. The language seemed informative for the most part as well as somber towards the end of the story. The characters were described in great detail which allowed the reader to get closer to the story and the understanding of all the events that happened throughout the story. I would recommend this book to my older students.

[kbarry9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book, and it was such a wonderful read. I never wanted to put this book down, because of how the author consistently left you on the edge of your seat. Reading this book now as I am older, truly made me appreciate the overall message of, "never judge a man, until you walk two moons in his moccasins." As a young reader, I would not have made all of these connections the book had to offer. However, now I was able to make all of the connections, and truly understand why the author's style of writing is so intriguing. The characters in this book were from a different culture, and I loved how they brought to life so much of the beauty that the world has to offer, and this put me in such a great mood. I commend Sharon Creech, on such a wonderful read that student's can definitely benefit with if they are struggling with understanding the effects of death, or simply because they would like a great read.

[amydelpo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful book about a teenage girl coping with the dissolution of her family. Issues of death and grief -- family breakup -- being in a new place. Well written and tender book. Some romance -- nothing racy. Fine for fifth grade up.

[bmsherid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this novel. I think this would be a great novel for upper-elementary students to read because of the experiences some of the characters are going through. What is great about this novel is it follows the protagonist, Salamanca, on a journey with her two grandparents to Minnesota to visit her mother. While on the trip to pass time Salamanca talks about her friend Phoebe and what is happening in her life. There are really four stories happening at once. The story of Salamanca, the story of Phoebe, the story of Salamanca's grandparents, and the story of the road trip Salamanca and her grandparents are experiencing. This would be a great book to incorporate U.S geography in the classroom as the novel goes through different states. It would also be a great novel to teach about context clues since the ending to some students may seem surprising. Overall points of the novel are heartbreaking, but it teaches students the importance of love and life.

[andymcclellan_93 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this book? This is a fantastic book, one that I think makes children love reading. This is one of those books that comes along every so often and changes the game. This is as fantastic a children's novel as it gets.

[juliamarinaro · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I first read Walk Two Moons when I was in 5th grade. I am now 19 and since then have read it at least 5 more times. It was my first favorite book, and it will always have a special place in my heart. The story is told by a young girl to her grandparents while on car trip, and it sweeps the reader into the ridiculous world of the characters. The dialogue is told beautifully in a way children can understand and help them grasp early thoughts of love, death, tragedy, struggles, and friendship. A fantastic read for the young and old.

[ma_washigeri · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like the book as well but I heard it on tape first and the voice of this narrator really brought it alive for me. Instead of pinning down my imagination the reading opened new possibilities for me. I listened to the tape over a couple of weeks (doing the cooking and washing up) and for for that time I walked with the story quite intensely.

[kjacob9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved reading this book! One aspect of this book that I loved was the way the story was told. I liked how the majority of the story was actually a retelling that had already occurred prior. I thought this was a very interesting way to the reveal the story to the reader, it helped to build suspense throughout the story to keep it exciting. Another aspect of this book that I loved was the use of imagery and details to describe the setting and characters. My favorite scene from this book was when Sal had reached her mother’s grave and looked out over the mountains. This scene was so incredibly powerful and without the details it would not have been so impactful. The main message of this story is that the love of family is one of the most important things in life.

[emilysadler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved how surprising this book was! When I began reading it, I had not idea that her mother died and her grandmother would also die. This book deals with the sad reality of death of close family members and would be a good way to relate to students going through similar life events. Salamanca learns how to deal with the pain of loss and is able to move forward. I also liked that the book had a story within the story. Phoebe’s story is very similar to Salamanca’s in that their mother’s left them for some reason. I thought it was interesting to have a comparison within the story to see how different characters react to abandonment. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful book with a powerful ending.

[jraeke1-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. It takes you through such a wide variety of emotion while reading. Sal and her grandparents get to see old faithful and it is beautiful and amazing back to the mystery and worry of Phoebe's mom leaving. Then you feel sadness when Phoebe sees her mom with Mike and she doesn't understand what is going on. It was intriguing and takes you through so many emotions just in a few pages. Another reason I really liked this book is because of the language used. The grandparents have been given their own language to use. For example they say Peeby instead of Phoebe and the grandpa always calls the grandma gooseberry. Another example would be calling Sal chickabiddy. The main idea of this story is sometimes you have to see for yourself. Sal was not going to be able to come to peace with the loss of her mother until she saw for herself that she was really gone.

[resaliens_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gentle, lyrical, middle grade novel about life, death, and the joys and sorrows along the way. Childlike, simple and profound, a lovingly written "travelogue" from a young girl's perspective. First book in a long time that drew tears.

[alexjtedesco · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story within a story. It may be a bit too enigmatic for some children to appreciate or fully comprehend. This book is probably more suited to upper elementary. Contains a good lesson about not judging others until you've "walked two moons in their moccasins."