Critics' Opinion:
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Published Apr 2014
224 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
In West of the Moon, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Margi Preus expertly weaves original fiction with myth and folktale to tell the story of Astri, a young Norwegian girl desperate to join her father in America.
After being separated from her sister and sold to a cruel goat farmer, Astri makes a daring escape. She quickly retrieves her little sister, and, armed with a troll treasure, a book of spells and curses, and a possibly magic hairbrush, they set off for America. With a mysterious companion in tow and the malevolent ?goatman" in pursuit, the girls head over the Norwegian mountains, through field and forest, and in and out of folktales and dreams as they steadily make their way east of the sun and west of the moon.
"Starred Review. Like dun silk shot though with gold, Preus interweaves the mesmerizing tale of Astri's treacherous and harrowing mid-nineteenth-century emigration to America with bewitching tales of magic. A fascinating author's note only adds to the wonder." - Booklist
"Starred Review. Norwegian history, fiction and folklore intertwine seamlessly in this lively, fantastical adventure and moving coming-of-age story. Ages 11-14" - Kirkus
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Margi Preus has written many popular plays, picture books, and novels for young readers. She has traveled the globe to research her novels and, along the way, has made friends in Japan, Norway, and many other places. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota. Visit her online at margipreus.com.
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