The Moon And I (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Betsy Byars (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. While describing her humorous adventures with a blacksnake, Betsy Byars recounts childhood anecdotes and explains how she writes a book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For Byars, meeting an enormous blacksnake on her front porch becomes a springboard for tracing her lifelong love of animals, and also her likes and dislikes, successes and failures as a writer. The result is an appealingly idiosyncratic narrative that seamlessly weaves together the Newbery winner's life and art. In a personable, highly conversational style studded with wry observations and shot through with humility and perspective, Byars shares her views on the relative significance of various elements of a story; the importance of names in inventing characters ("I never had any trouble creating a terrible character as long as his name was Bubba"); the necessity for "lots and lots of good scraps" from real life; and the impossibility of writing when one is being watched, even by a snake. She uses lists, questions, examples from several of her works and even excerpts from fan letters--flattering and not--to illustrate her points. And, of course, she traces her developing friendship with Moon in its often hilarious ups and downs. It is pure pleasure and privilege to be thus invited into the world of such a warm and engaging artist. This goes far beyond most memoirs in its ability to engage the reader. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-- In this lively personal narrative, Byars focuses on the humorous results of her recent encounter with a very large, slightly mysterious black snake. Readers are thereafter treated to many interesting facts about snakes, and the elusive reptile becomes the key that opens the door to the author's happy childhood, the writing process, and the woman herself. The snake as centerpiece is a truly inspired choice; readers will be hooked into learning not only about such creatures and their habits, but also about Byars. In a witty, conversational style marked by short sentences and paragraphs and a deceptively simple use of dialogue to capture the humor or irony of the moment, this writer tells how she has arrives at the ideas for her books. Children will love this offering. It is very special nonfiction that truly entertains as it informs. --Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613004639
• ISBN-13: 978-0613004633
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,457,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Betsy Byars is a Newbery Medal winner and a National Book Award winner. Her books have appeared on the best books lists of the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and American Bookseller, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The moon and I review, March 10, 2000

By 

alan lefenfeld (Cleveland,Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moon and I (Paperback)

"The Moon and I" is an excellent book that tells the life of the famous author, Betsy Byars. It is a good autobiography. It has vivid descriptions. Betsy writes about her life and how she met a black snake, Moon. I like this book because it makes me feel like I'm with her in her life. What I dislike about this book is that the title was a little misleading. I thought it was about a moon! I recommend this book to anyone; it is for all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book!, March 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moon and I (Paperback)

In this excellently written book, Betsy Byars describes her friendship with moon (a snake she finds),tells bits of her childhood adventures, and gives helpful writing tips. A book that most anyone will enjoy. Betsy Byars has an amazing way with words! I had never read any of her books, but now am rushing to the library to check some out. I really enjoyed this book because it is well written and interesting. It is also inspiring as I want to be an author.

4.0 out of 5 stars the moon and i, January 16, 2006

By 

stephanie porter "stephanie" (lawrence, ma usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moon and I (Paperback)

this book has absolutely nothing to do with the moon. this is a story about betsy byars life. she tells about some points in her life that inspired some of her books. and she explains how a snake made her think about it all. this is the first book i've read by her. if all of her books are writen like this, then i would love to read others.