New Moon. By Stephenie Meyer

Title: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little Brown
Date: August 21, 2006
ISBN: 0316160199

Critical Analysis:

This is the second novel in the Twilight saga. Set in Forks, Washington, this book focuses on Bella’s depression following Edward’s abandonment. Bella is forced to live in her world without her beloved Edward. She finds comfort and emotional support from Jacob Black who is a werewolf that lives on the local Indian reservation with other werewolves and protects the town’s folk from the blood-sucking vampires. Bella is torn between her feelings for Jacob and her longing for Edward to come back.

Stephenie Meyer did a great job of introducing the possible love triangle of Bella, Edward and Jacob for new readers. While Edward’s character is absent for most of the text, readers will not be disappointed. This novel is clearly darker due to Bella’s depression but will keep readers engaged because of the introduction of the werewolf pack and the constant danger from other vampires that accompanies Bella throughout the story. Cindy Dobrez of Booklist wrote, “Romantics will miss Edward's presence, but the suspense created by a pack of werewolves bent on protecting Bella from a vindictive vampire will keep them occupied until the lovers can be reunited” (Booklist, Jul. 1, 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 21).

Meyer carries the Romeo and Juliet romance between Edward and Bella in this installment by creating a race against time for Bella to save Edward from killing himself in Italy because he believes Bella has died. Fans will eagerly want to read the sequel.

Review Excerpts:

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2007):

"To protect his girlfriend, Bella, vampire Edward leaves town. As a result, a broken-hearted Bella deepens her friendship with the earthier Jacob--who turns out to be a werewolf. Bella is little more than a passive stand-in for fantasy-happy readers, but the grandiose emotional arc begun in Twilight continues to entice, and Jacob's character development sets up a promising triangle. Category: Older Fiction. 2006, Little/Tingley, 563pp, 17.99. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws" Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on October 25, 2009).

Cindy Dobrez (Booklist, Jul. 1, 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 21)):

"Which is tempting you more, my blood or my body?" Things are heating up between Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, in this sequel to the immensely popular Twilight (2005). Then Bella is injured at her birthday party, and the Cullens' reaction to her blood sends Edward's family packing. Bella is inconsolable until she discovers that reckless behavior allows her to hear Edward's warning voice in her head. To keep him close, she decides to live as dangerously as possible, acquiring two motorcycles and developing a close friendship with Jacob, who helps her rebuild them. Romantics will miss Edward's presence, but the suspense created by a pack of werewolves bent on protecting Bella from a vindictive vampire will keep them occupied until the lovers can be reunited. The writing is a bit melodramatic, but readers won't care. Bella's dismay at being ordinary (after all, she's only human) will strike a chord even among girls who have no desire to be immortal, and like the vampires who watch Bella bleed with 'fevered eyes,' teens will relish this new adventure and hunger for more. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2006, Little, Brown, $17.99. Gr. 8-11." Retrieved from the Children's Literature Database (accessed on October 25, 2009).

Awards:

Young Reader's Choice Award, 2009.

Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2008.

American Booksellers Book Sense of the Year (ABBY) Award, 2007.

Connections:

You can access a reading guide by clicking on: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/_assets/lbyr/text-pdf/NewMoon_ONLINERGG_RVSD.pdf (accessed October 25, 2009).

Other books of interest:

Twilight: a novel. By Stephenie Meyer. Publisher: Little Brown. Date: 2005. ISBN: 9780316160179.

Eclipse. By Stephenie Meyer. Publisher Little Brown. Date: 2007. ISBN: 9780316160209.

Breaking Dawn. By Stephenie Meyer. Publisher Little Brown. Date: 2008. ISBN: 9780316067928.