Did you know that January 10th was National Peculiar Person Day? To celebrate, let’s talk about a peculiar children’s book character named Xan from the book The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Xan is a witch who lives the forest in the land of the Protectorate alongside her friends Glerk, the Swamp Monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon named Fryian. Once a year, Xan rescues a baby abandoned by the people of the Protectorate and delivers it to welcoming families who live on the other side of the forest. During the journey, Xan usually nourishes the baby with starlight. One year, she accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead which grants the baby magical abilities. As a result, Xan must raise the magical baby herself. She names the baby girl Luna and locks up the magic deep inside of the child. Luna grows up with Xan, Glerk, and Fryian and it isn’t until her thirteenth birthday her magical abilities are unlocked. Unfortunately, when that happens, Xan is far away and unable to help Luna with her magical powers, or protect Luna and her friends from a Protectorate invader. Luna must do everything in her own power to protect her peculiar friends from harm in this magical coming of age story.
Recommended
for grades 4-8.
ATOS
Book Level: 4.8
A.R.
Points: 12
Who are some peculiar book characters you’ve encountered in
your reading? Are they weirder than Xan?