Blair Moon: How to be cooler than the moon (AshIeigh Mounser, Ford St)

Blair Moon: How to be cooler than the moon by Ashleigh Mounser is a fast-paced novel that doesn’t let up, much like its protagonist, Blair Moon. Eleven-year-old Blair is precocious, ahead of her peers intellectually but maybe not quite there socially. Which is fair, considering she’s been homeschooled in a nursing home! When her mother enrols her in the local primary school, her life is suddenly topsy-turvy, and Blair Moon has a lot to learn—how to become student president, the art of being cool and how to be a good friend. Although the story sometimes borders on absurdity, the shenanigans will no doubt entertain middle-grade readers. Blair isn’t always the most likable of protagonists; in fact, sometimes you want to give her a good talking to—to get her to learn whatever lesson it is she needs to learn. However, there is an important message for any reader about not taking your friends for granted. The story also touches on ambition and determination. Blair Moon never gives up, but she does learn to listen and appreciate her friends more. This is a good choice for readers aged 10–13 years who have previously enjoyed books from series such as Funny Kid by Matt Stanton or Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell.