Grandfather and the Moon - by Stéphanie Lapointe (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This ... novel tells the story of the affection between a girl and her grandfather. When the grandfather withdraws in grief after his wife dies, the girl is determined to live life fully herself and enters an extraordinary contest"--

Book Synopsis

An award-winning graphic novel from Quebec -- for fans of Jane, the Fox and Me and A Year Without Mom

This moving graphic novel tells the story of the affection between a girl and her grandfather. When the grandfather withdraws in grief after his wife dies, the girl is determined to live life fully herself and enters an extraordinary contest -- the result is a sensitive portrayal of pursuing a dream.

Grandfather, a man of few words, is devastated when his beloved wife succumbs to cancer, and he sinks into depression. His granddaughter ("Mémère," as he calls her) has a different response. She decides to enter the Who Will Go to the Moon Contest, and when she actually wins, she hopes that Grandfather will be proud of her. She embarks on the thrilling journey and at first it is wonderful, but just as she is about to reach the moon, her journey takes an unexpected turn.

Written by Stéphanie Lapointe and beautifully illustrated by Rogé, this imaginative graphic novel explores intergenerational relationships, love, death, dreams and illusions.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1
Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6
Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.

Review Quotes

"I have to tell you that this is not your normal, average, everyday, please everyone, children's book. No, this is a book that might be a picture book, might be a middle grade short novel, might be for young adults, and could certainly be for adults as well. The best I can say is that it's a short story, illustrated. And that you'll never read anything quite like it this year. ... it could be a perfect book discussion group for kids and teens of all ages." -- School Library Journal

"Lapointe's prose is lyrical, meditative, and observant, and the love between girl and grandfather feels very real, amid the story's fantastical twists." -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Roge's pictures stir big emotions out of the smallest gestures. ... An undeniable if imperfect gem." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This is beautiful, bewitching stuff ... the enigmatic symbolism, poetic language, and evocative artwork may utterly entrance the right reader." -- Booklist

About the Author

Stéphanie Lapointe is a singer and actress who has produced three solo albums and is involved in various television, theater and film productions. She has co-directed several documentaries abroad for Radio Canada International and Care Canada. She is also the author of the young adult novel, Victoria. Stéphanie lives in Montreal.

Rogé is an illustrator, painter and writer with more than twenty children's books to his credit. He has won the Governor General's Literary Award, and his book on Haiti was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. He lives in Montreal.