Unhooking the moon by Gregory Hughes
Quercus, 2010. ISBN 9781849162951.
(Age 12+) Highly recommended. When the Rat, a precocious ten-year-old
girl, predicts the death of her father, Bob is sceptical but the Rat's
predictions have come true in the past. When they find their father
dead, they decide to travel from Winnipeg to New York in search of
their uncle, who is rumoured to be a drug dealer. Setting out on their
bikes, they encounter many adventures on their road trip including
meeting up with a smuggler, a con man and a famous rap star. How can
they find their uncle amongst so many people and survive on the streets
of New York?
Hughes has created two of the most memorable characters that I have
read in books recently. The Rat is an amazing girl, who, although
suffering from seizures, is remarkably wise and brave. She can speak
several languages and mimic anyone she meets. Her charisma is
extraordinary and her leadership skills are remarkable. Her hatred of
paedophiles is a theme throughout the book. Her older brother Bob finds
himself in the role of follower and protector, always worrying about
the Rat's fragility. Good looking and kind hearted, he moves along in
the wake of the Rat's wishes and their sibling love is a highlight of
the book.
Hughes' writing of dialogue is superb. The Rat uses the word 'beep'
instead of a swear word and this provides much of the humour in the
book. Other characters come alive through their conversation as well.
Unhooking the moon is not just an engrossing road trip; it is
original
and heart rending. It covers themes of mental illness, death, the
effect of fame and homelessness in a seamless story that had me
laughing and crying.
Nothing prepared me for the magic and gritty realism in the book
although the fact that it has been awarded the Booktrust Teenage Prize,
2010 and shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2010,
should have warned me that it would be an outstanding story. It
deserves to be promoted vigorously by teachers and librarians to
individuals, for class sets and literature circles. I believe that it
will make its mark as a modern children's classic.
Pat Pledger