The Moon Key (Smooch)

By J.R. Stampfl

Book Overview

The abandoned baby was wrapped in a hotel towel with a Wendy's napkin attached. "Please take care of her. We'll be back," the napkin said. Thus was christened Wendy Hilton. Thirteen years she's spent waiting for her parents to return. Today, Wendy's done waiting. She's about to become her own heroine. For around her neck is...

The Moon Key.

Small and silver, Wendy's only memento of her parents is a crescent-shaped pendant that opens the door to a new world - a magical world. Soon Wendy will be swimming with the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo and lighting the torch on the Statue of Liberty, all due to her newfound magical talents. But Wendy's powers come with a cost. She's being tested for some reason, and she doesn't know why. Are her parents involved? Will her foster brothers survive? Wendy wants to be a heroine, but first she must learn the true meaning of courage - and the sacrifices we make to protect the people we love.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1624671993
• ISBN13: 9781624671999
• Release Date: July 2013
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

An Enchanting Fantasy for the Teen Set

Young Wendy Hilton never had the life she dreamed about. She has no clue about her parents whereabouts, and simply knows the life of being transferred from foster home to foster home. But on her thirteenth birthday, something unexplained, and magical happens to Wendy. Wendy's small, silver, crescent-shaped pendant - worn around her neck since birth - opens up a whole new world for her. One filled with magic, and enchantment. Soon Wendy is lighting the torch on the Statue of Liberty, and swimming with the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo. All thanks to the special group named LATCH - Lunar Arena of Transformation, Concentration, and Hope. But Wendy's powers aren't all they're cracked up to be. In fact, they leave much to be desired, for her newfound powers come with a cost. Now Wendy is unsure of everything surrounding her, from whether her foster brothers will survive, to wondering if her biological parents are truly involved in some way. Sure, being a heroine sounds exciting to Wendy, but to claim that title, she must find courage within herself, and powers to protect the ones who truly matter. One word that describes THE MOON KEY: enchanting. THE MOON KEY is an excellently woven fantasy tale for young adults, that will keep them guessing until the very last page. Wendy is a brave, independent, and intelligent young heroine, whose newfound powers put her in a league of her own. J.R. Stampfl has created a marvelous new fantasy story that will appeal to both genders, and rival other YA fantasy novels on the market. Overall, THE MOON KEY is an enthralling story that takes readers on a fantastical journey that will stay with them for years to come. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

fine young adult Sci Fi

Preadolescent foster child Wendy Hilton is lonely. She has no friends, is bounced around from family to family, and has never been welcomed anywhere with even a gentle hug. Her self-esteem is beneath toe ooze at the bottom of the food chain and being obese and awkward just adds to her lack of confidence. Her poor grades is just an indication of how little regard she has for herself. On her thirteenth birthday, Wendy's life abruptly changes when the Lunar Arena of Transformation Concentration and Hope (LATCH) provides her with a scholarship. She makes friends for the first time, feels like she belongs, and even begins to lose weight. Her growing confidence and self esteem is reflected with her grades going up. The only negative is classmate Phillip Huntington who tries various stunts to cause Wendy to fail and hopefully be expelled. The teenage heroine, her new friends and the faculty at LATCH make this a fine tale whose message of believing in one's abilities is a critical element in living a harmonious life. Though Phillip is too much like the student enemies of Potter, the metamorphous of Wendy is cleverly handled so that the young adult audience can understand the forces that enable her to change for the better. She makes THE MOON KEY a fun tale to read. Harriet Klausner