Keeping the Moon

by Sarah Dessen
Keeping the Moon cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Young Adult (YA)
Technical
  • ID: 5801
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Published: 1999-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Colie, a 15-year-old girl who has recently lost weight, finds herself in a new town for the summer, working as a waitress in a beachside restaurant. Living with her quirky Aunt Mira, Colie begins to explore her sense of self and identity. The novel delves into themes of self-acceptance and personal growth, as Colie navigates the complexities of adolescence and the challenges of fitting in. /n/n The story is set against the backdrop of a vibrant beach town, where Colie encounters a variety of characters who help her on her journey. The narrative captures the essence of summer, self-discovery, and the struggles of growing up, making it a relatable and engaging read for young adults.

Reviews
Girl in the Pages · 2018-12-03
mixed 2.50

The book has a good message about self-esteem but struggles with pacing and character development.

The reviewer found the book to have a strong message about self-esteem and personal growth, which they appreciated. However, they noted that the pacing of the story could be slow at times, leading to moments of boredom. The character development, particularly of Colie, was seen as lacking depth, which affected the overall engagement with the story. Despite these issues, the reviewer acknowledged the positive themes and the potential appeal of the book to certain readers. The book's exploration of self-acceptance and the supportive relationships Colie forms are highlighted as its strongest points.

Quick quotes

    My biggest issue with Keeping the Moon is that I found myself getting bored through a lot of it.

    I wasn't super interested in Colie and she was ...

    The book has a good message of, like, self-esteem and all, but MAN does it get into a good deal of fat-shaming and ...

Book Hype · kozbisa · 2017-03-10
great 4.00

The book is a balanced mix of drama, fun, romance, and friendship, with great characters that make the story enjoyable.

Kozbisa appreciated the balance of elements in the book, noting that it successfully combines drama, fun, romance, and friendship. The characters are particularly praised for their depth and relatability, making the story engaging and enjoyable. The reviewer highlights the strong friendships and the supportive relationships that Colie forms, which add to the overall appeal of the book. The romance, while not the central focus, is well-integrated and adds a nice dimension to the narrative. Overall, kozbisa found the book to be a satisfying read with memorable characters and a well-paced story.

Quick quotes

    As always, Dessen gave us a story that was balanced with drama, fun, romance, and lots and lots of friendship.

    There were some great characters that made the story enjoyable.

    The romance, while not the central focus, is well-integrated and adds a nice dimension to the narrative.

Book Binge · Rowena · 2012-10-18
good 3.00

The book is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and growth, with a protagonist who is relatable and well-developed. The setting and supporting characters add depth to the story.

Rowena found the book to be a charming and engaging read, particularly praising the protagonist Colie for her authenticity and growth throughout the story. The setting in the town of Colby, which is familiar to fans of Sarah Dessen's works, adds a layer of warmth and familiarity. The supporting characters, such as Colie's eccentric aunt Mira and her new friends, are well-developed and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the book. The romance, while not the main focus, is sweet and understated, adding a nice touch to the narrative. Overall, Rowena enjoyed the book for its heartwarming story and memorable characters.

Quick quotes

    This book follows Colie, who used to be fat as she spends the summer with her crazy Aunt Mira in the town we've all come to love through Sarah Dessen books.

    The romance wasn't a main focus but it also wasn't very strong.

    Overall not very memorable but it was an acceptable read.

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