How High the Moon

By: Karyn Parsons

Narrated by: Karyn Parsons, Sisi Aisha Johnson

To Kill a Mockingbird meets One Crazy Summer in this powerful, bittersweet about one girl's journey to reconnect with her mother and learn the truth about her father in the tumultuous times of the Jim Crow South.

In the small town of Alcolu, South Carolina, in 1944, 12-year-old Ella spends her days fishing and running around with her best friend Henry and cousin Myrna. But life is not always so sunny for Ella, who gets bullied for her light skin tone and whose mother is away pursuing a jazz singer dream in Boston. So Ella is ecstatic when her mother invites her to visit for Christmas. Little does she expect the truths she will discover about her mother, the father she never knew and her family's most unlikely history. And after a life-changing month, she returns South and is shocked by the news that her schoolmate George has been arrested for the murder of two local white girls. Bittersweet and eye-opening, How High the Moon is a timeless novel about a girl finding herself in a world all but determined to hold her down.

"Timely, captivating, and lovely. So glad this book is in the world." —Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming

Critic reviews

* "As compelling as Brown Girl Dreaming, as character-driven as One Crazy Summer, and as historically illuminating as Roll of Thunder, Hear Me Cry. A captivating novel that sheds new light on black childhood."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"....wonderful voices and character interactions, and an evocative cover will draw readers."—Booklist

"...a welcome addition to middle school readers."—School Library Connection

"....historical fiction fans may nonetheless appreciate this look at racial tensions in both the South and the North in the World War II era."—BCCB

"How High the Moon is at once historical and timely, captivating, and lovely. In Karyn Parsons brilliant hands, I feel like I've traveled a lifetime into the heartbreaking and beautiful south of the 1940s, spent time with Ella, Myrna and Henry and the many other amazing people I've met in this book, then landed back here in the present day having left a part of me behind. So glad this book is in the world."—Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming

"In How High the Moon, Karyn Parson brings the same verve, timing, and emotive brilliance that she brought to the screen. Equal parts mystery, historical fiction, and coming-of-age, this is a story full of warmth and light and drama that will captivate you. That will haunt you. And that will ultimately enlighten you."—Kwame Alexander, author of The Crossover

"A talented, engaging new voice. A brave, compassionate, and lovable heroine."—Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of Ghost Boys

"Parson's sparkling debut grabs us by the heart and leads us by the hand into a painful past filled with revelations, hope, and homecoming. Absolutely Glorious!"—Rita Williams Garcia, author of One Crazy Summer

"A tender and compelling story about loving and belonging. Parsons masterfully takes us on a journey where the political is personal, where the most heartbreaking moments are also profound and beautiful. Ella is a character readers will care about, cry with, and cheer for. How High the Moon is a stunning debut that promises to have readers wanting more and more from Parsons."—Renee Watson, author of Piecing Me Together

"A timeless tale that uncovers family secrets and hidden histories for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Masterfully done!"—Tami Charles, author of Like Vanessa

"A stirring, emotionally resonant debut, How High the Moon opens a fresh and sensitive window on a terrifying time, even as it introduces us to a lovable new heroine--Ella Louise!"—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Times}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Tony Abbott, author of Firegirl and The Great Jeff.

Setting and storyline was interesting.

It almost felt like the ending was rushed, or like the author didn’t want to dig deeper? Great book for my scholars but it felt like they were only getting the tip of the iceberg.

Amazing Story, Terrific Voice Artist

This was such a great listen. I judge a good book by how much I want to know what happened to the characters after the book ends, and I definitely felt that way after finishing How High the Moon! The characters are all people you come to quickly care about. The author Karyn Parsons manages to skillfully weave multiple story lines together as well as bits of history from a real life series of incidents. There is mystery, drama, and warmth. There are characters you'll root for. There is tragedy and yet hope. It was well done, and deeply moving. And I think it finds a way to honor George Stinney without forgetting Betty June Binnicker and Mary Emma Thames.

I also loved the reader Sisi Aisha Johnson. She was really good at creating voices for the different characters. Her interpretations of the voices of children were also wonderful and I was impressed at the convincing voices she managed for male characters (which I can't imagine is easy!). Her performance greatly added to my enjoyment of this book.