Moonrise VS Ebb and Flow

Moonrise vs Ebb and Flow

Disclaimer - Everyone should read both of these books!  We are heartbroken that only one can go through  They are both beautiful well written and amazing stories in different ways and we want both in our libraries!

Ebb and Flow is a beautifully written story written in free verse geared for Division 2 students, but could be enjoyed by all Divisions.  The story is about a boy, Jett, who is spending the summer with his Grandma in her small town in Newfoundland.  He is repenting about something he did when he and his mother moved to the mainland for a fresh start. 
The Grandmother is a well developed character that loves Jett unconditionally as he works through his guilt and begins to love himself again.  The message coming through is that you can make a mistake, but it doesn't define you. 

Each chapter is a beautifully crafted scene filled with precision and imagery.  It is an excellent story to teach empathy, love and taking responsibility. 

Moonrise is an extremely powerful book about the injustices of the penal system in America that targets poor, marginalized people. 
This novel is also written in free verse through the voice of 17 year old Joe who hasn't seen his older brother, Ed for 10 years after he was sent to jail for murdering a police officer.
The story unfolds with flashbacks to Joe's childhood with Ed being the father figure- going to parent teacher interviews, making sure he had food, and doing the best he can to look after his brother with an alcoholic, often absent mother. 
It is beautiful and heartbreaking and terrible, and wonderful all at the same time.
It is a more mature read geared toward Division 3 and Division 4 readers, but an excellent read for us as adults too!

We were divided at Ellerslie!  3 for Moonrise and 3 for Ebb and Flow- so we hope that our other teammates from DSM will be the tipping point.