Question 1

What is Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech about?

Accepted Answer

Walk Two Moons follows thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle on a cross-country road trip with her grandparents to Idaho to visit her mother. Along the journey, Sal tells her grandparents the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother mysteriously disappeared. Through this nested storytelling, Sal gradually reveals the truth about her own mother's death in a bus accident and comes to terms with her grief and denial.

Question 2

Who wrote Walk Two Moons and what awards did it win?

Accepted Answer

Walk Two Moons was written by Sharon Creech and published by HarperCollins in 1994. The novel won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1995, awarded to the best children's book published in the United States. Sharon Creech became the first person to win both the American Newbery Medal and the British Carnegie Medal, making her a groundbreaking figure in children's literature.

Question 3

Who should read Walk Two Moons?

Accepted Answer

Walk Two Moons is ideal for middle school readers ages 10-14 who are exploring themes of loss, grief, and identity. The novel is widely taught in elementary and middle schools worldwide as it addresses universal experiences of dealing with death, learning not to judge others, and connecting with family. Readers who appreciate layered storytelling, coming-of-age narratives, and emotionally resonant characters will find this book particularly meaningful.

Question 4

Is Walk Two Moons worth reading?

Accepted Answer

Walk Two Moons remains a classic worth reading decades after its 1994 publication, earning its place as required reading in schools worldwide. The novel's exploration of grief, acceptance, and empathy through Sal's journey resonates with readers experiencing loss or family changes. Sharon Creech's masterful use of parallel storytelling—where Sal's narrative mirrors Phoebe's story—creates layers of meaning that reward careful reading and make it a timeless contribution to children's literature.

Question 5

What is the main message of Walk Two Moons?

Accepted Answer

The central message of Walk Two Moons is captured in the Native American proverb: "Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins." Through Sal's journey, Sharon Creech teaches readers about empathy, understanding others' perspectives, and accepting painful truths. The novel emphasizes that everyone carries hidden struggles and that coming to terms with loss—rather than remaining in denial—is essential for healing and moving forward.

Question 6

Why did Sal's mother leave in Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech?

Accepted Answer

Sal's mother left after suffering a miscarriage and undergoing a hysterectomy, which left her deeply depressed and questioning her identity. She needed to travel west to figure out who she was beyond being a mother, as having children was central to her sense of self. Sal initially believes her mother abandoned the family, but eventually learns that her mother died in a bus accident in Lewiston, Idaho, and never intended to leave permanently.

Question 7

What does "walk two moons in his moccasins" mean in Sharon Creech's book?

Accepted Answer

"Walk two moons in his moccasins" is a Native American proverb meaning you shouldn't judge someone until you've experienced life from their perspective. In Walk Two Moons, this phrase appears as one of the mysterious messages left on Phoebe's porch and becomes the novel's guiding principle. Sal applies this wisdom by walking in her mother's footsteps—literally retracing her journey to Idaho—which helps her understand her mother's struggles and find empathy rather than anger.

Question 8

What happens to Sal's mother in Walk Two Moons?

Accepted Answer

Sal's mother dies in a bus accident near Lewiston, Idaho, over a year before the novel's main events. The bus crashed over a cliff while her mother was on a sightseeing tour, with only one passenger—Margaret Cadaver—surviving. Throughout most of Walk Two Moons, Sal remains in denial about her mother's death, telling herself that her mother is simply away and will return, until she finally visits her mother's grave and accepts the truth.

More like this

Key takeaways

A Journey of Two Moons: Finding Ourselves Through Others

Don't Judge Until You've Walked Two Moons

Perfect Facades and Messy Truths

Bravery Wears Many Faces

Nature as Healer and Teacher

Loss and Memory: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Finding Peace in Life's Cycles

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Summary

Overview of Walk Two Moons

Similar books to Walk Two Moons

More like this

Key takeaways

A Journey of Two Moons: Finding Ourselves Through Others

Don't Judge Until You've Walked Two Moons

Perfect Facades and Messy Truths

Bravery Wears Many Faces

Nature as Healer and Teacher

Loss and Memory: The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Finding Peace in Life's Cycles

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Walk Two Moons Summary in 8 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Walk Two Moons in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Walk Two Moons Lessons Told Through 22-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Walk Two Moons Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Walk Two Moons PDF

Download Walk Two Moons EPUB