Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

Laurel has a beautiful name. It means “stays green forever.”  The plant laurel will be green even in the middle of winter- -giving hope for the spring.

Laurel’s family in Pass Christian, Mississippi suffered a tremendous loss when her mother and her grandmother died in a hurricane.

Now it is just Laurel, her dedicated father and her much younger brother Jesse Jr. When Laurel and her family move to Galilee, Laurel meets Kaylee and T-Boom.  Laurel and Kaylee are both cheerleaders--full of life as 15 year olds.  T-Boom is the captain of the basketball team.  When he introduces Laurel to “Moon” (Meth), she is instantly transported to a state of mind where she doesn’t’ have to deal with her family’s losses.  Her drug use spirals out of control.

Will her father’s efforts to save her, keep Laure off Moon? Will his prayers and the church’s efforts reach her in time to save her life?

Read this sensitive portrayal of drug addiction--Beneath a Meth Moon-- gone awry to find out.