• Age: 13 to 18
• Grade: 6 to 9
• Reading age: 12 to 15

Lily MacArthur has never been much of a sleeper, but since the death of her Aunt Su, she’s lost the ability to sleep completely. Night after night she goes to bed and waits for the sun to rise, without catching a wink of sleep. As she pushes people away by day, her closest friend becomes the night-time moon. Looking for a way to spend her sleepless nights, she slips out of the house. She meets Ben, who works the night shift at the local drive-thru. A newcomer to town, Ben has a troubled past — and future — that he keeps from Lily.

As Lily’s sleeplessness begins to destroy her health, she has no idea that Ben holds the key to finding her sleep and saving her life. But first, she has to find a way to save his.

DEBORAH KERBEL a écrit des livres pour les jeunes adultes, les préadolescents et les lecteurs débutants. Ses romans ont été présélectionnés pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général, le prix du livre de l’année pour les jeunes adultes de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques et le Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. Elle vit à Toronto avec son mari, ses deux adolescents et Freddie, leur chien adopté.

DEBORAH KERBEL was born in London, England, and now lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, son and daughter, and a rescue dog named Freddie. Deborah has written a number of picture books, and is the author of four young adult and two middle-grade novels, including My Deal with the Universe. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and many readers’ choice awards. Visit her online at www.deborahkerbel.com.

Deborah Kerbel's profile page

• Commended, <i>Resource Links</i> Year's Best
• Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Text

“Kerbel interweaves light humourous moments with serious insights about how to live one’s life to the fullest, making for a wonderful story.”

Mabel's Fables Bookstore

“Deborah Kerbel effectively portrays the turmoil of the teen heart and mind: apprehensive of the unknown, like the obscurity of the dark night, while still hopeful for possibilities that glimmer in the moon.”

CanLit for Little Canadians

“Deborah Kerbel has given her readers an excellent coming-of-age young adult novel … [the novel] will be nominated for awards. It is certainly deserving! Highly Recommended.” 4/4 Stars

CM Magazine

“[A] gently touching, often funny story of grief, anxiety and loneliness — and of the surprise and pleasure of those rare points of contact that drive that loneliness away.”

Canadian Children's Book News

Under the Moon