Jerry, Let Me See the Moon by Jeffrey Ebbeler (review)

Reviewed by: Jerry, Let Me See the Moon by Jeffrey Ebbeler Quinita Balderson Ebbeler, Jeffrey Jerry, Let Me See the Moon. Holiday House, 2024 304p Trade ed. ISBN 9780823453092 18. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780823457335 10. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 3-5 As the son of a scientist in constant search of the rarest specimens, Jerry frequently found himself traveling to interesting locations, picking up tokens of knowledge on the fly. When his father announces their arrival at their new residence Fort Phylum, Jerry is underwhelmed by the gated community, filled with retro style, cookie-cutter homes that appear to be straight out of the 1950s. His father is rather tight-lipped about what brings them there, but something's odd in this boring town; when Jerry's tasked with babysitting Pearl, his squirrely new neighbor with the short attention span, why else would her mom warn against moon gazing? Jerry soon realizes that the unassuming appearance is intentional as its inhabitants all share a shocking secret—they are therianthropes (were-people) who transform into animals in the light of a full moon. (Yep, Pearl's a were-squirrel. ) The exclusive community intended to be a safe haven for were-people is threatened when a meeting mysteriously goes wrong, thrusting everyone into one big can of worms. Ebbeler's skillful storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Jerry delves deeper into the town's hidden truths, uncovering a web of intrigue and danger. New friends Jerry and Pearl bond through their adventures, and their rambunctious humor and horseplay shine quite well through the illustrations. This is a fun, quick-paced, delightfully silly romp of a read that belongs in the hands of young readers who simply love a laugh. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois