Magnolia Moon is nine and lives at 84 Crocus Cottage. She and the moon have been friends since the moment she was born. Magnolia and the moon share a name and they both like hiding. Magnolia likes hiding precious things, feathers and twigs. But Magnolia especially likes keeping secrets. And she is very good at keeping secrets!

Like when her best friend, Imogen May, was moving to a new house and going to a new school. Imogen May didn’t want anyone to know she was moving, so she didn’t want Magnolia to tell anyone or to say goodbye. Magnolia was sworn to secrecy. But she would have liked to have told someone as she was very upset that her best friend was moving. Magnolia had to see her one last time and say goodbye, but how will she do this without giving Imogen May’s secret away?

Or like when Mr Hawkins, her new teacher, asked the class to secretly write down three personal goals at the start of the new school year and put them in an envelope to be opened at the end of the year. Will she achieve her goals? While she was thinking she noticed quiet Casper wasn’t writing anything. How will she keep his secret but at the same time try to find out why he doesn’t have any goals?

The Secrets of Magnolia Moon is a lovely little book that follows Magnolia through her year as a nine-year-old. Magnolia has a wonderful imagination and the book conveys some beautiful imagery to the reader. It gives a whimsical insight into how children view the world and how they deal with new situations.

Reviewed by Cathy d’Apice
Age Guide 8+