Artie and the Wolf Moon

Gr 5-8–When Artie disobeys her mom and sneaks out after dark to photograph a full moon, she discovers that her mother is a werewolf—and so is Artie. They return to her mom’s hometown, home to a werewolf pack, so Artie can learn about her history. She soon realizes that there are things more sinister than werewolves and uncovers details about her father’s disappearance while making new friendships and love interests. This exciting, plot-driven story will appeal to young teens struggling to find themselves and fit in. While Artie’s quick acceptance that her mother is a werewolf seems a bit unbelievable, readers will easily overlook it. Artie is well developed; the supporting characters are less fleshed out but help move the action forward. The complicated family history and dynamics among some of the adults are genuine and relatable. The full-color, realistic illustrations are appealing, and the palette helps establish the tone for the different settings. Artie and her mother are Black.