Guarding the Moon
A Mother's First Year
By Francesca Lia Block 

     Guarding the Moon is a refreshing look at motherhood in which children and young adult author, Francesca Lia Block, expresses how she began to see the world in a fresh, sometimes startling, new light.

     Block gives her fans, along with a new group of readers (mothers), an insight into her first year as a mother. Her words flow effortlessly as she shares giving birth and caring for her new baby, whom she has dubbed "the moon." The author also expresses how she felt going through the changes in her life and her body. She also writes about the things that were happening in her life during that year.

     "I feel as if I have been called on to guard the moon herself. A moon with dimples and a tiny crooked grin. A moon with the sweetest scent emanating from the soft spot on the top of her round head-a smell sweeter than honey or flowers. How do you do this? How do you safely carry the moon around on this earth?"

     In diary-like fashion with sections titled after the moon's various placements (New, Crescent, Dark and Light, Half, Full), Block talks about life and motherhood. Readers will learn a bit more about Block's personal life as a new parent and a pet owner. Her words are poetic and sometimes colorful, most of all they are as pure and honest as the baby moon she is guarding.

     Guarding the Moon is a wonderful gift for mothers of all generations and an extra special gift for expectant mothers.