The day she meets Sadira, Farrin’s life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise, and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?
Based on real-life events, multi-award winning author Deborah Ellis’s new book is a tense and riveting story about a world where homosexuality is considered so abhorrent that it is punishable by death.
Goodreads Summary
It's hard to imagine the setting and events going on during this life, but the author does this very well. Ellis had me believing in the scenes in the book and the characters she created. I think she did a wonderful job researching for this book. I can't imagine living Farrin's life. She is a brave, strong girl trying to figure out her sexuality and individuality in a country that would oppress it. I loved how Ellis developed her character; she had me rooting for Farrin through the entire novel.
This is a tale of girl meets girl in a time when it is illegal for them to love each other. Sadira's character was charismatic, intelligent, and attractive. I could easily see why Farrin fell in love with her regardless of her conservative and religious parents (especially her mother who isn't so fond of her). I really enjoyed their relationship and was horrified when they were arrested and set for execution. This book really makes you feel what the characters are feeling. Ellis accomplishes her purpose. This book is recommended to adult readers.
4 Stars
GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Welcome to Day 5 of the SECRETS OF MOON AT NINE BLOG TOUR, featuring Moon at Nine – a timely new YA novel from humanitarian and award-winning author Deborah Ellis. Each stop on the 2-week tour will feature revealing posts, a chance to win a copy of the novel, and a chance to enter the grand prize giveaway!
Secrets of Googoosh
By Deborah Ellis
Faegheh Atashin is an Iranian pop singer who goes by the stage name of Googoosh. She has a long history of entertaining and contributing to the amazing cultural landscape of the Iranian people. In February of this year, she released a video to accompany her song Behesht, which means Heaven. The video shows a woman expressing her feelings for her beloved, and at the end it is revealed that her beloved is another woman.
This is an unprecedented video for an Iranian singer. Over a million Iranians have viewed it on-line or with illegal satellite dishes. The response, Googoosh says, has been tremendous.
Iran is one of the many countries on earth where it is illegal to be lesbian or gay. It is easy to get complacent here in Canada, where the battles fought by those who went before us have made it possible for us to marry, have protection before the courts and live our lives in the ordinary way that heterosexual people do. It is important for us to remember that in many countries, being lesbian or gay can land you in jail for years, sometimes for decades. Sometimes for your whole life. Sometimes, it will cost you your life, as some countries still put lesbian and gay people to death.
Moon At Nine takes place in 1988, but horrific conditions for lesbian and gay Iranians still exist in Iran. It is likely that the Iranian government, like most governments, is years behind where the Iranian people are in their thinking and their outlook.
Googoosh is using her considerable musical and artistic skills to bring new light into people's thinking. I applaud what she has done.
Googoosh will be coming to Toronto this June 21, to perform a concert at the Air Canada Centre. She is a woman of great courage and we are privileged that she is coming to Canada.
About Moon at Nine:
Fifteen-year-old Farrin has many secrets. Although she goes to a school for gifted girls in Tehran, as the daughter of an aristocratic mother and wealthy father Farrin must keep a low profile. It is 1988; ever since the Shah was overthrown, the deeply conservative and religious government controls every facet of life in Iran. If the Revolutionary Guard finds out about her mother’s Bring Back the Shah activities, her family could be thrown in jail or worse.
The day she meets Sadira, Farrin’s life changes forever. Sadira is funny, wise and outgoing; the two girls become inseparable. But as their friendship deepens into romance, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be a homosexual in Iran; the punishment is death. Despite their efforts to keep their love secret, the girls are discovered and arrested. Separated from Sadira, Farrin can only pray as she awaits execution. Will her family find a way to save them both?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
***
Enter below to win a copy of Moon at Nine!
***Stop by Loving the Language of Literacy on Monday for the next stop on the SECRETS OF MOON AT NINE BLOG TOUR and another chance to win!***
Secrets of Moon at Nine Blog Tour Schedule:
April 28th: Buried in Books
April 29th: Candace's Book Blog
April 30th: VVB32Reads
May 1st: Read Now Sleep Later
May 2nd: LiveToRead
May 5th: Loving the Language of Literacy
May 6th: AmithaKnight.com
May 7th: From A to Z
May 8th: Manga Maniac Café
May 9th: Bookish
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Deborah Ellis:
Deborah Ellis is the internationally acclaimed author of nearly thirty books for children and young people, most of which explore themes of social justice and courage. A peace activist, feminist, and humanitarian, Deborah has won many national and international awards for her books, including the Governor General’s Award, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award, the American Library Association’s Notable List and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. In 2010, she received the Ontario Library Association President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement. Deborah lives in Ontario, Canada.
GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY
At each stop along the tour, readers will have a chance to enter the grand prize giveaway.
The Prize: One winner will receive (1) a set of 10 Deborah Ellis books, and (2) Pajama Press will make a $100 donation in their name to one of five charities: Canadian Women 4 Women in Afghanistan, UNICEF Canada, Street Kids International, Leprosy Mission - Canada, or IBBY - Children in Crisis Fund. (You can learn more about these charities at stop #2 on the tour.)
The 10 books included in the prize pack are:
- Moon at Nine
- True Blue
- Looks Like Daylight: Voices of Indigenous Kids
- No Safe Place
- My name is Parvana
- Lunch With Lenin and Other Short Stories
- A Company of Fools
- Our Stories Our Songs: African Children Talk about AIDS,
- Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children speak
- Annaleise Carr: How I Conquered Lake Ontario to Help Kids Battling Cancer (By Annaleise Carr with Deborah Ellis)
US/Canada only please. Enter using the rafflecopter below! Ends May 12th at 11:59 pm EST.
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ
Posts
like the friendship part