The Moon Within

In this modern tale resonating with themes from Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?, debut author Aida Salazar presents the life of Celi Rivera, a girl grappling with the complexities of friendship, family, and adolescence. Set against the backdrop of present-day Oakland, Celi faces questions about her changing body, her feelings for a boy, and her best friend's journey exploring gender fluidity. Central to her story is the tension surrounding her mother's wishes for a moon ceremony to mark Celi’s first period, an ancestral Mexican rite she is determined to resist. Through intuitive and evocative verse, Salazar captures Celi's quest for self-discovery and empowerment.