Luna is a wonderful, relatable character.
She is smart, loves books, writing and the diary she is encouraged to keep, helps to centre her when her mind is whirring.
It has been five weeks since Luna’s last entry. So much has happened during that time.
Luna and her Mum have become dog walkers.
Their persistence and lots of advertising found them customers.
The income helps them financially, and the activity replaces the longing Luna has for a dog of her own.The pair walk all dog breeds, and dogs large or small. It is the latter that Luna is responsible for. Safety first!
They follow the same familiar route each day, passing the community library, always full of books.
But it is the school library Luna loves best. On Mondays she is Library Monitor, a role she shares with Jade, who has slowly grown into a friend after a long time of unexplained friction between them. Luna has learnt to accept Jade’s bossy attitude with a smile.
Today it is Luna’s turn to scan the returned items. Jade is not pleased at being reminded about this by Luna.
Circumstances allow Jade to share a secret with Luna. Explaining she has dyslexia, and defining what that means, brings the two closer.
Luna must think of an alternative way to return the books when the computer plays up. As the line grows longer and the murmuring louder, she has a light bulb moment!
Jade and Luna’s friendship is tested when Luna sees Amy’s invitation to Jade’s birthday party. How come she hasn’t been given one?
Luna is forced to accept that sometimes things are not what they seem; that the imagination can harm relationships if both sides of an issue are not examined.
At the core of this series are several themes: friendships – their immeasurable value, how to make and keep them, and all the things you learn about yourself and others as you travel that fragile path.
Another pivotal point is language linked to books, libraries, and learning. This is subtly insistent throughout the story.
I love this optimistic series with its warmth that encourages children to have a close relationship to books and libraries. Hats off to Michelle Conn whose illustrations add additional warmth to an already toasty book.
Title: Luna's World Bk #2 - Friendship Fail
Author: Hayley Gannon
Illustrator: Michelle Conn
Publisher: Affirm, $ 14.99
Publication Date: 9 July 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978192299772
For ages: 6 – 9
Type: Junior Fiction
