Silver is the Moon is a true story about a girl born blind on the island of Corsica in 1923. Josée grows up surrounded by a loving family on a farm not far from the sea. She feels like all the other kids in the village until they go to school, and she can’t join them.
To compensate, Josée’s family reads to her every day to show her the world until she learns to read Braille on her own. Josée is inspired by all the characters she meets, and one day, takes courage from Little Red Riding Hood when she volunteers to carry a suitcase by train for the French Resistance.
Audio book sample
Sample of Audio Version, read by Ellie Wallwork.
ONE SHEET INFORMATION
56 Pages, Color Illustrations, 8x10” Hardcover
Copyright © 2025 Jennifer Durrant / Published by JJD Books in 2025
All rights reserved. Illustrations by Magdalena Żołnierowicz
Library of Congress: 2025904827 ISBN: 979-8-218-63502-2
This debut book by Jennifer Durrant, Silver is the Moon is a 1350-word nonfiction picture book for ages 7 to 11, appealing to children who are interested in books like The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton which tell true stories about people who made new things, acted out, or removed obstacles from their path in order to make a difference. The book also provides material for elementary school teachers to build lessons on disabilities, biographies, and historical events.
KEY SELLING POINTS
This illustrated children’s book (ages 7-11 ) has a timeless message that will resonate with readers of all ages, making it a book with a multi-generational appeal.
1. The inspirational theme of overcoming difficulty with courage is conveyed through the words and story. It shares the timeless message of the importance of courageously believing in ourselves. The main message is: If we can imagine something, we can make it possible.
2. The story teaches readers of all ages about what it is like to be born blind and learn to live independently. It gives the reader a perspective of what life is like for someone who is blind to be among other children, go to school, learn to read, do everyday things, and finally, accomplish things that are challenging for everyone.
3. It reveals the importance of reading by showing how stories and their characters influence and inspire us to think, feel, and act, and develop empathy for others. It also demonstrates the ways that reading allows us to experience the world from anywhere.
4. The story reveals the importance of communities working together to resist and fight for values we believe in.
5. The back matter contains teaching material about disabilities, blindness adaptive technologies, and the historical context of the story: World War II, French Resistance, V for Victory, and the location, Corsica, France.
6. The book is beautifully illustrated and of high production quality by award-winning illustrator Magdalena Żołnierowicz.
Josée Andrei in San Francisco. All Photography by © J.Durrant, except bottom far left
REVIEWS
“As an educator, I am always looking for ways to incorporate stories on disability and blindness that are both positive and educational. Silver is the Moon provides a story with a positive representation of blindness and so much context that I can use to teach about history, current events, determination and courage. The story of Josée is truly amazing and awe-inspiring. I look forward to sharing this story with my blind and non-blind students alike!”
—Dr. Conchita Hernández Legorreta, Educational Consultant
“I love this book so much. Not only is the writing very moving, but I absolutely love the beautiful illustrations and how much historical information there is. I’m so inspired by Josée. I’m surprised that a young, blind girl could make such an amazingly courageous and risky journey.”
—Eva A., 9 years old
Sample pages
Sample Pages
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Coming soon
Audio & video versions coming soon
Second-grade Class Biography Unit
Sophie, age seven, Silver is the Moon Book Report
