Tema Encarnacion

Secrets of the Moon Tema Encarnacion

In her debut novel, Secrets of the Moon, Tema Encarnación tells the compelling stories of young Luz and her mother, Esperanza, as they each flee violence in El Salvador and are reunited in los Estados Unidos. Through alternating narratives, a poignant tale unfolds as mother and daughter reveal why they emigrated to the United States and the sacrifices they made to start a new life there. In search of safety, Esperanza leaves her six-year-old daughter behind in El Salvador and moves to Maryland. Although she intends to send for her daughter in short order, six years pass before they are reunited. At age twelve, Luz arrives in the United States a different person than her mother expects, and they struggle to build a new relationship in an often unwelcoming country. Luz eloquently expresses the common feelings of abandonment and loss associated with being left when a parent is forced to emigrate. Adding to the complexity, Luz encounters significant hardship while journeying to join her mother and struggles to deal with its aftermath. Secrets of the Moon is an earnest, sometimes painful, yet hopeful tale that mirrors the experiences of countless families seeking safety from extreme violence in Central America. This novel shows what it means to sacrifice for family and future and rebuild, and will enthrall young adult and adult readers alike.