Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech Summary

Walk Two Moons follows thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle on a cross-country road trip with her grandparents to Idaho to visit her mother. Along the journey, Sal tells her grandparents the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother mysteriously disappeared. Through this nested storytelling, Sal gradually reveals the truth about her own mother's death in a bus accident and comes to terms with her grief and denial.

Walk Two Moons was written by Sharon Creech and published by HarperCollins in 1994. The novel won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1995, awarded to the best children's book published in the United States. Sharon Creech became the first person to win both the American Newbery Medal and the British Carnegie Medal, making her a groundbreaking figure in children's literature.

Walk Two Moons is ideal for middle school readers ages 10-14 who are exploring themes of loss, grief, and identity. The novel is widely taught in elementary and middle schools worldwide as it addresses universal experiences of dealing with death, learning not to judge others, and connecting with family. Readers who appreciate layered storytelling, coming-of-age narratives, and emotionally resonant characters will find this book particularly meaningful.

Walk Two Moons remains a classic worth reading decades after its 1994 publication, earning its place as required reading in schools worldwide. The novel's exploration of grief, acceptance, and empathy through Sal's journey resonates with readers experiencing loss or family changes. Sharon Creech's masterful use of parallel storytelling—where Sal's narrative mirrors Phoebe's story—creates layers of meaning that reward careful reading and make it a timeless contribution to children's literature.

The central message of Walk Two Moons is captured in the Native American proverb: "Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins." Through Sal's journey, Sharon Creech teaches readers about empathy, understanding others' perspectives, and accepting painful truths. The novel emphasizes that everyone carries hidden struggles and that coming to terms with loss—rather than remaining in denial—is essential for healing and moving forward.

Sal's mother left after suffering a miscarriage and undergoing a hysterectomy, which left her deeply depressed and questioning her identity. She needed to travel west to figure out who she was beyond being a mother, as having children was central to her sense of self. Sal initially believes her mother abandoned the family, but eventually learns that her mother died in a bus accident in Lewiston, Idaho, and never intended to leave permanently.

"Walk two moons in his moccasins" is a Native American proverb meaning you shouldn't judge someone until you've experienced life from their perspective. In Walk Two Moons, this phrase appears as one of the mysterious messages left on Phoebe's porch and becomes the novel's guiding principle. Sal applies this wisdom by walking in her mother's footsteps—literally retracing her journey to Idaho—which helps her understand her mother's struggles and find empathy rather than anger.

Sal's mother dies in a bus accident near Lewiston, Idaho, over a year before the novel's main events. The bus crashed over a cliff while her mother was on a sightseeing tour, with only one passenger—Margaret Cadaver—surviving. Throughout most of Walk Two Moons, Sal remains in denial about her mother's death, telling herself that her mother is simply away and will return, until she finally visits her mother's grave and accepts the truth.

Phoebe Winterbottom is Sal's friend in Euclid, Ohio, whose story Sal tells her grandparents during their road trip. Phoebe's mother suddenly disappears, leaving mysterious messages on their porch, and Phoebe becomes convinced that a strange young man is a "lunatic" threatening their family. Phoebe's experience of her mother leaving parallels Sal's own story, helping Sal process her grief by seeing her situation reflected in someone else's life.

Walk Two Moons is appropriate for readers ages 10-14 and is commonly taught in elementary and middle school classrooms. The novel addresses mature themes including death, grief, miscarriage, and family separation in an age-appropriate way that resonates with young adolescents. While the emotional depth makes it suitable for middle grade readers, the accessible writing style and coming-of-age story also appeal to younger advanced readers and reluctant older readers seeking meaningful content.

Walk Two Moons explores themes of grief and acceptance as Sal comes to terms with her mother's death. The novel examines judgment versus empathy, teaching readers to understand others before criticizing them. Additional themes include:

• The parent-child relationship
• The healing power of storytelling
• Connection to nature and place (particularly the Kentucky farm)
• The journey from denial to acceptance

Sharon Creech also weaves in themes of identity, love, and finding oneself after loss.

Walk Two Moons ends with Sal reaching her mother's grave in Lewiston, Idaho, on her mother's birthday and finally accepting her death. Tragically, Sal's grandmother Gram dies from complications after suffering a stroke during the journey. Sal, her father, and Gramps return to their farm in Bybanks, Kentucky, finding comfort in being home. The novel concludes hopefully, with Sal's friends from Euclid—including Phoebe and Margaret Cadaver—planning to visit, showing Sal's emotional growth and renewed connections.