Red Moon, White Moon – Middle Grade Fantasy Novel

Chapter One A Mundane Life

High School—ugh. It seemed as though the popular crowd enjoyed it, probably because of the unlimited social interactions it provided them. But for me it was nothing more than a giant cesspool of snobby, self-centered, browbeating parasites. The social divisions never changed. It always puzzled me how the most popular, privileged brats got to decide how everyone else was to be treated. What joy it would bring to my soul to see the socialites squirm on the bus ride to school, not knowing what torment awaited them. Instead, I was the one encased in that yellow casket, being delivered by its balding, overweight driver, to the vultures in the schoolyard.

While the bus made its rounds, picking up the school’s victims, I couldn’t help but notice the look of despair we all shared. Every face wore the same anxious look, up to the final stop. The last one to climb aboard the chariot of torture was Kevin, who had been my best friend since kindergarten. In fact, as I thought about it, he had been my only friend since kindergarten. He was a tall kid with pale skin, shaggy hair, and a love for black clothing. Besides the obvious reasons that made him a target, he had the ultimate curse: his last name was McCool. The countless hours of torture he endured by the browbeaters for his last name alone would rival those of the rest of the passengers combined. Still, he never allowed the bullying to bother him. He always wore a bright smile on his face and was constantly preoccupied by his obsession with horror folklore, role-playing games, and the string of killings by wild beasts making news in the state. I found his logic behind it unhinged, and I hoped he didn’t bring it up this morning.

As Kevin made his way to the rear of the bus, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for myself. I was fifteen and handsome enough. My sandy-blond hair, blue eyes, big smile, and trendy clothes should have scored me a place with the more popular crowd. Yet I was still exiled to dwell amongst the castaways. I often wondered if it was my association with Kevin that kept me out of the in-crowd; however, betrayal of our friendship was never an option. He had always been there for me, and, even then, I knew a friend of that magnitude came around once in a lifetime. All the superficial acquaintances in the world wouldn’t justify throwing that out the window, even if it meant I would no longer be on the receiving end of the browbeaters’ hostility.

“Chamberlain High School, here we come.” Kevin plunked down into the seat next to me and dropped his backpack on the floor.

“Oh boy,” I said, “a new school year, same old agony.”
“Come on, Connell. It’s going to be different this year. We’re not the freshmen.” Kevin sounded so confident I almost wanted to believe him, but I knew better.

The last time I bought into that crap was our final year of middle school. Eighth grade was supposed to be our break-out year, the year where it was our turn to rule. Instead, we found ourselves at the beck and call of sixth and seventh graders who were considered cool enough to hang out with the popular eighth graders. In fact, it got so bad that year that Kevin once had his head dunked into a toilet for their amusement.

“You’ve said that every first day of school since the fourth grade, but nothing changes. The popular kids rule the school, and we’re the doormats. When are you going to wake up and face reality? I know I don’t have to remind you about eighth grade, do I?”

“It’s just a gut feeling.” He leaned back and put his knees up on the back of the seat in front of him. “This year is going to be different. I can’t put my finger on it, but something enormous is going to occur for the both of us.”

“Well, I’ll believe that when I see it,” I said.

“Hey, that reminds me, can you believe there was another attack last night,” he said, pulling out his journal of newspaper clippings.

“Kevin, how many times do we have to go over this? They’re either wild dogs or some crazy cult of sick individuals,” I reminded him, pushing the clippings away from my face.

Slamming the journal on his lap he sighed and said, “Why are you so closed- minded? Can’t you see the pattern? They only attack during full moons.”

“So what? My dad used to tell me that Mom acted crazy every full moon—does that mean she went around murdering people?”

Rolling his eyes and turning the page, Kevin responded, “Why do you always go there? I think you joke about it to cover up how much that situation still haunts you.”

<End of Page 2 of Chapter One – Red Moon, White Moon>

To read the full book click on the links below to download or read online.

Want to find more books like this one? Check out our Older Children category.

Goldilocks – What Ever Happened to Her? - A very cute beautifully illustrated rhyming tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Gabriel Rosenstock has given life to this classic tale, illustrated by Beatrice Dvilnsky. Suggested age range 4 to 8 years. Text from Goldilocks – What Ever Happened to Her? Who goes there? It’s Mommy Bear, Daddy Bear, and Baby Bear. They often ...

Top 10 Affordable Family Tracking Apps - In an ever-connected world where every second counts, keeping tabs on loved ones isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Family tracking apps play a pivotal role in this, helping families stay in touch, coordinate plans, and ensure the safety of their members. The challenge, however, is finding an app that’s not only effective but also ...

7 Simple Techniques Students Can Use to Practice Digital Mindfulness in 2023 - Thanks to the internet, the world has indeed become a global village. By simply using the internet regardless of location, a student at any academic level can make payments, enroll in an online course, find entertainment, and work remotely. All this can be done in the comfort of a couch while wearing pajamas. Yes, there ...

Top 15 Tips for Fostering Cultural Diversity in Class - Cultural appreciation is a sensitive yet essential topic for academicians. Even though schools ought to incorporate it in their curriculum, the mode of approach to be considered matters. As a result, we have curated helpful tips to consider during the process, regardless of the diverse learning environments. These tips also serve different interests without making ...

Tips to Cultivate a Positive Morning Mindset - While some individuals are perfect early risers, others find mornings challenging. Sometimes, you may wake up not ready to face the day. Bad mornings are normal; however, you can still turn them around with a positive attitude. Sometimes, a negative attitude fuels a bad mood in the morning. A cheerful morning mindset helps you remain ...

What Can the Best Essay Writing Services Offer You? - In today’s fast-paced academic and professional world, the demand for high-quality written content has never been greater. Whether you’re a student looking to enhance your assignments, a professional needing a flawless report, or just someone wanting to perfect your writing skills, essay writing services have become a helpful tool. But what can the best of ...

What to Do If a Student Cannot Cope with Their Assignments? - For students across the globe, academic assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming. Balancing multiple tasks, managing time, and understanding complex topics can lead to stress. You’re not alone if you’re a student struggling to cope with your assignments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating such challenges and finding a pathway to academic success. 1. Self-assessment and ...

Bulli and the Tiger - Bulli is a little girl growing up in a bamboo-weavers’ community. Bulli finds her father troubled and discovers the bamboo suppliers threatened to raise the rates and put their whole village in jeopardy. Bulli looks for other ways of finding bamboo, and ends up facing the legendary tiger! Will the villagers find another way? Shalini ...

Focus and Concentration for Students: Why Is It So Important? - In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s become increasingly difficult for people, especially students, to maintain steady focus and concentration. We’ve been conditioned to expect instant gratification, with smartphones buzzing every few minutes and countless notifications flooding our screens. For students, this can be particularly problematic. But why exactly is concentration so paramount, and what happens ...

Where to Find the Best Writing Service for Yourself? - Have you ever thought about using a ghostwriter? Or perhaps you are an illustrator looking for content? Read on in this comprehensive guide on selecting a writing service. In the digital age, the demand for writing services has grown exponentially. Whether you’re a student seeking assistance with an essay or a business professional needing content ...

See more middle-grade fantasy here: https://freekidsbooks.org/?s=middle+grade+fantasy, or check out our Fantasy section.

Goldilocks – What Ever Happened to Her? - A very cute beautifully illustrated rhyming tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Gabriel Rosenstock has given life to this classic tale, illustrated by Beatrice Dvilnsky. Suggested age range 4 to 8 years. Text from Goldilocks – What Ever Happened to Her? Who goes there? It’s Mommy Bear, Daddy Bear, and Baby Bear. They often ...

Top 10 Affordable Family Tracking Apps - In an ever-connected world where every second counts, keeping tabs on loved ones isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Family tracking apps play a pivotal role in this, helping families stay in touch, coordinate plans, and ensure the safety of their members. The challenge, however, is finding an app that’s not only effective but also ...

7 Simple Techniques Students Can Use to Practice Digital Mindfulness in 2023 - Thanks to the internet, the world has indeed become a global village. By simply using the internet regardless of location, a student at any academic level can make payments, enroll in an online course, find entertainment, and work remotely. All this can be done in the comfort of a couch while wearing pajamas. Yes, there ...

Top 15 Tips for Fostering Cultural Diversity in Class - Cultural appreciation is a sensitive yet essential topic for academicians. Even though schools ought to incorporate it in their curriculum, the mode of approach to be considered matters. As a result, we have curated helpful tips to consider during the process, regardless of the diverse learning environments. These tips also serve different interests without making ...

Tips to Cultivate a Positive Morning Mindset - While some individuals are perfect early risers, others find mornings challenging. Sometimes, you may wake up not ready to face the day. Bad mornings are normal; however, you can still turn them around with a positive attitude. Sometimes, a negative attitude fuels a bad mood in the morning. A cheerful morning mindset helps you remain ...

What Can the Best Essay Writing Services Offer You? - In today’s fast-paced academic and professional world, the demand for high-quality written content has never been greater. Whether you’re a student looking to enhance your assignments, a professional needing a flawless report, or just someone wanting to perfect your writing skills, essay writing services have become a helpful tool. But what can the best of ...

What to Do If a Student Cannot Cope with Their Assignments? - For students across the globe, academic assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming. Balancing multiple tasks, managing time, and understanding complex topics can lead to stress. You’re not alone if you’re a student struggling to cope with your assignments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating such challenges and finding a pathway to academic success. 1. Self-assessment and ...

Bulli and the Tiger - Bulli is a little girl growing up in a bamboo-weavers’ community. Bulli finds her father troubled and discovers the bamboo suppliers threatened to raise the rates and put their whole village in jeopardy. Bulli looks for other ways of finding bamboo, and ends up facing the legendary tiger! Will the villagers find another way? Shalini ...

Focus and Concentration for Students: Why Is It So Important? - In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s become increasingly difficult for people, especially students, to maintain steady focus and concentration. We’ve been conditioned to expect instant gratification, with smartphones buzzing every few minutes and countless notifications flooding our screens. For students, this can be particularly problematic. But why exactly is concentration so paramount, and what happens ...

Where to Find the Best Writing Service for Yourself? - Have you ever thought about using a ghostwriter? Or perhaps you are an illustrator looking for content? Read on in this comprehensive guide on selecting a writing service. In the digital age, the demand for writing services has grown exponentially. Whether you’re a student seeking assistance with an essay or a business professional needing content ...